Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-07
WILSON WINS FIRST
SKIRNTSH IN HOUSE
Continued from Page Ono

| Administration leader, followed with an
impassioned plea for nonpartisanship.
THE issue is clear cut although some
try to confuse and mudde IT," he said.
"If the rule is defeated you will send
joy to foreign capitals and stab your
own President in the back. It's said
this position will bring war It'H whls-
percd that the President wants war. How
rldiculous-thnt man who has not only
preached peace. hut practiced pence"
Representative Chperfeld. Illinois. Re-
publican Rules Committee member, who
followed Harrison, said the Presidents
policy meant either war or humiliation
The man who speaks for peace is not
a coward or poltroon,' said Chipertcld
'"rhe people of Illinois are not intoxicated
by profits of the ammunition trade. Ncv-
er will the American people shed blood
except for great principles"
GARDNER APPLAUDED.
Representative Gardner CRep, Mass).
beginning his speech was applauded by
Democrats.
This fight is on the previous question"
he said THE McLemorc resolution is
dead If we are given chance to vote.
This rule is not gag rule"
Representative Bennett (Rep., y. W,
who conferred yesterday with President
Wilson on the submarine situation, fol-
lowed
"If gentlemen wanted a fair vote why
didn't they give us the right to amend the
McLemore resolution" he asked.
GRAHAM STANDS BY WILSON.
Emphatically declaring that he intends
to uphold President Wilson in the present
crisis, Representative George S. Graham,
Of Philadelphia, was the next speaker
THE simple question before us now
said Mr.. Graham, "is whether or not we
will attend to the business that belongs |
to us and allow the President to attend |
to his"
The House broke in tumultuous APP
plause
In opening his remarks, Representative |
Graham said
"I rise reluctantly to speak on this sub |
ject, but do so because of a sense OF duty.
wish the real issue to be clearly out
lined.
"a great deal has been said about
war, if this resolution is passed; about
the status of merchant ships If they are
armed. 1 want to say to you that that is
aside from the issue Diplomatic negotia-
tions were progressing, and in the midst
of them resolution was pushed into the
House and another in the Senate that
would seek to mar those negotiations
"The power Of the President has been
hampered, If not destroyed"
CRIES OF go AHEAD"
Representative Galloway of Texas,
recognized as one of the 'peace-at-any-
price" Congressman, attempted to inter
rupt Representative Graham, but MEM
bers on the floor downed him with shouts
Of mo. no. Go ahead"
Representative Graham continued:
with the inference in the capitals of
Europe that we are a divided House, how
,an the President successfully conduct
la hos ,i,s !
ply an expression of opinion by the
House on the question whether the House
shall interfere by the adoption of this
'ule and the tabling of the McI4emore ,
The time allotted to Representative Gra-
nam expired, but Representative POu
Welded him more time so he might COM
llete his remarks
ut is admitted by the Central Powers"
said Mr.. Graham, that neutras have the
lights to travel on belligerent merchant
'essels. That being the case what else
,ould the President do than insist that
hey have that right?
"I'm standing here insisting that the I
President be permitted to go ON unhin- ,
Tered and unhampered by us"
Representative John r. I'arr, of Scran- :
on, preceded Representative Graham.
like the Philadelphia Congr /nan, he +
announced that he would st, a. by the !,
President :
II shall vote to table the McLemore :
esolution." he said, "becHuse l want to
'Ote in defense of the flag. Any other g
'ots is to put yellow streak in II and q
he rest OF the world will so regard II. I
We must defend our national honor ana a
Tot vote to yield or abridge the rights or Il
citizens"
MANN URGES WARNING. :
Republican Leader Mann, near the close
f debate on the rule was given rant AZ