Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-08

would, therefore. be a thing to be de-
plored. if. as result of any unfortunate
nadvertence of language. any untoward
combination of words. expressions should
remain in his message which might be
interpreted by the people as lessening the
dignity and thereby weakening the
authority OF the Congress.
at is said in the message that criminals
should be prosecuted If found in the legis-
ative branch of the government. With
this we wholly agree. But the Presf-
dent adds. If this is not considered de-
sirable a special exception could be made
in the law prohibiting the use of secret
service officers in investigating members
of Congress-. In other words, it is sug-
gested that we pass law which will
facilitate the exposure of other criminals,
but still protect ourselves.
IF a majority of the Congress stand in
favor of the exposure of their own mis-
deeds, they would be ready to-vote for
such a law. But such is not the case,
and against it we must protest.
IF Congress listens tamely and timidly
TO reflections upon the character of its
members and it's honesty of purpose. 1t
will deserve. and it will certainly receive.
the contempt of the public. We feel that
the suggestions in. the Presidents mes
sage the Congress should refuse meekly
to receive and mildly to consider.
During long centuries our English
speaking ancestors struggled and bled
that representative government might
be established among English people. Our
revolutionary forefathers. more than a
century ago. struggled and Died that our
government should be a representative
government: that the laws of the Ameri-
can people should be passed by the repre-
sentatives chosen by the American people
THE Congress OF the United States to-
day exists as a result OF centuries of
struggle for popular government. Let
every man who is a member of 1t vote
N W hich
seems to him most worthy of the tradi-
tons of which We are the heirs, of the
institutions of which we are the protec-
tors. and of the people of whom We are
the representatives"
AS was the case when he first spoke on
the question before the holidays. Mr.. Per-
kins was frequently interrupted by ap-
plause.
Driscou Urges Time to Cool.
When Mr.. Perkins had concluded, Mr.
Driscoll rep. N. " was recognized by
the chair for the purpose of suggesting
that the report of the special committee
be permitted to stand over for week In
order that the members on both sides of
the chamber have opportunity to ''cool
down. as he colloquially expressed it. He
asked the House if it would not be wise
to do this
Mr.. Perkins, replying to the gentleman
from New York, expressed the opinion
that he did not think 1t would be wise.
Mr. Mann rep. Ill3 remarked in an
audible tone without rising to his feet:
You are the only excited member of
the House."
This utterance occasioned some little
merriment.
DENLY Is Applauded.
Mr. Perkins then yielded the floor to
Mr.. DENLY Mich), who discussed the
issue with dignity. He was occasionally
interrupted by handclapping.
Mr.. DENLY said he considered this mat
ter to be the most painful duty that he
had been called upon to perform since
becoming member of the House He
spoke of the Presidents language as used
in his secret service message as highly
offensive" and suggested that the char
acter of the Presidents last message was
unworthy of him and unbefitting his
high office"
Mr.. DENLY regretted that the President
had seen fit to mention members by name.
He acknowledged the Presidents right to
crieclse legislation, to point out errors
and to suggest remedies. But he thought
that to question the motives of members
of Congress was to strike at the very
foundations Of the United States govern
ment
He thought the practice of criticising
members of Congress by name would
hereafter be honored more in the breach
than In the observance. He regretted the
personal abuse. speculation and innuendo
in the Presidents message, and was
glad the House would not see fit to reply
in kind.
He thought the most distressing of the
regrettable incident was that the Presi-
dent should have so little appreciated the
effect Of his own words.
"a Message From the President"
Just as Mr.. DENLY concluded, Mr.. Latta,
assistant secretary to the President en-
tered the main door Of the House and ad-
vanced down the aisle as one Of the
clerks cried to the speaker:
Mr.. Speaker a message from the Presi-
dent"
This remark. considered quite apropos,
occasioned more merriment.
Bennett Champions President.
Mr.. Bennett of New York took the floor
to oppose the resolution of the special
committee. Mr.. Bennett said that he
arose to discuss the matter without heat
and bitterness and In the spirit benefitting
an occasion which had no parallel in forty
years.
He said he held the membership and
dignity of the House in the highest esteem.
But he wanted to express regret at the
introduction Of the resolution. His con-
stitutents had not become excited over
the message.
IF the House had taken no notice of
this declared Mr.. Bennett the country
would have forgotten it in twenty-four
hours" A loud murmur of dissent from
both sides of the chamber greeted this
statement.
Mr.. Bennett said the action contemplated
by the House would present little Of his
torical significance. The study of his
tory, twenty-five years hence, will find
that today's action had not detracted
from the appreciation of President Roose-
velt's character
Mr.. Bennett then advanced his own eX-
PLANTATION of the Presidents possible mo-
tive in making his commentary upon the
action of the committee on appropriations
and of the House. He suggested that it
might have been possible that the Pres-
view that it could protect its own member
ship without aid or investigation from
outside sources.
This suggestion was not received with
any demonstration on the part of the
House.
Burleson and Mccall Amuse.
An amusing colloquy occurred between
Mr.. Mccall of Massachusetts, and Mr.
Burleson of Texas over the status of
measure of legislation once before the
House exempting members of Congress
from the terms of a proposed law pro-
hibiting giving out advance information
of government secrets.
Mr.. Burlesson declared that the gentle
man from Massachusetts was wrong in
his recollection Of the affair. Mr.. Mccall
l. IT