The Washington herald., 1918-04-09
SEN. HARDWICK
MAKES ATTACK
/. ON POINDEXTER
Bitter Debate Takes Place
Over Amendments
to Spy Laws.

OCudlOT I1dEu"lOhg VI
hurled the lie clear across the Senate
chamber at Senator Poindexter. OF
Washington. yesterday afternoon dur
ing q debate on the spy amend
ments."
Exciting words flashed back and
forth and the galleries sat in rapt
attention.
Verbal shrapnel such as insulting
language" "opprobrious epithet" and
"foully misjudged'' burst in lively
fashion about the heads OF the con-
tending solons.
Gore. the blind Senator from Okla
homa, sat behind Hardwick, while the
Georgian was speaking. Audible re-
marks by Gore. who was accused OF
prompting Hardwick. led Robinson. OF
Arkansas, the temporary presiding Of
ficer. to rap his gavel without stint or
limit.
Calls Statements Untrue.
''The Senator is guilty of conduct
on this floor" said Hardwick. looking
straight at Poindexter," that he ought
to regret to his dying day.
He is guilty Of statements that arc
not true"
With these words Hardwick drew
the sleeves OF his coat up until his
shirts1eeves cleaned white. He bowed
and paused.
"I yield to the Senator" he said as
distinctly as he could frame the words.
But Poindexter remained in his seat.
The row occurred when Polndexter
questioned Hardwicks sincerity over
attempts to amend the amendments.
Hardwick. at white heat. cried:
The Senator cannot use language
such as 'oppribrious epithet' II ne
wants to do that, this is not the place
to do it!'
There were all sorts of disorder by
this time. Robinson was rappIng Wig
orously.
Poindexter Replies.
THE Senator's manner of conduct
ing debate is offensive" said Poin-
dexter. who is easily a head taller
than Hardwick. Il feel like saying
that when his debate, and the Sena-
tors record so far as the war is
concerned are considered. it can be
concluded that it is not the Senator's
sincere desire to strengthen the ad-
ministration's hands.
Il draw my conclusion from the
Senator's language. and submit the
whole to the country"
Here Hardwick made his outburst
Poindexter broke in. proclaiming:
Il call the Senator to order. He
has repeated his offensive language.
I would repeat my idea. but 1 might
violate parliamentary law"
Robinson warned the Senators not
to go too far Hardwick proceeded:
1T is a pitiful time when a mans
motives are foully misjudged. It's
a very common thing for men to wrap
the flag around their own short-cem-
ings. and to bulldoze and browbeat
others who do not vote with them.
Is the Senator from Georgia to be
indicted by the distinguished Sena-
tor from Washington because he
does not vote with him."
This about ended the row, which
came up in connection with the
amendments of Borah of Idaho to
substitute the word intended for
calculated" in sections Furnishing
acts likely to incite sCdition.
POlndeXter Opposes.
Later. the Senate adopted the
change by a vote of "a to 2S.
Poindexter argued against the alter
alton, saying 1t was no more neces-
sary to prove Intent than in the
case Of a smallpox patient who did
as much harm unintentionalIy as in
tentionally. Fall of New Mexico took
this position. saying that II the
amendments did not fully punish sedi-
tion. communities would take into
their hands what the courts would
leave undone. Lodge of Massachu-
sets, spoke 70, the amendment, say
ing:
I'VE should guard such legislation
so 1t cannot be used for persecution"
During the discussion Sherman or
Illinois made a red hot speech against
the lynchers OF Robert Praeger, the
German, at Collinsville, his (Sher-
man's) state.
ut was deliberate, wilful murder
and the men who hung Praeger should
be hung themselves" he said.
The amendments will be debated
again tomorrow.