New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-07
Pilloried by Colleagues
After Speech in
Own Defence
" N
Wisconsin Man
De6es Congress
Sentiments Fit Only
for Bundesrat, Says
Robinson
fS,sr CorrespJndenosl

and denounced by his fellow-Senators
to-day, when he spoke for three hours
in the Senate in defence Of the 81.
Paul speech, In which he said the
United States had gone TO war on
techincality. Afterward, for FIVE hours
Senators picked to pieces the defence
Of the member from Wisconsin and
pilloried him for his assertion that he
would never fslter In the stand he had
taken.
La Toilette sought in vain 20 regain
the floor. The opportunity TO reply
to the charges made against him was
denied By his colleagues, who resorted
TO the same tactics by which he himself
had held up the armed neutrality bill
on March 4. He announced that he
would issue q public statement to-mor-
row. On Monday the Senate Privileges
and Elections Investigating sub-com-
mittee will start an investigation Of
the 81. Paul speech.
Robinson Leads Attack
Senator La Follette's seat is in ore
Of tho front rows, near the Vice-Presi-
dents desk. The Senator from Wis
! consin rose slowly and began to read
his speech with delib ration. Within
a few moments the familiar sentiments
had fred his enthusiasm. and he was
off with the usual dramatic gestures
and fiery eloquenee. Once ne stopped
to rebuke q man at gallery door;
again he waited FOR the Vice-President
20 direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to re-
store order; q third time he paused
until Senator standing near one Of
the lobby doors finished a conversa-
ton With q friend. He demanded and
received the complete attention OF his
audience.
OF oil the critics of la Toilette Sen
ator Robinson, OF Arkansas, was the
bit.erest
There are only TWO sides 20 this
conflict" exclaimed Senator Robinson.
shaking his finger al La Toilette, Ger
manism or Americsnism, the Kaiser or
President Wilson. | want TO know
where the Senator from Wisconsin
stands. have heard his speech, and
I don't know where he stands. The
American people want to know where
he stands
The Senator paused, and then, sol
emnly addressing La Toilette, who
stared fxsdly back, he hurled this
shot:
by God, yo1 ought 70 stand here
and support tho flag and the Pres'-
lent and help bring victory TO Amert-
can arms.
"Do not any Of you deceive your
selves with the theory that you can
organize the disgruntled, semi-disloysl
elements Of the United States and run
for the Presidency on platform OF
di,loyalty. 1t cannot be done. You
can. even start the running, much less
win. That flag stands for justice, JUS
tice al home, and liberty abroad. That
fag never was lifted in nobler cause
than in the present conflict with Ger
many. II you cannot agree with this
statement, for Gods sake, familiarize
yourselves with current events as 70
the attempted cheerless responsibility
Of misreprssenting your country and
its leadership before the American peo-
ple."
His Place Is in Bundesrat'
III | entertained the sentiments ex-
pressed By the Senator from Wisconsin
would not wal, for action BY the Sen
ate. would not think | had q right
10 a seat in the United States Senate.
I would seek the companionship OF
those whose cause my sentiments were
intended 70 encourage. | would apply
20 the Kaiser FOR a seat In the Bundes'
rat"
THE Senator from Wisconsin is
strangely inconsistent" continued Sen
ator Robinson. "iIe makes plea for
free speech for himself. Why should
the Senator cri.icise the press and the
people who have criticised him and
suggested that he abandon his seat IN
the Senate?
"The Senator from Wisconsin has
spent two and a half hours in an at
tack on the Congress and the govern
ment Of the United States, but not one
word for the flag or for the men who
are fighting for that fag."
Replying 20 the charge made by Sen
stor La Follette that hundreds OF eiti-
zsns we're being thrust into jail with
out justice or process Of law, Ssnstor
Robinson said ths, most Of them we're
undoubted German sympathiIers III
had my way" added Senator Kooin-
euted and every German hir.lins would 4
be put in jail
Ansvering the arrumsnt made ~