The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-08-08
HEFL|M DEN0UNCES TRAITORS,
SCORES ALLEGED STACKER AC.
TIVITIES OF CONGRESSMAN.
Alabamian's Speech So Strong that
House Expungcs Part of 1t From
Record.

washington, Aug. "A denuncia.
ton in the house today by Represen.
tative Hehin of Alabama of Repre-.
sentatives Mason and Britten of Hi.
nois for their attitude toward the
conscription law became so personal
that MIR. Hefiin's words were expunged
from the record.
Representative Miller of Minnesota
asked IL Mr.. Hefiin was aware the
two members he was attacking were
absent. Mr.. Hefin replied affirm
atively and added: II think they are
out stirring up opposition to the war
and to the selective draft and in get
ting Germans to hold meetings and
ask that they be exempted from SER
vice."
Immediately Representative Stafford
or wisconsin moved the words be ex-
plunged and when the demand was re-
FUSED on viva voce vote a roll call
was demanded.
Mr.. Heflin said he was perfectly
willing that the house should vote on
whether they should be expunged,
whereupon Mr.. Stafford's motion was
adopted, 100 to 1872.
THE people back home are getting
weary Of the way one branch of con-
gress is trying up legislation" Mr..
Helm told the house during the
speech which led up to the expunging
action. land l think we ought to make
1t clear and plain that this branch As
not a responsible body but that an
other body is responsible for the de-
lay for holding back these important
war measures. Here the other day,
one member in another body of con-
gress, by his objections, held up for
ten days the airplane bill Of the Unit
ed States. Would Germany have
asked any more? Another one prais-
ed the slackers and the traitors of
Canada for resisting the selectivc
draft. Would the kaiser have asked
more? Another has tried to discredit
Herbert G. Hoover before the country
They have bclittled him, they have
besmirched him as much as they
could. Would the kaiser have asked
more? And on yesterday one intro
duced bill to have a referendum as
TO whether or not the commander IN
chief should send men out upon the
ocean or beyond the ocean to fight for
the honor and the liberty of this
country. Would the kaiser have had
him change his tactics? And in this
house q member from Illinois intro
duccd bill. aid It is now rending and
the German spy system is having pe-
titions sent to members asking that
the selective draft be repealed, the
law under which we are forming an
army to defend the life of this ma.
ton from the dangers that threaten
1t.
Another gentleman from Illinois.
Mr.. Britten. introduced bill to ex.
empt all men Of German blood from.
responsibility in this war and from
fg..ting for the flag. What will that
do? Why. the kaiser says to them
the people of the United States are
not with the president. the Germans
won't fight against the fatherland;
Britten has bill which speaks that
fact. Mason is going to undo tho
selective draft and they will have no
army, and the senator from Georgia
has introduced bill to get every
mans consent as to whether he will
hght or not. On my responsibility as
Southerncr and as an American
loyal to that flag. l repudiate the &C.
ton of every Southcrner who is no.
loyal to the president in this war.
1T is true that Mason does not
speak the views of the people. that
Britten does not speak the views OF
the German people in Illinois and
nowhere else in the country. 1t is n
reflection upon all of them. Tbero
are a few anarchists and few trait
ors. Emma Goldman has been ar
rested and Berkman has been arrest
ed. lf l were president l would point
out some others who belong in that
class with them"
You are aware that the two pep.
tiemen from Illinois, Mr.. Mason and
Mr.. Britten. are not in the cham
ber?' asked Representative Miller OF
Minnesota.
Il want to tell him where I think
the two members are and let them
come and dpfnnl fho,,,col..cs. !, :,