Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-09
LIVELY DEBATE
Another Strenuous Day
for Sedition Bill
Adoption of Amendments Designed to
Meet Objections Of Senators That
the Measure Might Prevent Lesiti-
mate Criticism

Weet objections OF senators That
the Measure Might Prevent legiti-
mate Criticism
Washington, April S.-Another day
Of lively Senate debate on the sedi-
ton bill. which would punish disloy-
al utterances and attempts to hindc.
the army draft and Liberty bond
campaigns resulted in the adoption
Of amendments designed to meet the
objection of senators that the meas
ure might prevent legitimate criti-
clsm IN the war.
The changes were in the clause
penaliZine 'disloyal, profane, scu:-
rilous, abusive or contemptuous lam
guage" directed at the 'forn1 Of gov
eminent. constitution, .ial J. uni
forms of the nation and calculated .
bring them into contempt OF scorn.
Senator Thomas of Colorado offer
ed an amendment to provide that
such acts should be "wilfull' ant,
Senator Borah of Idaho proposed e.
subst itrtc the word intended" for
"calculated F" here were objections
that convictions would be difficult 10
secure under such language. but
both amendments were approved,
that Of Senator Borah by vot" Of
ia to 2S. with partisan lines disre-
garded.
An amendment urged BY Senator
Hardwck Of Georgia. which led to n
controversy between the Georgia
senator and Senator PoindeNter Of
Washington, proposed that the words
cause Of the should be eliminated
from the latters amendment penal
izing those fayoring the cause Il
the German empire" II was reject
ed without a record vote. but not UNI
til the two senator's became SO point
ed in their language that the chair
called them to order Senator Hard
wick insisted that millions of people
honestly differ on the cause OF the
war. Senator PoindeXter retorted that
the Georgia senator had not par
ticularly supported the war and CIT
ed his opposition to the draft law.
Senator Sherman of Illinois took
occasion to denounce the recent
lynching of a German at Colllnsvlile.
his. as disgrace and criticized
town officials for failing 10 protect
the mob's victim. He urged that Ian
guage Of the bill penalizing con'
tcmptuous and scurrilous' criticism
should apply TO disloyal utterancHs
only. and said Assistant Secretary
Of Labor Post and George Cree.
chairman of the committee on pubic
information in the past. had written
articles severely critlclzlng ire
American form of government Whica
would be punishable under the meas
ure as now drawn.
Senator CaIlinger, the Republican
leader. also urged that the prohlhl :
ton should be limited TO disloyai Ut
1erances and suggested that as dra"'1
,heTlause might be construed TO pre-
Vent legitimatae criticism or We
President in the approaching political
campaign. Later he introduced q sun
stitute bill embracing his IDEALS D''
retaining substantially all other pro-
visions of the legislation.
Another unsuccessful effort was
made during the day by Senator
Overmau Of North Carolina N charge
of the measure TO secure unanimous
consent to fix a time for a final vote.
objections Immediately followed
referring to the discussion SatH'-
day of Col. ROoSevelts statement
that the bill would prohibit criticism
of the President. Senator Movers OF
Montana said: II believe that wheh
we are engaged in war that anybody
who uses vile language against the
President ought TO be punished. pc
lieyc it is just as offensive ana as
lovai language against the PRESIDENT
as tho same kind of language agaia's
The form Of government. | believe y
would be a better bill if the Preside lit
were included