The Washington times., 1902-06-04
Judge Lanham Opposes
Special Protection for
the President.
ALL MEN EQUAL BEFORE LAW
Declares That Legislation Making Crime i,
Against Particular Person a Special
Ofense Incompatible With Repub-
iican Government.

The House devoted nearly four hours
'sterday to the consideration of the
'easure to protect the life and person
the President. popularity known as the
nti-anarchy bill.
Two speeches were delivered upon the
ubject. one by Representative Ray OF
Sew York. the chairman Of the Judiciary
committee. which reported the bill and
ne other by Representative Lanham OF
rexas.
The latter. with Mr.. Clayton of Ala
aama, signed a minority report upon the
Measure. Mr. Lanham approved that
Jcrtion Of the bill which prohibits the
coming to America OF persons opposed to
organized government. and who seek its
verthrow, bu; he disapproved that fea-
ure which makes it special offense to
lake the life of one citizen as contra
distinguished from any other. In a re-
public. he contended. all men were equal
before God and the law. y.
Judge Lantams speech was a very
forcible argument from a legal stand -.
point. He contended that the States
should have the right to deal with Of
lenses committed within their respective
Given Close Attention.
At times the Texan waxed eloquent. and
MS diction was classic. The attendance
waJ small. but those who were present
gathered about his seat and gave him
lose atte-tion.
Judge Lanham Is to be the next Cover
Tor Of Texas. and he declared with con-
siderable feeling that he would probably
lever address the House again. and that
le wished his last speech to be a pro-
est against Congress exceeding the pow,
RS conferred upon it by the fundamen-
al law.
Mr. Ray, who was the first speaker.
yplained at some length the difference
etween the Senate bill and one re-
orted to the House as a substitute The
urpose of the House measure, he said,
to protect the President. the Vice
resident. and those in the Presidential
recession, and also to prevent the en-
) into the United States or the natur-
ization of persons who preach the doc 4
inc of anarchy or the forcible destruc-
en- Of government.
One of the most important reasons. he
id. for the passage Of the biz was
e non uniformity of the laws ef ths
ri' us sta es IOr the punishment of
,micide. Mr.. Ray contended that the
nate DILL was unconstitutional because q
provides the death penalty for the
Hing Of tho President. the Vice Presi.
mt and the members OF the Cabinet
Presidential succession. without re-
.rd to whether or not at the time
ey were engaged in the performance
their Official duties.
Congress Has Jurisdiction.
nishing oreuses against officers only
the subject, he said indicated that
ngress had jurisdiction to enact laws
nishing onezses agaiuts officers only
len they were engaged in the perform
ce of their official duties. and for that
son the House substitute used the
lguage ANY person who unlawfully.
rposely and knowingly kills the Presi-
lt. while engaged in the performance
his official duties. or because Of his
cial character, or because Of any
LIS official acts or emissions. shall
fer death -
'Ir. Pay reviewed at scme length the
gelcpment of English law. and re-
Inted the punishment meted out in
gland in times past for crime. Tie
liyzed the measure very carefully.
| singled out the various objections J.,
ich might be raised to the. measure
answered them.
pen the conspiracy feature Of the bill
Ray said:
We owe a duty 20 all foreign nations
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