The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-12
Hitchcock Denounces
Refusal of Democrats
to Listen to Debate.
SUPPORT PLEDGED
TO AMENDMENTS
Does Not Believe Senators Will
Stultify Themselves by Voting
Contrary to Agreement-In-
sists That President Will
son Favors Public Dis
cussion Of Question.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch ]

Especial to The Times Dispatch
Washington, December Ill decline
10 assume that Democrats in this SEN
ate are shacklcd and gagged. l re-
fuse to believe, until l see the votes
cast. that Senators who have pledged
themselves To support certain amend
ments to this bill will stultify them
selves"
Such was the concluding note of the
stirring dcnunciation Of caucus rule on
the currency bill made by Senator
Hitchcock, of Nebraska Democrat. in
the Senate this afternoon. Openly and
boldly he declared that Senator's had
assured him the President did not ap-
prove of q caucus on this BILL He de-
clarcd that he had been given per-
sonal pledges to support both in the
caucus and on the floor certain amend
ments that he would offer. Mr.. Hitch
cock did not say he would eventually
name the men. but there was de-
termination in his voice that made the
silence OF the chamber following his
denunciation of caucus rule ominouS.
This Interesting episode arose when
the consideration Of amendments be-
gan late in the afternoon. Mr.. Hitch
cock offered his amendment To the
second section, which provides for four
regional reserve banks public owner
ship and the control of the regionals
by the government. He asserted that
the pending bill was the most import
ant before Congress in fifty years and
said II was shame that men who
had spent years studying the subject
should be compelled TO talk to empty
benches.
Nto I'm Keeping With Tradition.
Consideration Of the great measure
in secret caucus and the refusal of
Democrats TO listen to honest debate
and discussion was not, he declared
with warmth. In keeping either with
the tradition of the Democratic party,
or in line with the utterances of it's
distinguished leader. President Wilson.
To prove that President Wilson had
always been in favor of the utmost
freedom of debate and public discus
sion on public questions. Senator.
Hitchcock read copiously from the
New Freedom" one OF the most quot
ed books OF Woodrow Wilson.
I'VE must look 10 public discussion
for tho remedy for existing evils"
Mr.. Hitchcock read from tho Presi-
dents book. rs this n public discus
sion," asked the Senator, as he looked
around at empty seats on both sides
of the chamber. Are we to be shack
led and gagged, deserting the teach
ings OF our great leader%
Senator Hitchcock said Senator's
known TO have the confidence OF the
President had assured him the cur
rency bill was not to be considered a
party question. Senators with whom
he had talked had told him the Presi-
dent wanted 1t considered as an open
question on the floor of the Senate
When Senator Gallinger asked IL the
President did not really favor the eau
Gus. Mr.. Hitchcock replied: IL can
not bring myself To believe it. in view
of assurances given to me. ] cannot
believe that my Democratic colleagues,
Z l,t.l, trix al, tI,of
was TO be no caucus, and that full
opportunity would be given to all SEN
ators on this floor to support such
amendments as their judgment ap-
proved, could, at this last minute, come
in here and stultify themselves. 1 will
not believe it until the vote OH this
bill is taken"
teads From "New Freedom"
Taking up the New Freedom" SEN
ator Hitchcock read freely from its
/ epigrammatic sentences. interspcrsing
comments that fitted the present sit
uation.
The trouble with legislation In our
government is that il is not threshcd
out in debate in the open house," he
quoted from the President This"
said MIR. Hitchcock with emphasis. lis
an Indictment drawn by the President.
1t is a description OF the disease this
administration was To cure"
1.-The government ought TO be all
outside and not inside is what the
President says here" continued Sena
tor Hitchcock. quoting. "If this means
anything" he added. by way OF com
ment. "t means that this great bill
Will be discussed in public. and that
men will vote their convictions; not
that they shall barter away and sur
render their convictions and individual
judgment TO a secret caucus
wv oodroW Wilson says that nothing
Of the government should he consider
ed where everybody cannot know about
it, I3 that true OF this billp # was
considered when only n privileged
fow were permitted to bc present. 1t
was one of the accusations OF this
| administration before coming into
power that legislation here was not
! CONTINUED on Third Pagc)