The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-03
Further Amendments Needed.

lHeIe StuiiuS dulbuE lut luNS VI lht
United States this archaic statute:
Every person who incites. sets on foot.
assis,s. or engages In any rebellion or in
surrectIon against the authority of the
United States, or tho laws thereof, or
gives aid or comfort thereto. shall he
punished by imprisonment not more than
ten years, or by Hne Of not more than
$4,000, or by both OF such punishments (;
and shall. moreover. be incapable Of hold
Ing any Office under the United States"
This manifestly requires amendment
by the joint efforts of Senator HUGHEs
Of New Jersey. President WILSON and
Mr.. SAMUEL GoMrEgs, as follows:
"But fraternal labor consumers. agri-
cultural and horticultural organizations,
and the members thereof In good and reg
ular standing. shall not be held or con-
strued as coming within the provisions
Of this section"
There Is likewise the statute concern
Ing seditious conspiracy;
'If two or more persons IN any State
or Territory conspire to overthrow, put
down, or to destroy by force the Govern
ment of the United States, or to levy war
against them, or to oppose by force the
authority thereof or by force to prevent.
hinder or delay the execution OF any law
Of the United States or 10y force to seize
take OF possess any property Of the United
States contrary 10 the authority thereof :;
each of them shall be punished by fine
OF not less than $500 and not more than
$1,000. Or by imprisonment, with or with
out hard labor. for n period not less than
six months nor moro than six years, or
by both such fine and imprisonment"
1t Is easy to see how the undlscrimi-
mating enforcement of the law against
seditious conspiracy might under some
circumstances work hardship upon
members Of fratcrnal, labor, consum-
ers', agricultural or horticultural or
CARNATIONS; and the subjoined amend
ment must therefore suggest itself to
the alert minds Of Mr.. SAMUEL Com
PEns, Senator HuGHEs Of New Jersey
and President WILSON
"such orsa nizations, orders, association,
or the members thereof. shall not be held
or construed to be In seditious conspiracy
against or In forcible opposition to the
Authority Of the Government OF the United
States
Finally, there Is that too sweeping
and not properly discriminating defnl
ton of the capital crime against the
existence Of the Government:
Every person owing allegiance to th'
United States who levies war agalns
them or adheres to their enemies, givinl
them aid and comfort within the United
States, or elsewhere, Is guilty OF treason
Every person guilty OF treason shall suf
fer death or at the discretion of th'
court shall DO imprisoned at hard labo
for not less than Ave years. and fined no
less than $4,000; and every person 81
convicted OF treason shall, moreover. b
incapable of holding any office under tn
United States"
The indicated palliative is an amend
ment substantially in this form:
"'rhls act does not prohibit the carrying
out OF the legitimate objects of fraterna'
labor consumers, agricultural and hort
cultural associations nor shall such or
CARNATIONS or the members thereof b
held or construed under any circumstance
10 bo in violation Of the anti-treaso
laws OF the United States"
There Is much To be done. ma thl
would be only beginning. Little b.
little, however, by the intelligent an,
persistent cooperation Of Preslden
WILSON Mr. SAMI'IT (,pNprpQ nm,
Senator HUGHEs Of New Jersey, ther
may be effected throughout the stat
utes an equal and even inequality an
symmetrical discrimination ana eN
emptlon with regard TO all kinds 4
Time and mlsdeneanors.