Norwich bulletin., 1911-03-11
ECHOES FROM THE LODGE ROOM
Odd Fellows in Degree Work-Granaers Heard From Two Senators-Kentucky Congressman Comes to De- fense of Knights of Columbus-Neopians Will Have Glass Initiation-Owls Will Also Put in Class
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.

Local members of the Knights of Co., 1umbus have read with much interest this week and with commendation for the speaker, the remarks of MT. John son of Kentucky as quoted in the Con-. gresional' Record. MT. Johnson took occasion to rise to the defense of the Knights of Columbus from the charge Of being a political organization, whose vote could be delivered. He is quoted as follows in the Congressional Rec ord:
 MT. Johnson of Kentucky. Mr. Speak CT, reserving the right to object, wish to make a statement that l feel every man in this house is entitled to hear. Finally, l shall not interpose any ob- lection to the passage of this bill; but I desire to say that it has been lob- bied by a man whom every member of the house ought to know something about That man is named E. l.. Scharf. When came to congress four years ago got a very mysterious note from this man asking me to call at flis place and see him at Uo. 800 Four teenth street I went, and when got there he asked me if would be a can didate for reelection to congress. I told him that I would. He then told me that he had looked up my district and found that there were 4,e00 Cath olic votes therein. He then made a proposition to me that for pecuniary consideration he would deliver those 1000 Catholic votes to me. In that connection he also said that he was a Knight of Columbus, and through that organization he could suPely and cer- tainly deliver those votes to me. MT. Speaker, I wish to say that am proud of being both a Catholic and a Knight of Columbus, and I emphat tcauy deny that this man can do anything or the
 kind. I furthermore know that there are several members on this floor to
 vx,I,n ho h do c m tion, and have been informed that he has obtained money from members of this house upon the pretext that he could deliver to them the Catholic vote
 In their districts and the votes of the Knights of Columbus in the United States for a pecuniary consideration. sideration.
 The order of Knights of Columbus is not a political orga niZatfon, but in stead strictly fraternal, and 1t IS re- hection upon both the Catholic church
 as well as upon the order of Knights of Columbus that this man can go un- challenged and unexposed in his me-
 farious scheme. Therefore l say what do relative to him for the purpose Of protecting this membership, as well as for the purpose of defend ding the Cath olio church and the Knights of Colum- bus from such characters who for a few dollars bring discredit upon that church and upon that order. Every Catholic and every Kni gilt of Colum- bus will, I know, appreciate an expos- ure of this Catholic flor revenue only I have not availed myself of the con- stitutional privilege of the house to ex- press my opinion of this man. but have done so to his face, and now re- peat 1t for the protection of the house and the public.
 I wish to warn this house against a lobbyist, a man who is lobbying for the passage of this bill that is now up and who Hobbies for various other bills that come along, and then in the
 meantime offers to deliver to any can- dddate who will pay him a monetary
 consideration the Catholic vote and
 the vote of the order of the Knights
 of Columbus in the United States
 which I know he can not do. In jus tfce to the membership of this house I wish to make this statement. l now withdrew any objection, Mir. Speaker
 to the bill.