Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-26

In a bitter speech in the House today
Representative Humphrey of Washing
ton republican. replied to Representative
Norris of Nebraska, who Yesterday con-
cluded a speech in which he condemned
the recent Chicago republican convention
and charged that the delegates from tue
state of Washington had been obtained
for President Taft through political cor
ruption. Mr.. Humphrey disavowed any
personal knowledge of the manner in
which the delegates We're selected, say
ing he was not at home at the time.
But l do resent the attempt of the
gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Norris,
he declared Ito reflect Upon the honesty
and integrit of a large number of citizens
of my state by quoting the opinion of
some man whose name he is not willing to
give The gentleman In his speech said
in substance that certain gentleman of
wide acquaintance and high standing.
whose statements would have great
weight with the members Of this House
and of the country, and who was con-
Versant with all the facts. had stated to
him that the delegates from the state
of Washington to the republican national
convention were absolutely stolen.
asked to Name His Authority.
Mr.. Humphrey recalled the fact that he
repeatedly called upon Mr. Norris to
name his authority. Mr.. Norris, he said,
had declared the man in question was
supporter of President Taft and d candi-
date for office, and for that reason had
refused to permit the use of his name.
Referring to the fact that MIR. Norris
once had been Il judge. Mr.. Humphrey
asked him what he would think If he
Humphrey should accuse a fellow-mem-
Der OF the House of being a scoundrel
and criminal and, when called upon for
proof, refused TO name his informant eX-
cept that he was "a man OF national rep
utation, a man whose truth and veracity
the House could not doubt.
What monstrouS proposition that is,
exclaimed Mr.. Humphrey. rs there
man on this floor whose innate Sense of
honesty. fairness and business would not
arouse his hot Indignation? Is it any less
monstrous, any less dastardly to utter
such statements about large number of
reputable citizens, TO discredit them and
for political purposes to assassinate the
reputation Of a great political party?
Method of the Blackmailer."
Il know that the gentleman from Ne
braska does not approve any such meth
3D. ] am still utterly unable to account
for his using such methods, or, having
used them to fail upon reflection to ask
to have this portion of his speech strick-
en- from the Record. This is the method
of the anonymous letter-writer held in
scorn and contempt by all decent men
This is the method of the blackmailer,
the most cruel and cowardy of criminals.
to eXtort blood money from his terrified
and helpless victim while shielding him
self This is the method of the pitiless
posoner Of the domestic peace in his
neighbours family. This is the method of
the lowest and slimiest of all Gods ere
atoms, the vile monster that by anony-
nous whispers assassinates the reputa-
ton of virfuous women"
Mr.. Humphrey said .he did Mr.. Norris
the justice of believing he had made his
anonymous charges lin his zeal of his
cause. or in the enthusiasm of hysteria.
He scathingly arraigned the great and
good man" whose Identity Mr. Norris
declined to reveal, for refusing to let his
name be known because he was candi-
Ola for Office