The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-03-13
LlNTHlCUM'S REMARKS IN LOWER
HOUSE OF CONGRESS ON ARMED
NEUTRALITY MEASURE; A CLASSIC

u IN not often that one finds anythiua
uf particular interest IN the Cungrc-
SiOnai Record. ~ the proceedings of
congress Eouerall make dun and ia.
-ipid reading But occasionally there
appears an oasis IN the desert Of poll
il.ti p1lavcr ON March !. when the
question ct giving the president au-
thurity To- arm merchant ships was be-
ing debated in the house, Representa-
tive linth!cum of Maryland delivered
the following BRIEF speech which, IN
uur opinion, - a rhetorical gem
Mir. Linthicum Mr. Chairman and
gentlemen OF the committee. II is not
my intention to take up much time
this morning, the question before the
House being a very serious one. and
there being . number OF gentlemen
who wish 10 express their views. I
wish to say. however. in the short
tire which is allotted me. that am
heartily IN favor Of b~estowtng upon
TIA" president 81 the United states the
power to supply our merchant ships
belonging TO American citizens and
bearing American registry with de-
tense arms. and to provide them with
sufficient ammunition and the proper
means to make effective use thereof.
80 that they may protect themselves
on the high seas against unlawful at
tack while IN their lawful and peace
ful pursuits.
feel that the president should oc
given every power necessary FOR the
protection Of our commerce ana for
the purpose OF uphuldiur the rights
OF the American people.
When the people cot this country
elected Woodrow Wilson president IN
1879 and again in 1916. they bestowed
upon him not alone the office but all
the duties and responsibilities thereof
a- prescribed boy the constitution of the
lnitpd Sthtrs, one 81 the great duties
thus prescribed ~ commander In chief
Of the army and nav believe that
under the power allowed him by the
constitution that he has tull iurisdic-
ton and authority to de- the things
which he has asked the power to do iu
this BIN OH. L. lluJII. think that
he IL ~abundantly supplied 10y tn" con-
sitiution with sufficient power To- car
o. into execution the requests which
u" made Ia his rrDcut address 10 th'
congress of the United states, with
perhaps the single exception that he
need q credit In order To- carry ont
this duty. This credit We have given
him under the bin mentioned 60 the
cNt'ut uf 500 Uoo 600
TIL, president however. does not
desire TO So 1t alone IN connection
with 20 matter which concerns the
whole people. lie does not desire "a
igpor. IN, rights and opinions OF con-
grcss II is his desire that We should
proceed as q united congress, a.. q
united country. in the performance ~
what We believe To- he the rights %
American citizens u" might, as |
have said, have decided to have pro-
coded without the advice ana without
legislation from the representatives Of
the people. This. however NJ hts
not seen III 10 do. aud has brought t.
ua an the facts concerning the pres
Dut situation and has asked. through
this bill, the approval 1T congress To
hack up aud stand in the interest ~
the people.
The segislatiun provided an this bit
H. not q new thing In the history at
our country. \ number 81 ~prccedents
can he cited where congress ha- be
slowed upon the presidents the power
and authority which We are attempt
ing L. oestow upon Woodrow Wilson
Do, his oll. aud not In one ni these
instances has this power "a protect n
ships agalnst unlawful attack brought