Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-03
MESSAGE RECEIVES
HOSTILE RECEPTION
Applause Comes Only From
Democratic Side of
House.
SENATORS GENERALLY SILENT
Republicans Introduce Resolu-
tons Declaring Presidency Va
can't During Wilson'S Absence.

WASHINGTON. December 2.-prcsi-
dent Wilson gave 10 the country to-
day. IN an address to the joint session
OF Congress. his reasons for going
abroad at the head OF the American
peace delegation
The address was delivered under the
most remarkable circumstances that
have characterized his career as
spokesman before Congress. For the
first time lie faced Il senate and House
in which signs Of hostility were plain
~ and Enthusiastically visible. For the
first time Senators and Representative
in his own party. as we'll as j.: the
party of the opposition. sat silent and
unrcsponsivc when attempts were made
TO start applause. When the applause
did come ii was not the generous and
spontaneou. ,outburst Of old.
The President was keeniy conscious
face we're quick to see the he shadow that ,i,
fell across his features, the closer
drawing Of the lips. the paling OF the
cheeks. His voice. husky at the be
ginning of his address. was even more
husky as the last few words were
spoken.
FAINT APPLAUSE GREI;TS
RAILROAD ANNOUNCEMENT
For the mos, part the Senators and
Representatives received the IreSi-
dents statement Of his prog ram Of leg
islation in absolute silence. There was
faint applause when he stated that
the railroads should not go back 10
their owners under the old system. al
though when he said that he turned to
Congress Tor counsel on the subject.
that he had mo confident Judgment Of
his own. there was smothcrcd laughter
and several audible ''arcnisi" on the
Republican side 'of the chamber
II was evident when the President
entered the hall 10. make his address
that among the Republicans there was
m. fa tpn N
President as shahbily as they possibly
could Without transgressing the bounds
publican member of either house APP
plaudcd when the President was es-
corted 10 the rostrum The applause
and the President turned in that di-
rection and smiled his acknowledge
ments. Then as he slowly allowed his
saw the entire membership of that
party standing silently and quietly at
attention.
The President rose above the sting
OF the intended rebuke. The smile did
not leave his face as he gaZed in the
direction of the Republicans. and then
to the gallery where Mrs. Wilson was
seated and then he turned TO the front
and began the delivery of his address.
REPUBLICANs APPLAUD NAMES
OF PERSHING AND SIMS
I, was that most cruel of all rebukes.
the rebuke of silence. and II was cruelty
administered As the President con-
tnued. the lack of cordiality on the
part of his audience grew momentarily
more and more oppressive. Only once
did the Republicans applaud. and tina
was when the names of Perslfing and
Sims were mentioned. Even then the.
applause WIS slight.
When the President reached that
portion of his speech dealing with the
trir TO Europe he paused for the frac,
n he Thought he
for him 10 go. senators and Repre-
sentatives who had been following his
statement of the Legislative program
ton 10 what he now had to say.
"REBEL YELL" SOMEWHERE
on DEMOCRATIC SIDE
He said it. and far over on the
Democratic side there was sounded
ping started. But risnt down in front
OF the President sat soma of the lead
ing Senators of his own party. and
they were as II glued TO their seats.
only IA few Of the Democratic Senators
rose and only one Republican. Smith,
Of Michigan. The rest sat in silence.
AS soon as the President had gone.
two resolutions to declare the office
vacant were presented. One was in
troduced in the House by Rodenberg.
OF Illinois, while the other by Senator
will be introduced tomorrow. The
Rodenberg resolution asks that Vice
President Marshall be seated as Presi-
dent pro tenn. but the Shcrmn reso-
luton goes further than this and asks
that the Presidents Office he declared
vacant for good and all and that the
Vice President take President Wilson'S
place.
Rodenberg.s resolution was referred
to the Judiciary Committee and prob
ably will not be again heard OF.
There was some talk that certain
might try TO interroeatc the President
while he was speaking. and set of
questions prepared for this purpose was
in the hands Of some Of he members.
Speaker Clark made IT plain. however,
that such plan would die a-bornin'.
because he would refuse Ia recognize
President was in the room.
Senator Cummins. of Iowa, introduced
the resolution which he prepared last
Senator's appointed to attend the peace
conference for the purpose OF keeping
the Senate informed regarding all the
Developments there. The resolution
Affairs of which Senator Hitchcock is
chairman.
Senator Hitchcock is not disposed to
favor the Cummins resolution. Tile
committee is to meet on Wednesday TO
consider il, but it is probable that if
the resolution comes before the Senate
at all il will be without any recon-
mendation. Leading Senators are Of
the opinion that the sending OF such Il
committee would he undignitied. that
the Senators who went on such mis-
sion would he in danger OF being snub-
bed. and that no Information of con-
sequence could be gathered by such a
delegation.
UITCHCOCK WOULD DEBATE
PEACE STEPS DAILY
The better plan. in Senator Hitc:,-
cocks estimation. is to have all the in
formation that leaks out Of the peace
conference laid in fun before the Sen
ate from day 10 day as it arrives. and
there debated in open session. This
discussion. it Is believed. would not
only serve TO acquaiut tho American
people with what is being done at the
peace table. but might have some in
nuence abroad IL the foreign repre-
sentatives are made acquainted in this
manner with American opinion.
In Senator ilitchcocks Judgment.
however, the Senate should do soma-
thing toward placing upon Vice Presi-
dent Marshall the responsibility for
carrying on the duties OF the .Presi-
dent while President Wilson Is away