Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1909-01-05
MESSAGE ON The
SECRET SERVICE
President Replies to Congress
SiORal Resolution.
SAYS He Old NOT HIT At HOUSE

Language In Annual Communication
Called Objectionable BY Representa-
tivss Will Stand Analysis, Declares
Executive - He Rensws His Arsu-
nent For Repeal Of Law Limiting
Activities Of Treasury Asents-citss
Cases IN Which They Have Aided
IN Punishment Of ViOIatO-s Of Fed
eFal Laws.
Washington. Jan. An a special
message 60 the house OF representa-
tives today President Roosevelt says:
To the House OF Representatives:
l have received thearesOlution OF the
house Of representatives Of Dec. Il.
1908. running as follows:
Whereas. There was contained In the
sundry civil appropriation bill which
passed congress al It's last session and be-
came a law a provision Ia reference TO the
employment OF the secret service In the
treasury department: and.
Whereas. In the last annual message OF
the president OF the United States 10 the
two houses OF congress 10 was stated In
reference TO that provision. 1T Is not too
much 70 say that this amendment has
been OF benefit only and could be OF bene-
o. ynly 10 the criminal classes" and Il
was further stated. The chief argument
IN favor OF the provision was that the
cougres.srCn did not themselves wish 10
be investigated hy secret service men. 20
and Il was Surthcr stated. But II this Is
not considered desirable a special eXcep-
ton could be made IN the law prohibiting
the use OF the secret service force On in
vestigating members or congress" IL
would be far better 90 do this than 20 do
what actually was done and strive TO
prevent or az least 90 hamper effective
action against criminals BY the executive
branch OF the government: and.
Whereas. The plain meaning OF the
above words O. that the majority Of the
congressman were 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 aues-
ton: and.
whereas. Your committee appointed 20
consider these statements OF the presi-
dent and 60 report 20 the house cannot
ind IN the hearings before committees
nor On the records % the house or SEN
ate any justification Of this impeach-
ment Of the honor and integrity Of the
congress: and.
IN order Ia make an intelligent and com
prehensive report just 90 the president
a. well as 90 the congress. 90 have all
the information which the president may
have 20 comnunlcate; now. therefore
he II resolved. That the president b.
requested 10 transmit 90 the house any
evidence upon which he based his state
ments that the chief argument IN favor
81 the provision was that the congress
men did not themselves wish 90 b. In
vcstiEat,d by secret service men" and
also Co transmit 60 the house any -
dcnCc connecting any member of &C.
house Of representatives, OF the SiNtioth
congress with corrupt action in his ON
Cial capacity and 90 inform the house
whether he has instituted proceedings for
the punishment ~ any such individual
by the courts or has reported any such
alleged delinquencies 90 the house % rep
rCsentativcs.
- Cannot Understand Resolution"
am wholly al IH-s 60 understand
the concluding r-rIon - the rrsolu-
ton. / have made uu charges u.. ."r-
ruptlon against congress nor ag.. II
any member Of the present house. n
/ had proof 81 such corruption affsct-
ing any member 81 the house in any
matter as 90 which the federal gov
eminent has jurisdiction, action would
az once De- brought. as was dome IN the
eases Of senators Mitchell ami lurtOn
and Representative Williamson Herr
mann and briggs az different times
since ] have been president This
would simply be- doing my duty bon the
execution aud enforcement ~ the laws
without respect 90 persons. But ! do
not regard 10 as Within the province
or the duties ~ the president 90 report
10 the house alleged deliuquencies"
Of members uT the supposed corrupt
action Of member I'm his uficial ca
pacity." The membership OF the
house Is by the constitution placed
within the power ~ the house alone.
ln the prosecution ~ criminals aud the
enforcement of the laws the president
must Resort to the courts % the United
states.
Portion o. Message Quoted.
In the third and fourth clauses OF the