The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-04-10
SEDITI0N BILL IN SENATE.
GERMAN SPIES, /. w. w. AND DIS
LOYALTY IN GENERAL DIS
CUSSED FREELY.
Reed Delays Vote, but Lynching OF
German i'm Illinois May Hasten Ac-
ton.

Washington, April 5.-All other
business was laid aside by the senate
today for denunciation of disloyalty,
sediton, German spies and the 1. W.
w. and discussion of how the Espion-
age Act should be extended so as to
! curb the evils and avoid mob law
without abridging the fundamental
liberties of American citizens.
While the senate debated the pend
ing sedition bill, carrying severe pen
alties for disloyal utterances and at
tempts to obstruct the draft or liberty
loans, President Wilson and the cabi-
net gave attention to reports of the
lynching of Robert Prayer, German,
at Collinsvlle, Ill.,, last night. Mem
bers of the cabinet said afterward
the deplorable incident emphasized
the necessity for immediate legislation
that would enable the government to
deal with disloyalty and enemy agita-
ton so that the people would not be
tempted to take the law into their
hands
Administration leaders in the SEN
ate hope to pass the sedition bill to-
morrow, the anniversary of Americas
entrance into the war. An agreement
Cor vote tomorrow, sought tonight
by Senator Ovcrman, of North Caro-
lima, in charge of the measure, was
blocked by Senator Reed, of Missouri
The Missouri senator said he was in
'ympathy with the general purposes
of the legislation. but thought
should not be hastily considered
Several efforts to widen the scope
of the bill were made today though
here were criticisms that it's prohibi-
ions against disloyal and seditious ut
'erances are already too broad. Sem
ltor Lodge, of Massachusetts,, intro
iuced an amendment prohibiting
transmission through the mails of
my matter printed in the German lam
suage. and Senator Lewis, of illinois,
offered one which would forfeit the
citizenship and property of persons
ldjudged disloyal by jury.
During the discussion the attitude
Of Victor Berger, Socialist candidate
Cor the senate in the recent Wiscon-
lin election, was denounced by Sena-
tors Borah, of Idaho, and Lodge, as
iisloyal and verging on treason.
Senator Lodge while urging the
1eath penalty for spies and German
agents who destroy property in this
country, said the bills restrictions up
IN free speech were too broad and
could be used to suppress legitimate
discussion. Senator Hardwick, of
Georgia, suggested that they might
prevent peace talk later when such
discussion might be proper.
Senator Borah called the senate's
attention to the lynching at Collins
lille. Senator Fall, of New Mexico.
aid that if congress does not enact
he necessary laws the people would
take the law into their own hands
With Judge Lynch"
Senator Lodge objected to the wide
)oWers now being exercised by the
postmaster General as to the use OF
he mails. Senator King, of Utah, de-
Jared these powers had been an eff
ective weapon in the hands Of the
government in stamping out the
propaganda of the l. W. w. and SIM
lar organizations, and added that in
| very case in which Mr.. Burleson haG
acted his judgment had been vindi-
Gated.
Senator Hardwick referred to the
act that in some peoples opinion ii
)orders on disloyalty to discuss peace
It this time and added:
The president did this country a
zig service when he recently discussed
he terms upon which peace could be
| made"
| The Georgia senator said we were in
he fight now, but he said he hoped
he time would come when we could
iiscuss our differences with Germany
| when that time comes, l want to
De able to discuss peace, unmolest-
ed" he added. The principal objec-
ion to the pending bill on his part re-
suits from the amendments inserted
by the senate committee, Senator