Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-17
VOTE is 81 AYES, IL NAYS
Senator Cummins Vigorously De-
tends Presidents Action.
CONDEMNS THE AMENDMENT
Declares That the Committees Ac-
ton Will Be Recognized as An
other Assault on Roosevelt.

Senate this morning. continuing the debate
upon the naval appropriation bill. and
opposing the committee amendment restor-
ing marines to the warships. He con-
tinued:
They are free from the atmosphere
that reeks with criticism Of him. They
admire an official resolute and courageous
enough to grapple with the problems of
these times with all the ability of a strong
and resolute man. and they believe when
the history of this decade is written in
future times and the historian records his
deeds he will be the towering figure of his
time
Notwithstanding the spirited defense of
the Presidents action the Senate, by
a vote Of 81 to L., adopted the amendment
restoring the Marine Corps to the ships
of the navy.
Delay in Assembling.
When the Senate met, an hour earlier
than usual. according to the agreement
reached before adjournment at 1920
O'Clock last night, quorum was not
present to go ahead with the considera-
ton of the naval bill. Senator Hale
chainman Of the naval committee. called
y
who had expressed a desire to have a
vote upon the marine amendment, was
absent. He suggested that If there were
any senators who cared to debate that
amendment they do SO at once in order
to save time.
Senator Cummins arose at once and
declared that he was quite ready to go
on with his speech, but that it was APP
parent that the Senate was not ready to
hear him.
Upon Mr. Hales suggestion he made a
point of no quorum, and the Vice Presi-
dent ordered the call OF the roll. At
Ills, after nine minutes had been con-
sumed in bringing senators from the COM
mittee rooms. quorum was declared
present.
Mr.. Cummns then insisted that he was
not finding fault with the amendment of
the committee out Of any hostility to the
bill, but because he believed that partic-
ular provision would mar the bill. so UNI
just and unconstitutional was 1t. He rec
ognized, and the country recognized. he
declared, that the real origin Of that
amendment was in an attempt to correct
a mistake of the President.
Assault on Roosevelt.
81 recognize it and the country will
recognize it as another assault upon
Theodore Roosevelt declared Mr.. Cum
Minis. Il hold no commission for the de-
Tense of the President Of the United
States. l bear no such relation toward
my mind any prejudice whatsoever. l
am not the beneficiary of any influence
exerted by the President Of the United
States. But my sense of justice will not
permit me to allow this matter to pass
without expressing the prediction that the
mistakes of Theodore Roosevelt will pa SIS
away from the memory Of men. 1 sup
pose he has made some mistakes. If he
has not he is far from fit associate with
the men of his time.
But any man who does much will COM
NIT mistakes" continued Mr.. Cummins.
1T is only a man who does nothing who
is free from error in this world of ours.
Further commenting on the President
and the measure under consideration, Mr..
Cummins said it would be considered as a
.'rebuke to the President Of the United
States"
MI. Hale Protests.
Rising slowly as the senator from Iowa
uttered these words Mr.. Hale said he
could not let that statement pass. 1T
has come to a very hard pass said Mr..
Hale. 'if in it's discretion over the man
agement of the large concerns of the
Navy Department. a department for
which Congress appropriates one hundred
and thirty odd millions. Congress cannot
restore a condition that existed for one
hundred years. If it cannot pass a meas
ure that is against an order OF the Presi-
dent, without the action being considered
as an assault upon him.
Il deny here in terms. and | hope L
deny for the Senate" continued Mr.. Hale.
1.-The right of any senator to take Sucn
ground as to arraign Congress, and to
declare that it is intended and that it
is the purpose of legislation passed here
to assault The chief executive. 1t is
simply the exercise by Congress of its
natural control which certainly is equal
to the control of the President over the
NAVY Department With this discIaim-
err" concluded Mr.. Hale. Il leave the
senator"
Mr. Cummins replied that he had
arisen only to call attention to what he
upon the prerOgatives, powers and pr1vl-
leges of the commander-in- chief of the
army and navy of the United States.
Senator McLaurin declared that Con
gress can give or withhold an appropria-
ton or can make it upon condition.
Tillman Refers to Charles I.
Senator TilIman sustained Mr. Hale S
attitude, and in the course of his remarks
said: This thing was fought out 200
wears ago and Charles I lost his head Cor
contending for just what the senator
from Iowa contends for
I'm view of the advancing years of the
senator from South Carolina replied Mr..
Cummins Il think the President of the
United States is safe, and I do not fear
for my own head
He held that if the argument of his
opponent was carried to the logical con-
ciusion Congress might provide that no
mart of the salary of the President might
he paid unless eight per cent of the Ma
rne Corps should be employed on the
warships, or might provide that the Ma
rine Corps should be paid only In case
the President should resign his Office.
That would be the proper way to get at
it, he said.
Senator Cummins closed his speech at
1915 o'clock, and Senator Borah of Ida
no, another of the fighting republican in
surgents, took the floor to defend the ac-
ton Of the President. Before he could
proceed, however Senator Dixon of Mon
tana made the point of no quorum. and
once more senators were dragged out of
their committee rooms to listen to the de-
bate.
Mr. Borah's legal argument in favor of
leaving the marines upon the land and
not interfering with the Presidents Or
der consumed about one hour.
The Amendment Adopted.
Upon request of Senator Lodge. who
also favors the action of the President
an aye and nay vote was taken on the
committee amendment requiring the ma
rines to be put back on the ships. The
amendment was adopted by the over
whelming majority of 80. only l. votes be-