The Washington times., 1918-05-05


in the Senate, Hon. Lee Slater Over
man, A. NJ, Ii. D., OF North Caro-
lima. scored another great triumph
yesterday. He damned through"
the conference report on the alien
and sedition bill. He also prevent
ed the restoration Of the France
amendment, which was intended 10
make the truth a defense against
punishment for objecting to govern
ment by magnates and supermen-
provided always that truth, il told,
should be told only for good purposes
and justifiable ends.
Senator Overman was ably sup
ported by Senator King, Of the great
and sovereign State OF Utah, but
though he could have had no abler
lieutenant in such a cause. Senator
Overman himself deserves the credi:
for the victory. Let him be con-
graduated heartily-especially on
the mild persistence with which,
after he has made up his mind, he
proceeds to enforce his decisions.
Among all Supermen (that is. "Uever-
menschen" or Overmen) who must
bring us into sujection to their
higher ideals for our own good, none
has yet appeared at the Capitol
comparable TO Senator Oyerman in
the almost seraphic amiability with
which he can jam through Admins
tratlon measures. Probably he
might put over any sort of a bill
needed TO make ordinary people safe
for democracy-eyen though they
may perspire in earning living until
they smell of sweat. II all such must
be supervised and regulated by sup
ermen, let them hope for Overman.
They could have no kinder, milder.
more considerate boss than Senator
Oyerman is for the Senate.
Senator Overman certainly puts
things over, regardless Of objection.
But he had very considerable objec-
ton to meet yesterday. Senator
Johnson OF California made one OF
the sort OF speeches which will be
heard at some time in the Long
Hereafter. when those who are now
putting things over will be called to
account to the American people-nOt
as sweaty and unsafe but as free
sovereign and able TO enforce their
sovereignty against any and all who
assert any sort OF superiority as a
title TO dominate them.
Senator johnson spoke for the lib
erty and sovereignty of the American
people as against all claims OF
superiority. Nothing more nearly
adequate for the occasion has been
said in the Senate He was especial
ly effective in his plea for the liberia
ton OF the press, as necessary for
the conduct of popular government.
When he came finally to the repre-
sentatives OF the press best known
to the Senate. IL grieved him that as
they are members OF the greatest Of
all professions, he had reason to
conclude that their function had
been reduced to hypocriucal sub
seryience TO power. This. lie
thought, must be realized by al! VINO
read their reports OF the dOings OF
the Government. Why? he asked,
and answered his own question:
'You have taken the heart out OF
them. They are afraid-afraid To tell
the truth" lie closed with an earn
est plea against the attempt to force
fear into the hearts Of brave men,
and against system which. for
American unity. would substitute
universal suspicion, with neighborS
as spies upon neighbors.
As other Senator'S spoke for and
against the bill until nearly 4
o'clock, when the final vote was
taken, the debate closed with char
acteristic incident. Senator Brande-
gee said he had just received a let
ter. signed Irving Washburne, and
dated New York. from which it ap-
reared that Mr.. Washburne was an
assistant attorney general or that
in some capacity he had ACCESS to
the attorney generals stationery,
and seal with the American eagle
on il. As he sent the letter to the
desk to be read, Senator Brandegee
understood it to be demand to
know whether he had really used
seditious language credited TO him
in a New York newspaper. Senator
Brandegee read the language as
used by him from the Congressional
Record. 1t is perhaps seditious
enough under the bill TO intern any
one who quotes it, regardless of all
question of whether it is true and
told for a good purpose. But with
out discussing that, Senator Brande-
gee read the Constitution. as it pro-
tects Senators from being put to the
question outside for their speeches
in the Senate. He called the send
ing of such letters an outrage, and
said he would not be called TO az
count as a United States Senator
by ANY little two-spot" in the office
Of the attorney general or anywhere
else. lie had immediate sympathy
from Senator Sherman, who said
that the letter was merely an illus
tration of what would go on under
the bill they were about to pass,
as the beginning OF a reign of ter
ror when every assistant somebody
who could command the service of
a stenographer and an official seal,
would become a seif-constituted