The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1916-04-15
vARDaMAN OPPOSES SECTION S.
Declares Adoption Of National Guard
Section Of Army Bill will En-
danger White Supremacy.

Washington. Senator Varda-
man, in discussing in the Senate
the National Guard section of the
army increase bill, sees danger to
the South in the authority that is
given the federal government. In
discussing this phase of the ques-
ton, he said in part:
II do not know who is going to
succeed the present occupant OF the
White House. | hope he may sue
ceed himself, but | would not haz-
ard prediction of what is going
to happen if a man should be elect
ed President who is color blind on
the race question, and whose fac
ulties have become so benumbed
that he could not distinguish be-
tween a white man and negro,
and who is so politically antag-
onistic to the South that he would
be willing to use the power confer
red upon him by Section Sc of this
bill for partisan political purposes,
he could order negro regiments to
mobilize for military training in
every congressional district OF the
state of Mississippi.
"Now that would be very oftens-
i've to the people of Mississippi,
and what could be done in Missis-
sippi could be done in every other
state of the South. 1t would
therefore be very disastrous to the
interests of the entire South. And
| am not willing to permit a peril
so grave as that involved In the
enactment of such law as this to
pass without at least calling it to
the attention of the Senate.
"I understand that under the
leadership of white men negroes
make fairly good soldiers. A ne
gro may become an obedient,
effective piece of machinery, but
he is devoid of the initiative, and
therefore could not be relied upon
in an emergency.
"It is popularity of the negro
character that he can be taught to
take orders, to initiate, to obey,
but he cannot be trusted to carry a
message to Garcia. If / could
have my way about it | should
prohibit the use of negroes in the
army in any way except in menial
positions.
''In my own state, while the
National Guard has not been or
ganized and drilled to very high
degree of efficiency, it has been
very useful in local matters. AS
the governor of Mississippi, on
quite a number of occasions l
| found the men trustworthy, coura-
geous and patriotic, and it affords
| me pleasure to testify to their
worth and efficiency"
The fate of the federal volunteer
scheme was in doubt tonight when
the Senate recessed after an all day
debate over an amendment by SEN
ator Lee of Maryland to strike out
the provisions. At the last mo-
ment Chairman Chamberlain asked
that the vote be deferred until to-
morrow on account of the absence
of a number of senators.
Throughout the day conferences
were held by both advocates and
opponents of the section, seeking
to enlist support of senators who
Ihad not decided on their stand.
Senator Lee was aided in his fight
by Senator Lewis, of Illinois, while
Chairman Chamberlain and his en-
ltire committee worked actively for
their bill and conferred frequently
with Republican senators. 1t is
understood several senators chang
ed their positions during the day.
The only vote taken defeated an
amendment offered by Senator
ISterling of South Dakota providing
that the National Guard should be
first called on for service by the
federal government in the event oi
WAR, coming first after the regular
army in order of precedence,
There was no roll call. Senator
chamberlain pointed out that ex'
listing law, upon which the volun-
teer army proposal is founded, al
ready contained this stipulation.
| An amendment, suggested by
Senator Clapp, of Minnesota, was
accepted by Senator Chamberlain