The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-06
ANARCHY DEBATED
DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE BY
MEssRs. M'COMAs AND HOAR.
Both in Favor of Action by Congress
Looking to the Repression of
Redmouthed AgitatOrs.
SPEECH BY THE MARYLANDER
DEVOTED MAINLY TO EXPLAINING
THE POWER OF CONGRESS,
which, He said, Has Constitutional
Au,bority to Enact Laws for Pun
i.bing AssaiIants of Presidents.
VIEWS OF SENATOR H0AR
MASSACHUSETTS STATESMAN WOULD
BANISH ALL ANARCHISTS.
He wouId Send Every One to Some
Spot Where There Is No Govern
ment, the Utopia of Their Desire.
which, He Said, Has Constitutional
Authority to Enact Laws for Pun
ishing Assailants of Presidents.
VIEWS OF SENATOR H0AR
MASSACHUSETTS STATESMAN WOULD
BANIsH ALL ANARCHISTS.
He Would Send Every One to Some
spot Where There Is No Govern
ment, the Utopia OF Their Desire.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Senator Nc
Comas of Maryland, made an extended
and carefully prepared speech In the Sen
ate to-day with anarchy for his theme
and was followed by some brief remarks
by Mr.. Hoar. of Massachusetts, on the
difficulties in the way of dealing with an
archist 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 Furnishing with death any
person killing a President, assaulting
the President with intent to kill, or aid
ing, melting. procuring such an act.
He favored rigid provisions In the immi-
grafton laws for the deportation of alien
Anarchists. Much of the speech was de-
voted TO an explanation of the dangerous
doctrines of anarchy and the extent to
which these doctrines had been propagated
within recent years.
within seven years.. he said. President
Garnet, Prime Minister Canovas del Cas-
tillo. the Empress of Austria, King Hum
bert and President Mckinley have been
fouIy assassinated by Anarchists. Our
homes still under the shadow of
tionai grief for our best beloved President
and the heart of the world is with us in
our sorrow. 1t is humiliating to consider
how impotent our federal laws to
punish this fearful crime. These tragic
assassinations in five countries. widely
separated. in so short a time. show that
this hideous crime of anarchy is increas-
ing. To abnormal minds possessed with
this impulse to homicide envy and vanity
give a peculiar fascination to the idea of
al,
gress must legislate against this new
peril with courage. with firmness, but also
with conservatism and prudence. The
Constitution permits Congress to enact
law to punish such crimes against the
very existence of the government the
Constitution ordained"
After defining the terms of a prepared
statute fixing the death penalty for killing
a President, or assaulting him with intent
to kill. or advising inciting or procuring
sTsn acts the soysrs senator Proeesded as fol-
weak that II must depend IDOn the vary
ing laws of its different States to punish
a criminal who assassinates or attempts
10 assassinate the President whom the
Constitution declares shall take care that
the laws be faithfully executed.
ALWAYS ON DUTY.
"The President is within this peace of
the United States. A person assailing the
President while in the discharge of his
duties violates this peace. If the Presi-
dent is receiving the people of our country
representatives OF foreign countries in
any city or any Of our States he is at the
time within the peace OF the United States
If, after he performs such function he
journeys 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
train may be. Can this be doubted? The
Presidents duties are continuous, not pre-
termittent He is always on duty. He
cannot delegate his highest functions. I'm
til he dies. resigns, or ends his term
he is ever taking care that the law be
faithfully executed. That the government
President is on duty always and every
where. The President is In the peace of
the United States at all times and In
all places in the Union.
Congress may go further-it may enact
laws TO protect the high executive Off
GERS; it may even protect senators and
members of Congress. / am convinced it
IS wise to legislate now TO protect the
head of the state-the President and the
Vice President and the officers on whom
the office OF President shall devolve-and
now go further 1t may be prudent
to declare that this statute is not TO be
construed to impair the protection already
afforded by the law TO other officials of
the United States.
j.. CONGRESS should enact a law to give
federal courts jurisdiction TO try and pun
ish by Imprisonment for a term of years
two or more who confederate and con-
spire to murder the President or Vice
President or both: or any of the officers
in line OF succession TO the President, or
who advise or incite any person TO over
throw the federal government destroy
IL by force and violence by willfully kill
ing or aSSaulting with intent TO Kill the
President Vice President. BOTH
any OF the officers in line of succession to
the President.
AIMED AT SOCIETIES.
This statute should make it a crime.
with penalty of Imprisonment for a term of
years. for any person TO knowingly become
or continue 10 be a member OF any associa-
tion. club or assembly where any person or
persons advise or incite any of the offenses
before mentioned.
such statute should make it a crime
punishable by Imprisonment for a term of
years for any person or persons 10 threaten
or 10 speak. write, print publish any
works or declarations cOunseling. advising
or melting other persons 10 willfully kill.
or 20 assault with intent TO kill, the Pres
tdent The prohibitions, crimes and penal
ties OF the postal laws TO suppress fraudu-
lent and lottery schemes should be extend
ed 10 include the sending through the mails
OF written or printed Anarchist doctrines or
newspapers counselinS or advising the
crimes In this statute mentioned or coun-
selling or advising the subversion or de-
struction by force and violence of the gov
ernment Of the United States.
but this statute would be incomplete un-
less II included one other feature. IL should
make II a crime punishable with term OF
imprisonment for two more while in the
United States 10 conspre and confederate
20 commit any one of the crimes mentioned
upon any president. king other head OF a
state or Tor any person 10 solicit. persuade
or propose TO any other person TO murder
the head Of a state or any republic. king
dom. empire or other sovereign state In
ternational comfy requires this. No one