Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-01-25
POLITICS IN The SENATE
Speech Of Senator Stone Starts a
Big Blaze.
REPUBLICANS ACCUSED OF POLITICS

REPUBLICANS ACCUSED OF NLlTlC'
Roosevelt Denounced as the Most So
| ditious Man Of consequences IL
| Ameriea-RepubIiean Leaders Reply
| With Vigor-First Political Debate
for Quite a While.
J., Smoulderng fires Of partisan feeling
were set ablaze in the senate Monda!
by Senator Stone. veteran Democrat
with a long prepared speech accusing
Republicans Of playing politics in
their criticisms Of the governments
conduct Of the war and calling Theo-
dore Roosevelt the most seditious
man Of consequence in America
| There had been plenty Of advance
notice Of the speech. which admins
tration leaders sought vainly to induce
the Missouri senator to abandon OF
postpone. The senate galleries were
crowded, and Republican spokesmen
were waiting with replies. There were
|
two hours Senator Stone was speaking
and when he closed Senators Pen
rose, Lodge. New and others on the
Republican side answered with vigor-
Gus defense Of their right TO make
proper criticism Of inefficiencies and
with counter-charges Of partisanship.
Senators Lewis. Kirby and other
| Democrats, Joined In the fray. which
lasted until the session ended Monday
night with adjournment until Thurs
day. 1t was suggested in the lobbies
that the two-day recess was arranged
in the hope that both sides would cool
off and permit the controversy to be
dropped. Many senators who did not
| take the floor were busy with notes.
however. and doubt Is generally eX-
pr, ssed that another outbreak can he
| prevented. Senator Johnson Of Cali
fornia. was particularly busy with his
pencil when Senator stone attacked
| Colonel Roosevelt.
Much Laughter.
/
| used by the debaters. much OF the
time during the days battle the gal
laries and floor were in laughter. Sen
| ator Penrose's salles would set the
chamber into n litter when the discus
sion was taking it's most serious turns.
Several times Vice President Marshall
threatened to clear the gallaries. and
once he actually ordered 1t done, but
Senator James's point Of order that
most Of the disorder was among the
senators themselves. prevailed.
Senator Stone delivered his attack
IN characteristically vehement fashion
He strobe the middle aisle, shouting,
/ lmenacing with clinched fist or wag-
ging finger his political opponents on
the other side.
| Senator Penrose in his reply con-
,eded his desire to oust the Democrats
I from control OF the government, de-
claring a more efficient administration
would thus be secured.
Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts
spoke more seriously. He deploret
Injection Of politics into the war; de-
Tended Colonel Roosevelt. declared
that the Republicans have given ant
will continue 10 give their support tt
the administration toward winning thu
war. but will continue criticisms o.
mistakes and inefiiciency.
1t was the greatest political debate
in the senate since the war began.
Making his general charges In mos
vigorous terms. Senator Stone dra
matically marshaled his witnesses
rs IL before q court, to prove them
Chairman Wilcox Of the Republican
national committee. and lastly. TIT
star" witness, Colonel Roosevelt
whom Senator stone denounced o.
the most potent agent the kaiser ha'
in America" and the most seditiou
man of consequence in America.
Senator Penrose and Republican
Leader Gallinger took notes as N
proceeded. Senators Penrose ant
Lodge whispered in conference ant
the Massachusetts, senator also tool
notes on the address. 1t was apparen
that the Republicans were preparing u
make some speeches also.
j As he began presenting his wit
ncsses" Senator Stone named Senate
. penrose and glanced from his readinl
, at the Pennsylvania senator. who. ap
, parently calm and undisturbed. gaze'
,ntently at the speaker and fingered
booklet while sitting at ease.
n Senator Penrose interrupted Senate
stones statement Of partisanship II
appointing state explosives inspectors
"All the references made to me ar
literally true" said Penrose. and
am astounded at my own moderation
But. does the senator mean to stat
that partisan, dyed in -the-wool, motor
, ious Democrats were not appointe'
explosives inspectors in all Of the q
states?
! Il do not know; hope the senate
|, is not mistaken" Senator Stone retort
ed. and proceeded with his address.
Penrose Interrupts.
When Senator Stone declared Col
onel Roosevelt apparently could sa:
things which less important person
might say only by subjecting them
selves to arrest, Senator Penrose In
terrupted with words tumbling out
demanding:
Does the senator advance the ex
traordinary doctrine that every citizel
hasn't the right to say what he think
of Mr.. Wilson without going to Jail
, Docs he say that citizens haven't tn
| right to say that Mr.. Wilson sur
rounds himself with persons 30 incom
petent that the war program has beel
, seriously delayed, or that he hide
, himself away inaccessibly?"
Il did not say that: will explain,
Senator Stone replied calmly.
/ THE senator ought to explain,
y Senator Penrose retorted. IT'S re
.oartable doctrine TO say than any