The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-26
ST|Rs PARTISAN FEELING,
GCMSHOE BILL STONE MAKES
BITTER SPEECH,
charges Republican Leaders With
Playing Politics and Schcming to
Hamper Administration In Conduct
OF War-IIot ROast for Roosevelt.

Washington, Jan. 21.-Smol oldering
fires OF partisan feeling were set
ablaze in the senate today 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 Theodore Roosevelt
the most seditious man Of conse-
quence i'm America"
There had been plenty Of advance
notice Of the speech, which admins
tration leaders sought vainly TO induce
the Missouri senator to abandon or
postpone. The senate galleries were
crowded and Republican spokesmen
were waiting with replies. There were
many sharp Interruptions during the
two hours Senator Stone was speaking
and when he closed Senators Penrose,
Lodge, New and others on the Repub-
lican side answered with vigorous de-
Tense Of their right to make proper
criticism Of inefficiencies and with
counter charges Of craftsmanship
Senators Lewis, Kirby and other
Democrats joined in the fray, which
lasted until the session ended tonight
with adjournment until Thursday. It
was suggested i'm the lobbies that the
two day recess was arranged in the
hope that both sides would cool of
and permit the controversy TO be
dropped Many senators who did not
take the floor today were busy with
notes, however, and doubt is general
ly expressed that another outbreak can
be prevented. Senator Johnson OF
California, was particularly busy with
his pencil when Senator Stone at
tackled Colonel Roosevelt.
In spite OF the vigorous language
used by the debaters, much OF the
time during today's battle the gal
leries and floor were in laughter
Senator Penrose's sallies would set the
chamber into litter when the dis
cussion was taking its most serious
turns. Several times Vice Prcsiden,
Marshall threatened to clear the gal.
leries and once actually ordered il
done. but Senator James point Of or
der that most of the disorder was
1 n -,
vailed.
Senator Stone made his attack ir
characteristically vehement fashion
He strode the middle aisles shouting
and menacing with clinched fist OF
wagging finger his political opponents
OH the other side.
Senator Penrose in his reply con.
ceded his order TO oust the Democrats
from control Of the government, de.
claring more efficient administration
would be thus secured.
Senator Lodge OF Massachusett.
spoke more seriously. He deplored in
lection Of politics into the war, de.
Tended Colonel Roosevelt, declarins
that the Republicans have given and
will continue to give their support tc
the administration toward winning the
war but will continue criticisms o.
mistakes and inefficiency.
Senator Stones Speech.
Washington, Jan. 2I.-Characteriz
ing former President Roosevelt q:
the most potent agent the kaiser has
in America" and "the most seditiou.
man OF consequence in America" Sen.
ator Stone. addressing the senate to-
day, charged that Republican leader.
are engaged in a studied effort tc
make politics out of the war. Thei,
object Is to take the government over
into their own hands," by partisan
criticism of the conduct of the war
he declared.
Senator stones address, carefully
prepared, the first Of political signifi.
cance made in congress since the
United States entered the war. ant
regarded as the forerunner Of bite,
partisan strife, excorated partisan
ship in the war. Besides Col. Roose.
welt the Missouri senator named
Chairman Wilcox of the Republican
national committee and Senator Pen.
rose among Republican leaders as his
witnesses to the political plot he
! alleged. Investigations by congress
Of war operations, Senator Stone alsc
declared. have almost entirely been
launched by Republicans and adroitly
exploited for partisan purposes.
Citing statements of the Republican
leaders regarding the political plans
ana editorials of Col. Roosevelt