The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-03-10
HOUSE TABLES
M'LEMORE WARNING
ADMINISTRATION VICTORIOUS
BY VOTE OF 276 TO l42
Armed Ship Resolution Defeated; Few
Democrats Dissent; Ninety
three Republicans Supp
ort President.


struggle the lower house of congress
tabled the M'Lemore resolution to
warn Americans off armed merchant
ships Of European belligerents. The
vote stood, democrats 1872, republicans,
SO, independents l. By this decisive
vote independent of party lines, the
presidents policy was endorsed in so
far as warning Americans to keep off
armed ships was concerned. The south
stood solidly behind him.
Promptly at IL o'clock the house
assembled for the all-day fight of the
administration forces to kill the Nc
Lemore resolution to warn Americans
off armed ships of the European bel
ligerents. Speaker Clark was in the
chair.
After the reading Of the journal,
Acting Chairman Pou of the rules
committee submitted the special rule
under which the debate would proceed.
Mr.. Pou asked unanimous consent
for 90 minutes debate on the rule.
There was no objection, and the debate
began. Mr.. Pou took the floor to open
the fight.
Mr.. Pou attacked the resolution at
the outset.
'It means in effect that if an Amer
lean disregards warning that the
United States will fold its hands," he
said.
'Is there a single red-blooded citi-
zen in this house, or this country, who
wants to do that?"
at is charged that the president
wants war. All the imps of hell new
er devised a more infamous charge.
'No man since Abraham Lincoln
has gone through with such test as
the president has gone through in the
last six months He has tried to pre-
serve peace. He would not sacrifice a
single life to make himself president
for life time.
"He has the support of both sides
of this chamber. He has the support
on the democratic side and distin-
guished support on the other side. On
| ly the other day | read a statement
of former President Taft supporting
him."
i Representative Cantrill, democrat, of
Kentucky, member of the rules COM
mittee, said he would vote for the rule
because only by its adoption could the
house put itself on record on the warn
ling resolution issue.
Il Ehar'1. G&d. that President Wilson
ssf ss-aatian
now" he declared amid democratic
applause
i ITO those who may say that this
action involves a question Of war,
say that today's action which we pro-
pose is the only way to guarantee
peace, and an honorable peace is what
we all desire"
Representative Lenroot of Wiscon-
sin, republican, declared,
"This house will either defeat this
J rule, leaving the matter where it is
now, in the presidents hands, or it
will defeat the previous question,
! which will permit amendments to the
McLemore resolution so as to permit
the house to express its real senti-
ment."
He attacked Mr.. Gardner, saying,
when he takes the stand he does to-
day, he lays himself open to the charge
of cowardice."
"If you are unwilling to submit to
declaration of war, the responsible
ity is on you now to defeat the pre-
vious question" he shouted to a thun-
derous outburst of applause.
Representative Fitzgerald, demo-
crat, of New York, announced that he
would vote not to table the McLemore
resolution. He desired It vote for a
resolution that expresses the real SEN
timent of the house that Americans
shall refrain from travelling on the
merchant ships of belligerents. He
said the democratic rule was eminently
fair.
81 declare Mr.. Fitzgerald said,
shat America should not go to war
because Of foolhardy or mercenary
Americans who insist on going on bel
ligerent ships"
II shall vote to table the McLemore
resolution in defense of that flag"
declared Representative Farr, repub-
lican, of Pennsylvania, pointing to the
American flag behind the speakers
chair. ITO vote for the resolution
would be to put yellow streak in that
flag"
Representative Groham of Pennsyl-
vania, republican, declared:
To-day want to be Pro-German,
pro- Austrian, or pro-anything.
want to be anly an American, to stand
up and face the world for its rights"
The "rebel yell" rang out from the
democratic side.
''If we are informed correctly" Re-
publican Leader Mann said, "the pres
ident desires our opinions on the sub
ject of American citizens travelling on
armed vessels of belligerent nations.
We express no opinion on the subject
by laying the McLemore resolution on
the table unless such action be con-
strued as an invitation to travel. I
am not in favor of extending any such
invitation which might bring US into
international complications.
Il would not seek to offer my own
opinion in a case like this, but when
the president asks for it, it is our du-
ty to meet the question fairly and
squarely, and if we believe American
citizens under ordinary circumstances
ought not to involve this country in