The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-13
Two Democrats Disagree Over
 Nebraskan's Policies
MUCH AMUSEMENT CREATED
Congressman HamiII of New Jersey Answers Attack on Bryan by MT. Leake and Defends Him From 
 General Criticism.

Washington, February 12-The pent-up feelings of members on the issues of the day and other topics were given chance to be accounted in the House of Repre- sentatives today. The opportunity came when the legislative, executive and jul dicial appropriation bill was taken up and general debate for an indefinite period was begun. As was the case last week, the tariff question and the Presidents message were the principal themes of discussion In the course of the conclud- ing debate on the Indian appropriation bill the proceedings were enlivened by Messrs. Hamill and LealSe of New ter sey, both democrats, discussing the vir- tues and faults of William J. Bryan. l1r. Hamill insisted that his colleague had not in his speech of last Monday truly represented the sentiment of Hudson county, which they both represented, the state of New Jersey or the country at large. Replying, MT. Leake reasserted resent the principles for which democracy stood.
 For the second time this week politics cropped out during the discussion of the Indian appropriation bill. MT. Hamill of New Jersey got the floor for five min utes, presumably to talk on the bill
 My colleague, MT. Leake, last Mon day made some remarks derogatory to the conduct of William J. Bryan," he said, and before he could continue, MT. Sherman of New York arose and said, amid general laughter:
 T must make the point of order that this section of the bill does not appro- priate for William J. Bryan"
 There were demands that MT Hamill be allowed to proceed. On condition that MT. Leake should be permitted five min utes to reply, the permission was ac- corded.
 Leake in the Wrong.
 Resumng his remarks, MT. Iiamill de- clared: The sentiments as expressed by MT. Leake are not the sentiments I entertain, or the sentiments that pre- vail in Hudson county, which we both represent, which prevail for that matter throughout the state of New Jersey"
 Mir Bryan he said, should not be crit icised because of his knowledge of the decalogue.
 In his opinion it was amazing that Mir. Bryan should be openly opposed on the floor of the House because he showed an acquaintance with the ten command ments. It was refreshing, he said, to find a man who not only boasted and possessed acquaintance with the ten com mandments, but who throughout the entire course of his public career has consistently put the precepts of the com mandments into practice"
 Shouts of democratic approval greeted MT. Hamilfs announcement that while he agreed with the statement that Mir Bryans knowledge of the commandments would fit him to occupy a pulpit with prominence, ''I can also assure the House ref1ecting at the same time their own conviction, that that same acuuaintance will enable him to occupy with eclat the post of President of the United States
 The principles MT. Bryan espoused. he said, were so undeniably sound that his victorious opponents have ap- proved many of them and made them the popular features of their policies" If, said MT. Hamill, it was true. as charged by his colleagues, that Mr Bryan was engaged in the practice of corralling delegates to the Denver con- vention, 1t was the very same practice indulged in by the illustrious gentle man whom my friends on the other side of the chamber boasts of as their political chieftain."
 Leake Replies.
 All eyes then turned towards MT. Leake. who, amid republican applause, said that he had been misunderstood and that the Congressional Record would bear him out that he had cast no aspersions on the peerless one"
 His tone in referring to Mir. Bryan was so sarcastic that he was again ap- plauded by the republicans. Mr. Leake said it was his honest opinion that his views reflected the sentiments of his district, his state and his coun- try. There were, he said, certain prin- ciples of the democratic party which had been departed from since 1896, land that in this year when we see an opportunity of victory, we are still trusting ourselves to the distinguished gentlemen from Nebraska.
 Mr. Leake spoke of the doctrine of Thomas Jefferson and reverting to MT. Bryan provoked vociferous republican applause and general laughter when he said: q believe that MT. Bryan Is sincere, honest. and I believe that he is truthful, and I believe further that he cannot represent the principles of democracy before the American people. believe that he cannot preach the doctrine of home rule in the states do not believe he can preach the doc Urine of American individuality, for when he rises as our leader he is wound around by his heresies of free silver; by his doctrines of govern mental ownership, and by his guaran- teeing of the bank deposits of the United States and by all those other socialisti tendencies'
 What the Country Needs.
 The country. he declared needs de- mocracy now--needs the esta blishment of the principles of democracy into our national legislation and needs to get away from the principles which MT. Bryan stands for"
 MT. Leake. after asserting the re- publicans were a party of expediency and the democrats party of principles,
 CONTINUED ON PAGE s)