The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-03-20
TO PROTECT PRESIDENT
Bill Occupied the Entire Session of
The Senate.
cuLBEpSON OFFERED A SUBSTITUTE
Mr.. Bailey Said the People Wanted a
Law TO Reach the Anarchist, but Gould
Not Support Majority Measure.

Washington. March 1o.-Durlng the en-
tire session Of the senate today the bill
providing for tho protection Of tho presi.
dent Of the United states was under con
siderstlon. Mr.. Spooner CwisD contended
that the governments had an absolute and
Inherent right to protect itself against as
saints made either unon itself or any Of
Its officers lie maintained that mn assault
On the president was. in the very nature
| or thugs. an assault on the government,
for there never was n time when the presi-
/ dent was not in the exercise or the duties
1 Of his office. His argument was largely
legal and constitutional and throughout
| WAS forceful, entertaining and Instructive.
| MIR. Hoar. In charge OF the measure,
clucidated some arguments he had made
! previously and MIR Teller tColol and Mr..
! Bailey Crexss) spoke briefly upon the hill.
The Texas senator said he could not SUP
| port the measure MS IL stands because he
| could conceive or an assault made upon
! the president as person and not as sn
| official OF the government, The assallant,
! Ia any event. ought to be punished precisely
as II he had assaulted any other citizen,
| Replying to the argument OF Mr.. Bacon,
! MIR, SpoOner declared that II Mr.. Bacon S
/ argument were crystalll1ed into law this
! would be an impotent government, unable
! 10 protect itself against obvious crimes
]
! ing the operations OF the government.
Mr. Spooner said that II President Nc
! kinley had been permitted TO live although
! he might have fingered wounded. ana in
| cupacltated for years. his RsSailant would
! have been punished by Ten years lmprSon-
| ncnt.
Regardless" said he. cot the laws OF the
! States, / believe that such crime ought
! 10 be punishable by death"
| Mr. Culherson CHeNAsl offered substitute
! FOR tho pending measure.
/ Mr la
! vision giving to the president military
! guard and suggested that the gnard about
| him should he from the civil department
! Mr. Bailey JTexas) maintained that the
! government had ample authority TO pro
! tect its officials ia the performance Of
! their duty hut said he doubted It's author
! lily to punish man who should assault or
/ XIII any government official merely as a
! person. The demand OF the people was
| that tho government should lay its hand
! heavily upon the anarchist, He was Ia uc.
! cord with that demaud and would hound
4 the anarchist from one section 10 auothcr
| until he had no resting place. hut ne
| warned the senator's not to make anarchis, $
! Of themselves In the cnort To protect the
| president against anarchy. property
| drawn bill to meet the demands Of the
! American people would command the unAni-
nous support Of the senate, Holding the
views he entertained, he could not sup
1 port the measure as II stood.
! Ia the line with Mr.. Baiieys remarks,
| Mr. Bacon (Ga) introduced bill for the
! deportation and exclusion OF alien anarch'
| Isis. II was tho bill he said. which was
/ Introduced by former Senator Hill IN. Nl
| and which had been passed by the senate,
hut had failed In tho house Tic offered
I it as n suggestion 10 the judiciary commit
tee. Personally he was In favor of the
| most extreme legislation that can he de
vised and justified for the accomplishment
| OF the purposes stated
The senate then at 3:45 p. N. went Into
executive session and few minutes after
| ward adjourned.