The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-06


prepared speech in the Senate to-day with
anarchy for his theme. and was followed
by some brief remarks by MIR. Hoar OF
| Massachusetts on the difficulties in the way
| of dealing with anarchist assassins
| Mr.. McComas's remarks showed careful
| examination of the legal authorities He
| maintained that Congress had full power
under the Constitution to enact a law pun
ishing with death any person killing q
1 President. or assauiting the President with
intent to kill. or aiding. melting OF procur-
ing such act. He favored rigid provi-
/ sions in the immigration laws for the de-
| portation Of alien anarchists.
| Mlch of the speech was devoted to an ex-
| PLANTATION of the dangerous doctrines of
anarchy and the extent TO which these
doctrines had been propagated in recent
years.
! AsSAsSINs OF RULERS
| GLORiED IN THEIR CRIMES.
Senator Hoar's remarks were interesting
as coming from the venerable chairman of
the Judiciary Committee. which will have
much 70 do with the framing of any legts-
lation on this subject. He said the difficulty
was that assassns of Kings and rulers al
ways gioried in their crimes and were in
no wise deferred by the fear of punishment.
For this reason he thought it was almost
useless TO multiply punishments.
HOAR SUGGESTS EMILE
AS An EFFECTIVE REMEDY.
The most effective remedy. he suggested.
would be to have the civilized nations of
the world agree upon some desoiate spot on
the earth's surface. to which all anarchists
who upheld assassination or the overthrow
of government should be transported.
In such community the anarchist could
carry out his theories of living without n
government and the world would be rid of
his presence.
Senator McComas. during his address. said
in part:
Within seven years President Carnot,
Prime Minister Canovas del Castillo, the
Empress of Austria. King Humbert and
President Mckinley have been foully assas-
sinated by anarchists. Our homes are still
under the shadow of the national grief for
our best-heloved President. and the heart
of the world is with us in our sorrow.
FEDERAL LAWS IMPOTENT TO
PUNISH THIS TERRIBLE CRIME.
1T is humiliating to consider how impo-
tent are our Federal laws to punish the
fearful crime. These tragic assassinations
In five countries. widely separated. in so
short a time. show that this hideOus crime
of anarchy is increasing.
TO abnormal minds. possessed with this
impulse to homicide envy and vanity give
peculiar fascination to the idea Of assas-
sinatng a King OF President.
Congress must legislate against tkis new
peril with courage. with f1rmness. but also
with conservatism and prudence.
The Constitution permits Congress to en-
act a law to punish such crimes against the
Very existence of the Government the Con-
Stitution ordained"
After defining the terms Of a proposed
statute fixing the death penalty for killing
President or assaulting him with intent
such acts. the Senator proceeded as follows:
NATION MUST NOT DEPEND on
VARYING LAWS OF THE STATES.
This sovereign nation is not so weak
that it must depend upon the varying laws
of its different States to punish a criminal
who assassinates OF attempts to assassinate
the President. who, the Constitution de-
clares. shall take care that the laws be
faithfully executed.
''The President Is within this peace of the
United States. A person assaifing the Pres
ident while in the discharge of his duties
violates this peace. II the President is re-
ceivinE the people of our country or the
representatives of foreign countries In any
city, in any of our States. he is at that
time within the peace Of the United States.
If. after he performs such function. he jour-
neys to the White House, and at night,
when asleep. the car wherein he sleeps be
assaulted with dynamite. such crime is still
crime against the peace of the United
States in whatever State the Presidents
train may be. Can this be doubted?
THE PRESIDENT Is
ALWAYS on DUTY.
'The Presidents duty is continuous, not
pretermittent. He is always on duty; he
cannot delegate his highest functions. Until
he dies or resigns. or ends his term, he Is
ever taking care that the law be faithfully
executed. The President is in the peace of
the United States at all times and all
places in the Union.
Congress may go further-it may enact
laws to protect the high executive officers;
it may even protect Senators and members
Of Congress.
II am convinced 1t is wise to legislate now
to protect the head of the State-the Presi-
dent and the Vice President and the Of
hcers on whom the office of President shall
devolve-and now go no further. It may be
prudent to declare that this statute is not
to be construed to impair the protection al
ready afforded by the Law to other officials
of the United States.
CONsPIRATORS To AssAsSINATE
SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN LAW.
Congress should enact a law to give Fed
eral courts jurisdiction to try and punish
by imprisonment for term of years two
or more who confederate and conspre to
murder the President or Vice President. or
both. and any of the offices in line of sue
cessfon to the President or who advise or
incite any person to overthrow the Federal
Government or destroy 1t by force and vio-
lence. willfully killing or assaultins with
intent to kill the President. Vice President.
or both or any of the officers in line OF
succession TO the President
This statute should make 1t a crime with
penalty of imprisonment for a term CT years
Tor any person knowingly to become or con-
tinue to be a member of any association.
club. assembly where any person or per-
sons advise or incite any of the offenses
before mentioned.
MAILS SHOULD BE PURGED
OF ANARCHIST LITERATURE.
such statute should make It a crime,