New Britain herald., 1916-11-01


 novelty in Connecticut politics-was held here last night between United States Senator George P. Mclean, re- publican candidate for de-election and Elomer s. Cummings of Stamford, his democratic opponent. A crowd of up- wards Of 4,000 packed the Auditorium where the debate was held and ac- corded each speaker hearty applause. Many were unable to gain admit tance. In the audience were delega- tions from out of town, including a representation of MT. Cummings friends in Stamford, and nearly all the members of the democratic state central committee.
 The crowd listened to the argu- ments attentively and there were only few interruptions. Once when Sen ator Mclean mentioned Theodode Roosevelt's name, there were some misses and later, a heckler asked MT. Cummings a question. Mayor Martin Scully presided. By agreement, no decision was given.
 Mclean First.
 Senator Mclean spoke first for half an hour, MT. Cummings being the challenger. He gave as vital issues in the campaigns preservation of our industrial independence: protection of the American laborer and American prosperity by protective tariffs; pre- serving the liberty of the American citizen and his inalienable right to bargain collectively or singly with his fellow citizens without legal restric- ton or compulsion
 He said he believed in strong and virile national spirit and a navy and coast defeses that will at all times be able to prevent the placing of a. hostile foot on American soil, a navy that can and will successfully defend the peace and prosperity of the Am erican people and the rights of Amer ican citizens wherever they may be-"
 He devoted considerable attention to a criticism of the Adamson act Under the head of preparedness he said: I've have kept out of the war In Europe just as easily as we have avoided falling into the big dipper or drowning in the milky way''
 Criticizes Lack of Patriotism
 MT. Cummings, who was allotted an hour to speak, attacked Senator Me Leans arguments in detail and criti- cized him because he had not word of praise or any sympathy for any of President Wilson's acts. He said the senator had totally ignored the pro- gram of progressive legislation of the administration and enumerated the acts passed. The federal reserve act, he said, was the most important tlegis- 1ative act of a generation. As to preparedness, MT. Cummings maintained that the democrats had done more in two years than the re- publican party had done in it's life time. He defended what he called the "antl-war policies of the president and had warm praise for President Wilson generally.
 MT. Cummings said. speaking of the tariff issue. that there had been no panics except in republican admlnis- trations or under republican legisla- ton. A man in the crowd, at this re- mark, called out What about Tn 1S37?"
 That Is beyond my time," MT. Cummings replied, amid laughaer.
 Senator Mclean, in his rebuttal speech of half an hour, admitted that the federal reserve act was better than the old system, but claimed that the republicans had proposed 300 amendments to it.
 At the close of the debate, Senator Mclean and MT. Cummings clasped hands, while the audience cheered loudly.
 MT. McLeans Speech.
 MT. Mclean spoke in part as fol- lows:
 MT. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
 MT. Cumings said, when he spoke tn Waterbury a week or two ago, that MT. Mclean "ducked'' his vote on the child labor bill. He said in New Britain a few days ago that he was ashamed to say to say that Mr. Me- Lean Tucked" his vote on the Child Labor bill. The impression conveyed by this statement was that by not voting I had desired to conceal my views upon the bill or dodge the re- sponsibility of voting for or against it. Now if MT. Cummings had said that when the roll was called upon the Child Labor bill it was publicly an- nounced by Senator Myers that Mr. Mclean, if present, would vote yea, MT. Cummings would have stated my position accurately. l was home at the time because of the very serious illness of the wife of my superinten- dent. I took particular pains to as sure myself that the bill would pass by very large majority without my vote, and I specially requested the senator from Montana to state that ! would vote for the bill were I pres ent.
 "Of course, MT. Cummings did not intend to deceive his audiences and I am sure he will be quick to do me justice whenever opportunity offers in the future.
 "I want to say to you at the out start that this is not my fight. It is your fight, my friends, I am only one among a hundred million whose hap piness depends upon a wise and just government. I am. surely willing to bear my humble testimo ony to the po- 1ttica1 nrincinleS and social formulas