The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-20
lvEaslEPs LEGAL lIMIT.
PRESIDENTS 'DIsAvOwALr or
SPEECH IN CONGRESS CRIT
ICIsED.
me Constitution Very Plain-pro-
vidcs That Utteranccs OF Congress
men shall Not be questioned In
Any Other Place"


a VShihkton, FeD. 1O.--The re-
uponse Of the State Department to
The protest by the Minister from Pan
anna against the speech OF Represen-
tative Henry II. Rainey. of Illinois, is
subjected TO severe criticism. in
Washington today. TIE action OF tine
et~te Department IN this matter Is
rssarded as II coming from the pres,-
cent himself and seems to he charac-
&orIstic Of that source OF inspirstio
The question OF the warrant and
Dropriety Of Representative Rssiney's
speech itself does not enter into the
discussion. That speech might or
might not have been warranted. but
the question OF It's propriety Is not
one that can properly be discussed be-
tween an executive department of the
United States Government and the
representstive Of foreign govern
went.
A strict sense OF propriety and an
appreclation OF tho dignity OF this
0overnment would preclude the az
ec2tance by the state Department OF
. communication from a foreig.. gov
ernment protesting against or crlti-
cIplng any action OF Congress or auy
member thereof. OF IL the commnn;-
coti~n were received the only re-
>pcnse to II, II any re ponse could be
sponse to II. IL any response could be
made. would be mere citation OF the
reference to the privileges and re-
sponsibilities OF members OF Con-
gress.
An apology by the executive
branch OF the Government to for
elgn power for the utterance of a
member In the Hall OF Congress.
coupled with criticism and repudia-
zion Of the utterances, trenches a.
close AZ possible upon direct VIZ
1ation Of positive mandate of the
Censt;tus'nn, which the President AMI
every osi.sr ofilcer OF the Government
has taken an oath to support and de-
fend- Such course, on the part of
Che Executive. with reference to CO.
ordinate branch of the Government.
would be greatly improper. even II
the Constitution were not to be con-
uidsrsd but the Constitution says
''rhou shalt not" II says that for
any speech or debate In either House
Senator's and Representatives shall
an ~e questioned In any other place"
Secretary Bacon displays his famii-
arity with this provision of the Con-
stisution by quoting Il in his letter.
and having quoted 1t. disregards its
mandate by repudiation' OF and apol-
ogy for the speech complained of.
Congress has become so accustom-
cd TO Mr.. Rooseveits methods and
mGaners as not to be surprised or
shocked at any lack CT dignity or of
prdpriety on hts part and his unof-
scat criticism of men both In and
out Of Congress excites no special
-cnsideration except perhaps by some
of those he has personally affronted.
Attacks on public men. such as that
ubsn Senator Perkins In recent let
Ger to the Speaker Of the California
Assembly are regarded more or less
with contempt by men In Congress.
and membership In tho Ananias Club.
~ Mr.. Roosevelt's nomination and
ele<tion. does not carry with It the
e,siepute which attaches to a charge
Of falsehood made by a responsible
person.
In this instance. however. there is
presented formal Official action /,
violation of provision OF the Con-
stitution which Ia cited In the very
oct OF violence. and 1t is
therefore deliberate. 1t moreover
Invites from foreign government
sentiments OF contempt for utterances
m the american Congress. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has been protected
from officisi reputation of his acts
by Congress through desire to avoid
placing the Chief Executive OF the
United States In q humiliating posi-
tioa with reference to fereign coun-
trin. This was conspicuous In the
adjustment OF the san DOMINICAN nf-
fair when a treaty was patched up to
cover over. and get rid OF without
scsndal. his assumption of power TO
make treaty without the consent Of
the Senate.
In all matters pertaining to our for
eisn relations Congress is extremely
careful In Its Official action to avoid
anything which might tend Ia dis