Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-05

buster was ineNcusable. The failure
of the Senate to hold up the Presi-
dents hands in this crisis tends to
create the impression abroad that the
American people are divided OH this
issue--an impression which is as far
as possible from the truth. because,
believe. the whole American people
are behind the President There is
consolation, however, in the fact that
an overwhelming majority OF the Sena-
tors went on record as supporting the
President. and that the will of the
majority was thwarted only by II par
liamcntary cNpedient."
"INDEFENSIBLE." SAYS
FORMER SPEAKER BYRD
Richard Evelyn Byrd. former Speak
er of the House of Delcsates-"The flli-
buster was indefcnsiblc. 1t is my he
lief that tho President. rs he has him
self indicated. has full authority TO
proceed with the arming Of merchant
ships for defense without consulting
Congress. There is abundant author
ity for such 4 course OH his part, and
he will have the support Of the Ameri-
can people If he takes it,
Rev. Russell Cecil, u. d.. pastor of
the Second Presbyterian Church-"Thc
Senate made a great mistake. Con-
gross should have given the Presi-
dent all the power he asked for in this
crisis The hlibuster was indcfensi-
BILE"
Coleman Workman. president OF the
Chamber OF Commerce -"AlI true
Americans are behind the President
in this crisis. The tilibustc. and the
failure of tho Senate to pass tho arm
cdneutraiity bill must disgust all citi-
zcns who looked to Congress for patri-
otto support Of the Presidents plans"
Rev. T.. ~ Calisch. PHI. D.. rabbi OF
Beth Ahabah--"Prcsidcnt Wilson WAS
extremely reserved in his demands. lie
asked of Congress rs little as he could.
The country is behind him I'm the ma
tional crisis that conffonts us. The
action of tho senate, particularly tho
tlibuster. was incxcusably unpatri-
otic."
MAYOR REGRETS
DIVISION IN CONGRESS
George Ainslie. Mayor of Richm ond-.
1T is Il matter for infinite regret that
n small cotcric of Senators should have
been able to defeat the very evident
will OF the majority. The President,
as far as can sec. was not asking
Congress to resign any of its constt-
tutional prerogatircs in soliciting its
approval of a measure designed to
place merchant ships on Il defense
basis. Aiming merchant vessels for a
purely defensive purpose does not seem
10 me to be as warliiSc an act as
Senator Stone seems to have regarded
it. The President has shown such grca t
moderation in his dealings with the
national emergency that there could
be no reason to suspect that he would
abuse whatever additional power Con-
gross might have given him. There
is.no division among the American peo-
ple--they arc undivided behind the
President
Christopher Is. Carnctt. chairman OF
the state Corporation Commissioner
senate 10 pass the rmed-ncutrality
bill will have the effect of fastening
war. rather than OF averting il. 1t
must inevitably spread tho belief
abroad especially in Germany. that
America is divided on the question OF
Following tho President into war. Such
belief would only encourage Ger
many to more unrestricted use OF
the submarine. and war would follow
inevitably. The filibustcr was indie
fensible. This was 4 time when the
President should have had the undi-
vided support of Congress-