Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-08
Negroes in Fight

Negroes in Fight
AS preliminary to the big fight in
| the House there was fight of a quite
different nature in the House barber
shop. Two of the Negro BARRIERS there
who cater to the representatives
brought their argument to a close with
a fusilade of toilet water bottles and
other barber shop accessories accom-;
panied by a running fire of language
which was far from parliamentary. The
Hous police force ended the row by
clapping both the combatants in the
| lookup.
| Al the end of debate of an hour and
| half on the rule, vote on a motion for
| the previous Question--a motion to end
| the debate on the rule itself-was in
order. That. under the plan Of the
leaders would be the first roll call
! Then a vote on the adoption Of the
| rule itself was in order, making a sec
| ond roll call.
The adoption of the rule meant four
| hours debate on the McLemore reso-
| luton itself. with another roll call at
the close on a motion for disposition
Of the resolution. This generally was
| expected to be A motion by Chairman
Flood of the foreign affairs commit
| tee to table it.
| Pou's Attack
Mr. Pou attacked the McLemore reso-
luton at the outset. 1T means, in eff
| feet. that if an American disregards
| a warning that the United States gov
F., eminent will fold it's hands" said he.
/ rs there single red-blooded citizen
| in this House or this Country who
wants to do that? It is charged that
! the President wants war. All the lmps
Of He'll never devised a more Infamous
charge. No man. since Abraham Lin
coin has gone through such test as the
President has gone through in the last
six months. He has tried to preserve
peace He would not sacrifice single
| life 10 make himself President for a
! lifetime.
Applause on both sides OF the cham
Der followed his remarks.
| Scattered applause from the Demo-
| cratic side greeted Representative Gard
ner. Republican of Massachusetts, who
spoke on the parliamentary status or
| the McLemore resolution.
| IF YOU want to stand with the Presi-
dent and two ex-Presidents, you will
vote to sustain the rule and table the
! McLemore resolution" said -he.
Gardner with Wilson
Mr.. Gardner was the first Republican
10 line up squarely with the Pres'deht
in the debate
The thought furthest from Presl-
dent Wilson's mind is desire for
war" declared Representative Bennet,
Republican, of New York. He attacked
the rule. however, as "coWardly, e'aS-
i've and treacherous.' He complained
that the House gave many hours TO
routine business and would give only
four hours to consider resolution IN
volving war.
Representative Lenroot Of Wisconsin,
Republican. Of the rules committee
contended the question was not par
tisan one. He attacked MIR. Gardner,
saving. when he takes the stand he
does today, he lays himself open to
! the charge Of cowardise.'
IF YOU are unwilling to submit to
a declaration of war, the responsibility
is on you now to defeat the previous
question" he shouted to a thunderous
outburst of applause
Representative Fitzgerald. Demo-
crat, Of New York, announced that he
would vote not to table the McLemore
resolution. He desired Ito vote for
resolution that expresses the real SEN
timent Of the House that Americans
shall refrain from travelling on the
merchant ships of belligerents."
Il shall vote to table the McLemore
| to of ho Ao0o do.
clared Representative Farr. Republic
can Of Pennsylvania, pointing to the
American flag tehinr the Speakers
chair ITO vote for the resolution
would be to put a yellow streak in
that flag"
Cong. Campbell
| Rep. Campbell. Republican. said:
1.-THE President is asking Congress to
assume the diplomatic function and
| declare to the world it's citizens have
the right Of taking passage on the
armed merchantmen of belligerents.
This House is today confronted with
! the responsibility Of the right to shape
| a diplomatic function which Is solely
the right Of the executive. The nations
of Europe are fighting for their very
! existence. Millions Of men have been
sacrificed in defence of their coun-
tries. We are quarreling with those ma
! tons to crafty the desire of people to
| travel on armed ships. The thing to-
day is to avoid war; The question
ought not to have been brought here.
| Now it is here. vote squarely on a
| resolution warning citizens Of the
| danger they are in when they get on
| armed ships Of a belligerent.''
| Leader Mann
If we are informed correctly" Re-
ooAar Nau~ sofa ssttan