The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-10-06
ILaF gillette
'InDefense
Of Rights
In Lengthy Speech Before
Senate, Wisconsin Sena
tor Under Fire Pleads
Right Of Free Speech.
Opposed War Before De-
claration Was Made Not
Attempting to Hamper
Government Now.

4 s, y ~ ~
Washington, Oct. 6-Gon-
gress entered the last hours Of
THE session with all attention
burned to the senate, where
Senator LaFollette took the
floor in answer to the critics
who have petitioned for his ex-
pulsion because of his course
land public utterances toward
the war.
BY pre-arrangement two
hours was reserved, in which
senators were to reply at The;
close Of his speech. ADJOURN
.unent was expected at 8 O'Clock.
Members Of the House, which was
only marking time. waiting for the
Senate. hooked to the Senate cham
lber. where galleries and floor were
damned in expectation of spectacu-
Tar finale to the session.
L.aFol1ette, always spectacular
figure in debate, had spent yesterday
and most of the night preparing his
speech.
Standing at his seat in the front row
Ibefore the vice presidents desk, La
Follette began his address, reading
icarefuIly and deliberately his manu-
script. with Senators giving close at
Itenfion.
Defending his course of opposing
Fthe declaration of war and subse-
iQuent attacks on war policies. La
Eol1ette declared:
ut Is the citizens duty to obey the
naw until 1t is repealed or declared
2 Unconstitutional. But he has the
dnalienable right to fight what he
deems an obnoxious law or wrong
fuI policy In the courts and at the
ballot box"
As he proceeded Senator LaFolIette
GrndualIy drew toward his customary
IRE of delivery gesturing with clench-
ye6 lists as he referred to free speech
and raising his voice at times with
Z Emotional emphasis. Occasionally he
stepped from his desk into the center
aisle. threw back his head and de-
claimed his constitutional right fol
Freedom of discussion of public ques.
kions
Nowhere in his remarks did Senate
Et. Paul speech, which resulted in tn
ziood OF petitions for his expulsion an,
(which is to be Investigated by orde
of the senate. This course somewha
fhrew awry the plans of senators VIII
fwere preparing speeches in reply.
rHonest dealfngNwith our allies ais
requires a clear statement of our OBJ
bects," he declared. IF we do NO
}expect-to support them in dreams o
conquest that fact should be state
and our people are entitled to kno1
Mhaf vitality important fact before thi
rwar proceeds further Comnao
honesty and fair dealing require tn
FULLEST and freest discussion befor
the people of every Issue involved an,
fhat q plain and specific declaratio
lpf our purposes be speedily made b
the congress-"
Ia!Follette, facing In turn the RE
publican and the Democratic sides an
y hhe vice presidents rostrum, held u
p mass Of clippings too bulky to quot
which he had printed In the Cor
EreHsionAI Record instead
Once he stopped as rebuke to
pnan talking at gallery door. In tn
midst of a peroration as the interruI
MiDn. annoyed him he turned towa1
kne gallery and waited until Viz
president Marshall ad1norished IL
bergeant at arms to restore order
Again. senrt@r talking at one
6he lobby doors annoyed LaFollett
&nd he paused. LaFollette wante
6he complete attention of the sena
and demanded it Not for 1or
ftine has a speaker received the clol
fIattenffon La Toilette received, ar
Heldom has there been SO impressive