Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-04
Speakers Secretary Author of
Newspaper Criticism.
ARTICLE IN CHICAGO PAPER
Chairman of Appropriations Com
mittee Charged With Response
bility for Reduction in Ap-
preparation for Wilkes
Bureau-"An Action
Against the Inter
ests of Law-Abid-
ing People"

Unusual attention was paid in the House
of Representatives today to the reading
Of the message from the President, reply
ing to resolution of that body calling
upon him for an explanation Of the in
timation in his annual message that MEM
vestigated by the secret service. The
galleries were packed to the doors, and
their occupants likewise exhibited the
greatest interest in what the President
had to say.
Promptly at noon Mr.. Latta, one Of the
Presidents secretaries, was at the main
door Of the chamber bearing the message
which was read as soon as the Italian re-
lief measure was put through.
Tho Presidents specific references to
certain speeches by Messrs. Tawney,
Smith. Sherley and Fitzgerald, when the
provision for the restriction of the op-
erations of the secret service was up for
discussion. and also to Mr. Busbey, the
Speakers private secretary, created a
stoi m OF laughter. The Speaker several
times vigorously raped for order
The Presidents Message.
To the House Of Representatives:
L have received the resolution Of the
House OF Representatives of December IL,
1908. running as follows
Whereas there was contained in the
sundry civil appropriation bill which
passed Congress at its last session and
Si in rnfQ
TO the employment of the secret service
i'll the Treasury Department.: and
Whereas in the last annual message
of the President of the United States to
the two houses of Congress II was stated
in reference to that provision: 1t is not
too much to say that this amendment
has been of benefit only, and could be of
benefit only. to the criminal classes and
it was further stated. The chief argu-
ment in favor OF the provision was that
the congressman did not themselves
wish to be investigated by secret service
men, and it was further stated: But II
this is not considered desirable a special
exception could be made in the law
prohibiting the use of the secret service
force in investigating members of Con-
gress. 1t would be far better to do this
than to do what actually was done, and
strive TO prevent or at least to hamper
effective action against criminals by the
executive branch of the government and
Whereas the plain meaning of the
above words is that the majority of the
congressman We're in fear of being inves-
tigated by secret service men and that
Congress as a whole was actuated by
that motive in enacting the provision in
question; and
Whereas your committee appointed to
consider these statements OF the Presi-
dent and to report to the House cannot
find in the hearings before committees
nor in the records of the House or Sem
ate any justification of this impeach-
nent OF the honor and integrity rof the
Congress: and
whereas YOUR committee would prefer.
IN order to make an intelligent and COM
prehensive report, just to the President
well as TO the Congress. to have all
the information which the President
may have to communicate NOW there
fore
BE 1t resolved. That the President be
requested To- transmit TO the House any
evidence upon which he based his state-
ments that the chief argument In favor
OF the provision was that the congress
men did not themselves wish TO De IN
vestigated. by secret service. men, and
also to transmit 10 the House any evil
dence connecting any memDer or the
House Of Representatives OF the SlXtieth
Congress with corrupt action in his OFF,
cal capacity and TO inform the House
whether ne has instituted proceed iiSs
for the punishment OF any such tndNio-
ual by the courts has reported any
Of Representatives.
Made No Charges.
am wholly at loss to understand
the concluding portion of the resolut: on
have made no charges OF corruption
against Congress nor against any member
of the present House. IL | had proof or
such corruption affecting any member Of
the House in any matter as to which the
federal government has jurisdiction, ac-
on would al once be brought. as was
done III the cases of Senators Mitchell and
Burton and Representatives Williamson
Hermann and briggs at different times
since ] have been President.
This would simply he doing my duty in
the execution and reinforcement of the
laws without respect TO persons. But 1
do not regard IL as within the province
or the duties Of the President to report to
rhe House alleged delinquencies'' of
members. or the supposed corrupt ac-
ton OF membe. in Lis official capac-
ty. The membership OF the ,l6Gse - by
the Constitution placed wi:Fip the la.wer
OF the House alone. In The prosecution of
criminals and the Enforcement Of the laws
the President must resort u Iae c.Grts of
the United States.
In the third and fourth clauses OF the
preamble ii is stated hat the meaning o.
my words is that the majority OF TIE