Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-22

be traitors IL we sat silent and let the
country drift into disaster because
somebody calls it reasonable.
Criticism Public Duty, Says Penrose
Senator Penrose said he was surpris-
ed that Senator Stones statement was
not more formidable.
..Realizing what a disinterested polit-
ical character the senator has always
been" Senator Penrose continued, II
plead guilty to everything he has said
about me. But LIDO not think political
narttes should lie abolished simply the
country is at, war. Bipartisan organic
alton in England has failed. I am en-
tirely willing that the Democratic par
ty should go on with the war. but I
am determined that the Republican
party shall. retain it's organization and
support the administration in every
laudable way, going on with criticism
ITO criticize is a public duty as
conceive it. How else would we remedy
the defects unless attention ia called
TO them? 1t is not likely that the cab
met heads guilty Of inefficiency will
call attention TO it. OF course. l favor
restoration Of the Republican party to
power. am sufficiently impressed with
the inefficiency Of the present admins
tration to think that better admins
tration having more confidence Of bus
mess interests and the people could be
given under q Republican regime"
Senator Penrose added he had never
heard of any Divine ointment on Mr..
Wilson's head. The Missouri sena tor,
he thought spoke of the President as if
he were the whole government.
rs Mr.. Wilson to remain in power
forever" penrose inquired. is there
no one to succeed him.
The administration, he thought did
not have the confidence of the .Ameri-
can people.
He had kept silent and voted for ad-
ministration measures with few ex-
ceptions, lie said in order not to en-
harass the administration knowing
the hour of reaction would come and
the country would know what it was
entitled to know
Senator Stones speech, however.
Penrose declared was a direct invita-
ton to a reply.
The attitude of British statesmen
who Take the public into their conf
dence, remove irresponsible officials.
re-organize and go ahead Mr.. PEN
rose spoke Of in words Of praise The
Pennsylvania senator then referred to
the appointment Of Col. House, head
of the American Mission to Paris, as
tie presidents personal representa-
tive"
Crtieises House Appointment
Its strange doctrine" he con-
tinued that we have personal govern
ment in this country Wilson is not
the American government. The hlmb-
lest consular officer has to be con-
tirmed by this Senate before he can be
sent abroad. / never heard Of the
President sending personal repre-
sentative. 7 have heard of kings and
kaisers doing it, but it is not good
democratic method"
He referred TO Col. House as 1.-The
mysterious traveller whose expenses
are paidArom the contingent fund"
Senator Stone Defends Col. House
Senator Stone Interrupted to defend Col.
House. whereupon the Pennsylvania SEN
ator asked how the colonel got his mill
tary title. A roar Of laughter swept the
galleries. Before the Missouri senator
could reply, Senator Lewis explained 1t
was obtained by once having been men,
Der of governors staff
Senator Penrose reioined that he was
sure il Col. House had an opportunity he
would be another Napoleon or a Caesar"
but added his principal line seems to be
keeping under cover more than going over
the top"
While it was not necessary for the
Senate to confirm Col. House, it was
necessary to confirm all explosives inspec-
tors he continued II was told in cold
blood by the bureau of mines that the Y
would be appointed by Democratic sena-
tors or Democratic state chairmen That
doesn't chime in with the views about
-partisanship in the war In Pennsyl-
vania the Wilson government--I thinl.
that is the proper term, not the .Ameri-
can government-appoin as inspector
a Democratic gentleman engaged in SELL
ing root beer. He admitted that he didn't
want 1t If there was any work about it,,
In Arizona. Penrose added, the inspec-
tor was cigarnaker and in Connecticut
former saloonkeeper.
Can the Senate blame me for partisan
ship in the war" he asked, when learn
ed of all these inspectors being cheap,
small. domestic workers without qualifica.
tions? i intend later to address the SEN
ate on mistakes and Indebtedness In the
war, but l cannot this afternoon. The
subject is so vast
while millions Of dollars were being
spent, the secretary of the navy DELAYED
for three months important questions
about pettifogging economy. That is one
of the causes Of unpreparedness Why
not show it up in detail with view to
correction:
lneihciency i'll the war depa rtment
is equally notable. I am told that the
outbreak Of pneumonia is because those
in charge will not use ordinary meth
DDS of preventing the diseases"
Senator pcnrOSe then turned to the
coal situation. decla ring Fuel Admins
traitor Garfield a college president.
who probably never saw coal mine -
Men wonder to what depiorable
depths of inetiiciency the government
has dropped said he.
No Necessity for Coal Shortage
In my opinion there has been no ne