Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-09


young boys, some Of them foreign
born, nearly every one OF them children
Of forsignborn--and want to so right
on record now as saying that those
boys there on the East Side in New
York City have just az high a sense
Of patriotism. and they have better
knowledge Of American history than
the boys with whom ] went to school
UP here in the State Of Maine. They
know the Significance Of Appomattox
and the other incidents OF American
history, because those incidents mean
to them a freedom which they never
would have attained on the shores
from which they came. That is what
brought them over here, or brought
their parents here, and they are here
to stand by this nation. I remember
once attending q political rally in Mad
ison Square Garden at which 1900
people were present, and before the
speakers arrived band up in the gal
lery was playing patriotic airs. They
played an Italian tune and the Italians
in the audience cheered for Italy;
they played the watch on the
Rhine" and the Germans applauded;
they played the "Marseillaise" and the
Frenchmen clapped their hands. 1t
played Dixie" and you all know what
the southerners do when they hear
Dixie" 1t played one Or two other
airs and finally started in to play
america" Every man and every wo-
man in that great building arose. 1t
started in the gallery. swept around
and was taken up on the floor, every
one of those people singing MY Coun-
try, tits Of thee, Sweet Land of Lib
erty" l will tell you, gentlemen of
this House, that they meant it, and
If you had heard them you would
have known that they meant it. So
submit that up here in old New Eng
land, where the old Yankee blood still
prevails, that we should be willing
to go on record as favoring military
training, favoring that spirit Of pre-
paredness which will set an example
to those who have come here to our
shores, and enable us to do as our
ancestors and forbears have done be-
fore us. l thank you. (Applause)
The SPEAKER: The Chair declares
that the report from the Committee on
Military Affairs is accepted in con-
currence.
Mr. BREWSTER Of Portland: Mr..
Speaker | do not wish to discuss the
principle of universal military train
ing, as suppose that every thought
full man in the face Of the tragedy
which has been enacted across the
seas. and is now being enacted, has
made up his mind on this serious
question. The only problem which
there seems to be for us is how can
we best tell the President and the
authorities at Washington what we
feel. ] presume there is no doubt as
to the passage of this resolution. The
reports coming to us from Washington
seem to indicate that there is no doubt
in the minds of the military authori
ties, nor Of the governmental officials,
as to the necessary action on this
question. Their only problem is
the country will back them
up, whether the individuals scattered
the country, upon whom
they must ultimately depend, will
back them up in their decision. 1t is
very difficult for them to find our pub
lie opinion. 1t is easy for large mass
es of men to indicate decisions which !
the individuals will not support We
have had roll calls here on great and |
small matters. We have rather played
horse with roll calls at times. 1t seems |
to me that we may well pause this |
in the consideration of this'f
question long enough to record the
individual convictions of every mem
Der of this assembly, because the wall
ne of their answer going to Washing !
ton as to what each individual men,
Der of the Maine House thought on |
this question, not swayed by the senti- |
ments of the others. not in any fear to
say yes or no. will carry the utmost |
weight and will give to the govern
mental officials in Washington the |
which they need as to the |
sentiment Of the several communities !
the country; and I move |
that the roll be called upon this ques-
ton.
Mr. LARRABEE Of Bath: Mr.. |
Speaker
The SPEAKER: The report from
the committee having been accepted.
the gentleman from Portland, Mr..
Brewster, moves the passage Of the |
resolution which the Chair will read |
if the gentleman from Bath, Mr.. Lar |
rabee, will pardon the Chair.
Joint resolution in favor Of universal |
M AIRY trairing under the federal |
government.
Whereas, the necessity of adequate |
defense is the most vital issue
before the American people, and
Whereas, the permanent safety of |
the nation demands efficient training |
Of the young men Of the country that
they may be properly prepared to |
render instantly effective military SER
vice in time of war.
Be it resolved. that the Senate and !
House Of Representatives in Legisla-
ture assembled are heartily in favor
of any fair and equitable law estab-
fishing a system Of universal military
training under the direction of the |
federal government;
BE it further resolved, that a CODY
Of this resolution be sent to our sena-
tors and representatives in Congress
by the secretary OF State.
The gentleman from Portland, Mr..
Brewster. moves the passage of the
resolution. and that when the vote is
taken. that the yeas and nays be call
ed. The Chair recognizes the gentleman
from Bath. Mr.. Larrabee.
Mr.. LARRABEE Now. Mr.. Speaker,