Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-14
IN THE HOUSE.
Democrats Defend States Rights in
Debate on Penal Laws.

cial state elections where troops have
been called into service. served to en-
liven the debate in the House of Rep
resentatives today in the consideration
of the bill to codify the penal laws or
the United States. A number of Demo
Gratis. mostly from the Southern states
strenuously sought by amendment TO
reserve to the states discretion as TO
the qualifications Of voters and of per-
sons to serve on juries and to limit the
powers of federal judges in certain
cases; but every attempt failed
The Republicans presented a solid
front and the votes all were on party
lines. The bill was still under consld-
Grafton when the House adjourned at
S o'clock.
Washington. Jan. 13.-When de-
bate on the bill to codify. devise ana
amend the penal laws of the United
States was resumed in the House to-
day. DeArmond of Mo. expressed the
view that the powers given to federal
Judges in certain cases should be curb
ed. He offered an amendment to Sec
ton % Of the bill relating to con-
spiracies to intimidate government Oh
1CeTS Dy CIldu6lA6 lliC hAC ~ ANO> -~
than $4,000 and Imprisonment with or
without hard labor Of not less tnah
six years or both. The original proVl-
vision calls for a fine Of not more
than $4,000 and not more than SlA
years Imprisonment.
The amendment was lost Williams
Of Mississippi then moved to strike
out the whole section, remarklng tnat
II was put on the statute books to meet
the conditions of reconstruction days.
The motion was lost ia to 129
Mr.. DeArmond sought to amend by
fixing the fines at not more than $louo
instead Of $4,000 and not more than
one years Imprisonment. instead Oh
six wears This amendment likewise
was lost, 1O7 to 11S.
Section q, on motion of Webb. N T.,
was amended to limit the punishment
therein prescribed to persons VINO
| "wilfully" subject inhabitants of any
state or territory to the deprevitation
of any rights gained under the constl-
tuition or laws of the United States' or
to peculiar punishments because such
inhabitants are aliens or because OF
color OF race.
OPPOSITION to Section IS. prescribes
pena lite; for attempts to dlsquallfy Tor
Jury service any citizen on account OF
race or color came from Hardy. Tex,
and Bartlett, Ga. The latter moved to
amend by striking out the clause APP
plviny the statute to jurieS in state
courts. Both declared that the section
as framed was usurpation of state
rights.
Their arguments We're vigorously
combatted by Moon, Penn. Hepburn
Iowa, tainted the Democrats with their
slogan equal rights for all. specla'
privileges for none and spoke of the
popularity and ability Of Williams
Miss, who. nevertheless, he said. de-
feated Governor Vardaman for the SEN
atorship by only small majority
Governor Vardaman. he continued,
made his campaign on a poposal to
repeai the constitutional amendments
and deprving large class of citizens
of their rights of citizenship.
Williams replied that the gentleman
was mistaken in his understanding Of
the cause of his reduced majority in
the senatorial race Nobody in Missis-
sippi. he said had any idea that Gov.
Vardanan could repeal the 18th
amendment to the Constitution. but
Gov Vardaman ran strongly because
of his popularity and his good record
as governor.
After Hardy Tex, Houston, Tenn. and
Bartlett. Ga. advocated Bartlett's mo-
ton. Driscoll, n. Y. assailed the Demo-
Gratis for attempting to take away from
the negro his rights as citizen.
The motion was lost. n to 80. as was
also a motion by Hardy to strike out the
whole section.
An amendment by Webb. N. c.. to pre-
vent the presence OF federal troops at
private state elections except when call
ed for BY the Legislature or. the gov
ernor Of the state. provoked triangular
discussion which was participated In by
Webb. Mann, H.. who opposed the
amendment. and Cochran. N y.
a tinge of pcturesqueness was given
the debate when the venerable former
Speaker. ]. Warran Weifer, Ohio, pitted
himself against Webb. one OF the young
est members: of the House. The amend
ment was lost.
Strong opposition 10 the insufficiency
Of the penalties prescribed in the section
relating to bribery of government off,
Gals or members of Congress came from
several Democrats led by Russell, Mo.
Cochran. N. Y, Williams. Miss. and
Gaines, Tenn.
| Williams. Cochran and Gaines offered
amendments. but all were lost. as also
were amendments offered by Broadhead.
| Fa.. prohibiting members of Congress
| from acting as officers or attorneys of
corporations engaged in interstate trade.
and by Webb, n. c., limiting to time of
war the action to punish anyone inducing
government artiiicers or workmen to en-
ter the employ of any person or private
concern.
| The House then adjourned.
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