Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-04
IN THE HOUSE.
Consideration Begun Of Substitute for
Senate Anti Anarchy Bill.

measure. Ray, ". ", chairman Of The
Judiciary committee, who was in charge
Of the bill, argued that the Senate bill
was unconstitutional Lanham, Tex.
supported the feature of the bill to ex-
clude Anarchists, but opposed that
making it particular offence to kill
the President or any one in the line
Of the Presidential succession. He
argued that every man was equal be-
fore the law and that existing laws
We're ample To punish the killing or at
tempted killing of the President
When the House met, Burton (ohioj
called up the conference report on tna
river and harbor pill. After some de-
bate the report was adopted. As soon as
signed by the presiding officers Of each
House-it will go to the President.
Under The order adopted Monday. the
House then went INTO committee Of the
Whole 70 consider the bill for the protec
ton Of the President and other purposes
known as the anti-anarchy bill
Ray On. " explained the difference be
tween the Senate bill and the House sub
stltute. The purpose of the House bill
was to protect the President the Vice
President and those in the line Of the
Presidential succession and also to pre-
vent the entry into the United States or
the naturalization OF persons VINO preach
anarchy or forcible destruction of gov
ernment The imperative reason for The
passage of this bill was the nOn-uniform-
ity of state laws for the punishment Of
homicide. The Senate bill. Ray contend
ed. was Unconstitutional because il pro-
vided the death penalty for the killing OF
the President, the Vice President ana
cabinet officers in line of succession, with
out regard to whether at the time they
We're engaged in the performance of their
official duties.
Every decision of the supreme court on
the subject, he said Indicated that Con
Bress had jurisdiction to enact laws pun
tshing offences against officers only when
they We're engaged in the performance of
their official duties. and for that reason
the House Substitute used the LANGUAGE
ana knowingly Kills the President while
engaged in the performance of his Off
cal duties or because of his official char
acter or because Of his official acts or
omissions, shall suffer death"
1t was the opinion of the committee
Sald Rag. that the President was ensagea
IN the performance of his outlines from
the moment his term begins until il ends
But leading lawyers thought otherwise.
Lanham Crex) approved that portion
OF the bill designed to prevent and dis
courage the coming into the United States
OF all persons who oppose governments
and seek its subVerSion. Anarchists h =
said, should have no place in free gov
ernment. But he said he could not give
ms assent 10 the passage of a bill that
singled out any particular citizen and
made 1t special offence to take his life.
The laws against murder in the several
states, he argued, We're ample for tn
protection of all. To violate such a law
as proposed might all the more magnify
the importance of the deed in the dis
tempered fancy of some anarchist Iao
nam wanted TO know why foreign am
bassadors and ministers had been singled
cur Tor such protection and the Speaker |
o. o. me House omitted. He regarded the
Speaker as more important than the Wee
President or a cabinet officer.
If | We're President of the Irnitcd |
states, said Lanham, Il should rather |