The Marietta journal and courier., 1918-05-31
WELL JUST HOW LOYAL
HAS Mr.. LEE BEEN?

trist continues to praise Mr.. Lee for
his great loyalty to the President ano
to those measures advocated by him
the Congressional record would at
this time make some interesting read
ing to those who have not kept tab
on Mr.. Lees patriotism as recorded
by his votes.
To begin with Mr.. Lee fought and
voted against the selective draft bill
to the very last. On April % 1917,
when the military bill was under con-
sideration, (Record pages 1922 and
I1434) was offered the following a.
mendment ION page 5, line19, strike
out Volunteers or" so that the par
agraph will Grad as follows; Fifth.
Raise by draft, organize, equip and
officer, as provided in third paragraph
of this section, in addition to and for
each of the above forces, such recruit
training units as may be deemed nee
essary for the maintainance of such
! forces at the maximum strength. D."
Also, amand on page 6, line 16, af-
ter the word Draft" insert and all
other forces hereby authorized shall
be raised and maintained by selective
draft exclusively"
On the call for the yeas and nays
on these two amendments, and three
other amendments providing for the
selective draft instead of the volun-
teer system, Hon. Gordon Lee cast
his vote against tehm, (Record page
147D although these amendments
were Administration measures and
were strongly advocated by Presi-
dent Wilson.
The President also advocated and
recommended a bill prohibiting the
sale of Intoxicating liquors in the
city of Washington. Mr. Lee voted
against this bill.
The President sent message ask
ing for Woman Suffrage and Mr.. Lee
voted against this also.
1t is evident therefore that Mr.Lee
has not been such stong supporter
of the President and his policies, ex-
cept insofar as he has had to do so.
The two letters of Congressman
Bell which we print below just about
shows the true "inside to the case,
and real motive" of the Congressman
who voted against the Selective
Draft Bill.
Washington June 25 1917.
Mr.. John G. Wood,
Auburn, Ga.
Dear Mr.. Wood;
Your letter under date of
June 21 addressed to Judge Brand,
has been handed me for reply, which
is the usual courtesy between mem
bers of Congress, and | daresay
Judge Brand will so write you.
Like majority of the people in
your section am also opposed to the
Conscription Act and voted against
it and did everything l could to de-
feat it, but it carried by an over
whelming majority. | am glad to say
that a majority of the Georgia dele
cation voted against it. The vote
of the Georgia delegation is as fol-
lows: For conscription; Adamson,
Howard, Overstreet, Vincent, and
Walker; Against conscription; Bell,
Brand, Crisp, Larson, Lee, Park and
Wise
| think it unfortunate that the con-
scription act passed as | believe that
a large majority of the people thru
out the country are opposed to it.
However, it is the law of the land and
we will have to make the best of it.
Since Russia is standing up and
getting more active, | am convinced
that the war will end within year
and if not probably before we can get
actively into it.
| shall be glad to hear from you at
any time. With best wishes, am,
Your friend,
(Signed) Thomas M. Bell.
Washington, D. c.,
August 13, 1917.
Mr.. John G. Wood,
Auburn, Georgia.
Dear Mr.. Wood;
Your letter received some time ago
was forwarded to me from Washing