The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-07


followed Mr.. Gardner. Alludng TO his
conference with the President yester-
day, he said the President did not de-
sire war. a1 had been alleged. Mr.. Benz
net pointed out that the President
wanted an early and decisive vote on
the armed merchantmen question In
order that all doubt might be swept
He said this rule would not give a
decisive expression.
This rulo Is cowardly aDl cvasive,' -
said MIR. Bennett.
Congressman Cantrill,' OF Kentucky. q
member Of the Rules COMMITTEE, wah
the next speaker in behalf OF the,rule.
Mann Advises House.
, Republican Leader Mann in a speech
, In which he pleaded against war ad-
vlsed the House what form OF resolu.
ton could he prose itcd II the previous
question should be- defeated.
Tic said Congressman Campbell OF
| Kansas would offCr to amend the NC
Lomore resolution striking out both the
preamble and the resolution and pro-
vlding:
Resolved that IN the opinisn OF tho
! House of Representatives, citizens OF
the United States urdcr existing con-
ditions and irrespective of legal rights
ought to refrain from, taking passage
On armed vessels of helligerent nations
| except In ca Sc Of imperative reroSsity.
Mr. Mann said this will be dlscu9sed
l'imdcr tho fvc-minute rule and would
bc voted on If tho previous question
were defeated
THE President has asked our .opin-
ION said MIR. Mnnn. Let W. tell Nun
we do not desire complications thar m'S
congressman Garrett OF Tennessee
then took the floor ard paid glowing
tribute to President Wilson. lie ursei
that the rule he adopted.
No Time For Division.
Congressman Cantrill, majority
member of the Rules Committee. In ad-
vOcating the tabling OF the McLemore
resolution. dramatically exclaimed:
This IL no time for divided council;
| no time that foreign nations shoulu DC
| confused or misinformed as to what the
sentiment In this country Is. ] would
| be untrue to my country and my nag
| II I did not comply with the wish OF
| the President and vote on this question.
| President Wilson has kept us at peace
| true American citizen should thank God
today that Wilson Is President
| This latter statement was met with
fairly enthusiastic applause on the
| Dc mocratic side.
"The question here today" said Mr..
! Cantrill. "is whether this House is
going TO desert the President In an
hour of need"
Congressman Lenrooe Republican
| member of the Rules Committee, said:
This House can either defeat this
| rule and leave the matter In the hands
| OF the President, where IL Is now, or II
| can defeat the previous question and
permit amendments that Will AFFORD
! opportunity for a vote on the real Is
sue. Vote down the previous ques-
| ton and you will have a chance to
vote on a question of simple warning.
The responsibility Is on you. IT you
vote for the previous question on this
| rule, you cannot say afterward that
you had no opportunity to vote on a
suitable resolution of warning.
Can't Offer Substitute.
"Any man who really believes in a
resolution Of warning and votes for the
previous question on this resolution Is
subject TO the charge of cowardice. By
! so voting he cuts off opportunity for
the Offering Of substitute resolution OF
amendments"
Congressman Graham. a Pennsylvania
Republican. brought wild cheers from
! the Democrats when he declared he
would stand by the President
| The matter before us today" he said
| lis whether the House will attend to its
business and permit the President to at
tend to his. am not throwing bou'
quets at the President, but when he IL
right l propose to stand by him.
want him to go on unhindcred in his
work. How can the President conduct
delicate diplomatic negotiations wher
there arc reports of divided councils
here and tho House attempts to inter
fere with his duties. II this matter
ever comes to such n serious question
of war. then the House will have It
functions, but II has nothing to do with
these diplomatic negotiations"
Congressman Fitzgerald, CT New
York. Democratic leader. announced
he would vote against tahlinC the Nc.
Lemorc resolution. although lie indi
Gated he would vote for the rule. II
! Republicans really desired to ofeI
amendme nts. hc said. they could vote
for the rule and then turn down the
proposal to table. which would bring
rhc McLemore proposal before the
House.
Il am against this country going &c
war" shouted Mr.. Fitzgerald because
of reckless. foolhaTdy and perhaps mer'
cenary Americans who persist In trar'
cling on these belllGerent ships. shall
vote, against tabling the McIemcrt
resolution"