Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-01-14
STIRRING
DEBATE BY
SENATORS
Senate Hears Bitter Denuncia.
ton and Sharp Criticism Of
Democratic Policies.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-In stir
ring debate today the senate heard
sharp republican attacks upon Presi-
dent Wilson's recent Indianapolis
speech, criticism of the administra-
tons policy toward Mexico and de-
nunciation of democratic legislation,
followed by warm defense of the presi-
dent by democratic leaders, and pre-
diction of his denomination and re-
election.
Political discussion was precipitated
over Senator Cummins' resolution re-
ouesting information from the presi-
dent as to what the government pro-
posed to do with Mexican customs col
lected during the American occupation
of Vera Cruz. The resolution did not
get to vote.
In the course of the discussion SEN
ator John Sharp Williams of Missis-
sippi declared, with emphasis, that
President Wilson would be "re-nomi-
mated and re-elected;" Senator Borah
of Idaho was referred to as a repub-
lican presidential possibility and Sen
ator Cummins of Iowa voiced the wish
that President Wilson could be con-
fined to the exercise of his constitu-
tional powers"
Senator Borah delivered a general
broadside against the administration,
which reached a climax in an attack
on the chief executives speech at In
dianapolis last week, with particular
reference to the presidents warning
to "men, who should dare to break the
solidarity of the democratic team for
any purpose or from any motive" The
Idaho senate, denounced this state
ment, comparing it with ''the sole and
central principle upon which any cor
rupt political machine was ever organ
lied or put into existence" He de-
clared it was like the utterances of
Tom Taggart of Indiana, to his follow
ers, 80 of whom pleaded guilty yester-
day to the crime of political corrup-
ton" and "the orders issued by Muir
ply to his satellites in Tammany hall
to follow the dictates of the captain
regardless of the dictates of con-
science or judgment"
at is remarkable speech" Sena-
tor Borah continued. ats purpose
and purport cannot be mistaken or
misunderstood. 1t is most virulent
attack upon one of the great political
parties of this country by the chief
magistrate VI Ill0 lldIlOli, ptti
whose traditions millions of his coun-
trymen take great pride and in whose
policies they devoutly and patriotical-
ly believe. 1t not only challenges the
wisdom of it's leaders, but it assails the
intelligence and patriotism of the rank
and file. All this is done at time
when our country has sore need of the
united wisdom and patriotism, when
the American people, regardless of
party, have long shown patience and
forbearance and have long rendered
support in order that situation most
delicate because of foreign complica-
tions might not be aggravated. The
people were not prepared for such a
speech at such a time.
Mr.. President, we accept the chal-
lenge. While opposing no legislation
which we deem to be wise and for the
public good we will hold ourselves
perfectly free to oppose in all proper
ways and to the full extent of our
ability that which we deem to be un-
wise. Understanding that our chief
magistrate prefers the leadership of a
party to chief magistrate of an entire
people, we shall not need to be re-
minded. of that fact again."
Senator BOrah appealed for an extra
session of congress next spring in
which to pass rural credits legislation,
which he insisted was vastly more i'm
rortant than the ship purchase bill.
The federal reserve act he charac-
terized as "sort of antedeluvian mas
todon, too dead for menagerie and
too much alive for the operating ta-
BILE, designed for the treasury, but
(Continuod IN Do uo Einhf