The Washington times., 1902-02-24
DRASTIC MEASURE
TO KILL ANARCHY
Mr.. Springer Would Amend
u. S. Constitution.
BANISHMRNT FOR ITS FOLLOWERS
Provision Made Enlnrging Treaty
Making Power So to Allow
America to Cooperate with Eu-
ropcan Powers to Crush Serpent.

EX-Congressman William NJ Springer of
Illinois has been one of the most per-
sistent gunners in quest of anarchists
among SIblic men. From his legislative
and judicial experience he is in every way
competent to deal with this subject.
Not unlike others. he is of the opinion
that all of the measures now pending be-
fore Congress and aimed at anarchists
will in TIE end prove Intellectual. for the
reason that under our benign system of
government and under the Constitution
and laws of the United States the an
archist is assured equal protection.
An anarchist he maintains, can, with
out any prohibition, continue to breathe
all others in authority at his own will and
pleasure, as he is entitled to and must
be accorded all the rights enjoyed by the
loyal and patriotic.
This condition. Mr.. Springer contends,
can only be met by an amendment to the
Constitution which. in his opinion, Will
effectually suppress the serpent and ban
ish anarchy as soon as it shows its head.
The amendment which the Illinoisan
=.
Proposed Amendment.
Section l. Anarchism is defined to be
the doctrine which teaches principles hos
tile TO all government, and justifies muir
der of those placed in authority All per-
sons who espouse such doctrine are here
by declared to be anarchists. and enemies
of organized society, and not entitled to
the protection Of the Constitution or laws
Of the United States or OF the constitutions
or laws Of the several States, in the mat
tiers following, that is to say:
"First-ln all civil actions If it shall
appear by a fair preponderancc of the
evidence that the plaintiff is an anar-
chlst, as defined herein, a verdict shall
be entered for the defendant.
''Second-In all criminal prosecutions II
it shall appear to the jury from the evil
dence beyond reasonable doubt that the
person assailed or the aggrieyed party
was an anarchist, as herein defined, the
defendant shall be acquitted.
''ThiTd-Newspaper and all publica-
tions Of whatever kind and all written
or printed communications that teach or
advocate anarchism. as herein defined.
shall be excluded from the United States
mails and from all express companies or
other common carriers.
May he Suppressed.
"FoUrth-All meetings Of two or more
persons, whether secret or public at
which anarchism, as herein defined, is
proclaimed. advocated, or upheld, are
hereby declared TO be unlawful and sedi-
tious, and they may be summarily sup
pressed by the proper authorities.
The persons present at such meetings.
and approving the same, shall be deemed
guilty OF conspiracy against the peace
and dignity Of the people Of the United
States and OF the States in which such
meetings are held, and on conviction
thereof, in any court OF the United States
or OF the several States. shall be punish
ed as may be prescribed by law
'Fifth-Assaults with intent TO kill
upon the President. Vice President or
upon any officer of the United States, or
of the several States, OF the use against
such persons Of any means whatever in
tended to produce death by reason of
the fact that such persons exercise such
governmental functions. are declared to
be capital crimes, and the persons com
mitting such crime on conviction there
of. in any court of the United States
or OF the several States, shall be punish
ed by death.
Congress to Act.
Section 2-Congress shall pass such
laws as may be deemed necessary to carry
into effect the provisions of this amend
ment to the Constitution, TO the end
that anarchism, as herein defined, may
be completely suppressed within the
jurisdiction of the United States, and ali