The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-10-07
Wisconsin Senator Gives
Precedent in Justifica-
ton Of Position.
TO ISSUE STATEMENT
Congress Adjourns After Six
Months History-Mak-
ing Legislation.
CONTINUED From Page One)

no clearness Of understanding, no
unity Of opinion In this country on
the part of the people as to the condi-
tions upon which we are prosecuting
this war or what the specific objects
are, on the attainment of which the
present administration would be will
ing to conclude peace, it becomes
still more imperative each day that
congress should assert its constitu-
tional power to define and declare the
objects of this war which will afford
the basis for conference and for
the establishment of permanent peace.
Emphasizing denial of free speech,
Senator La Toilette added:
There has never been a time for
more than century and half when
the right Of free speech and free press
and the right of the people to peace
fully assemble for public discussion
has been so violated among English
speaking people as they are violated
today throughout the United States.
He Wants Free Speech.
In time of war even more than in
time of peace. whether citizens hap
pen W d6ICG Will luC luiAIi6
tration or not, these precious funda-
mental personal rights-free speech,
free press and right of assemblage
SO explicitly and emphatically guaran-
teed by the constitution, should be
maintained inviolable.'
Constitutional authority Of the
president to fix the wars purposes,
he questioned by implication.
Senators Kellogg of Minnesota and
Fall of New Mexico, Republicans, and
Robinson of Arkansas. Democrat. re-
piled with criticism of Mr.. La Follctte's
public statements. They denounced
what they termed his unpatriotic
stand.
Apparently stung by the criticisms,
Senator La Toilette made an unsuc-
cessful effort to get time for a re-
spouse. He succeeded, however, In
stating that he wished to make known
the authority for his declaration re-
garding the Lusitania and tonight an
nounced he would issue a public state
ment tomorrow. On Monday the SEN
ate privileges and elections investigat-
ing SUBJ committee will meet to in
vestigate his st. Paul speech, including
the Lusitania incident. Senator Walsh
Is member of the subcommittee.
Among the last acts of congress were
confirmation in open session of many
nominations, hastily sent in by the
president, including those of Major
Generals Pershing and Bliss to be gen
erals.
score of minor bills also were
passed by both houses. rushed through
engrossing and to the presidents pen
while the house virtually marked time
The senate met at 10 o'clock under
agreement for Mr.. La Toilette to speak
until / o'clock, with the rest of the
time for replies and miscellaneous
final business.
Right of free speech and of discus
sion of public questions was empha-
sized by Senator La Toilette, while
: senators criticising him declared that
he transcribed the constitutions
guarantees in that respect Senator
Kellogg of Minnesota bitterly de-
nounced as Islander on the intelli.
gence. honor and patriotism of tht
country" the alleged declaration Of
Mr.. La Toilette in st. Paul that thu
nation went to war to maintain ;
technical right of Americans to trave
on munition- laden vessels in behalf o
munition makers interest in the war
Senator Robinson indicated tina
Senator La Toilette has lent himsel
TO the promotion of the kaiser's idca'
and desires and demanded that thu
Wisconsin senator make known wheth
err he stands with Germany or Amer
lea.
Senator Fall said that utterance