The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-02-15
Governor Asks Legislation
to Punish Disloyal Speech
Continued From Page one.h

\~OAtAuuc0 TINHi rage Oue.k
circumstances OF the times and tn,
great sacrifice which they must OF ne.
ccssity make in the cause of the people
To suspend the operation OF statute.
OF limitation against them during theil
time Of service and for a reasonable
time after discharge, and to impose a
moratorium In their behalf would seen,
to be but proper and just. l would
urgently recommend that such action
be taken as may seem to be reason
able. equitable and fair under the cir.
cumstances.
State Council Of Defense.
The national government has seen
tit to constitute and maintain a Coun-
Gil of National Defense. and has asked
that the states organize such bodies
Tor corporation along defense lines
AS governor of the state I appointed a
State Council of Defense, but it has
no legal existence and no real authority
Tor either its existence or its acts.
nevertheless, the State Council of De-
tense has been active and has rem
dered very substantial and important
service.
IN order to carry on the activities
suggested by the national government
ana inaugurated by the State Council
81 DeIense, state money was utilized
from some of the various departmental
infUis The agricultural college fund.
LlE farmers institute fund, the agri-
cutturaI extension service fund and the
department of agriculture and publicity
rama We're all invaded. l would not
only recommend that the State Council
OF Defense be made a legal entity and
ommend. in addition to this, THAI an
appropriation be made to make rood
me amounts used from the various
FUNDS mentioned as we'll as to enable
me state Council of Defense to con-
uuct future activities. If this is not
Done the various departments from
Whlcn funds have been taken viii be
circumscribed and restricted in their
work for. the present year.
Home Guard.
Ever since danger threatened the
country from without there has been
rear q disturbance within. Many com
Hsuiilllcs have organized home ruard
and the national Congress
rus provided a degree of recognition Ia
shch organizations. 1t is very evident
'hhe home guard companies will be
maintained in this state either with or
M'thout law enacted by the state on
she SUBJECT. If they remain in existence
"uer present circumstances they are
without either legal authority or legal
rights, save and except the general
privileges and immunities enioyed bv
ana the duties imposed upon the in
oNidual members as citizens of the
state and of the nation They may
peElofn, and in some instances have
performed, important civic duties. but
1herc IS the danger that always comes
ifom lack Of clearly defined legal mr.
pose There is no community legal
responsibility. The home guard COM
pany Is merely an aggregation Of citi-
ems banded together for the general
Sood. ara as such they constitute the
ole Judges OF the rights and powers of |
y Is easy to see that the splendid |
purpose Of defending the Community
~ Ns wight sfeproperty-e1hd .bersbnal \
leace may be readily converted by ex.
less ana Intolerance into a means of |
posiliVe menace to the safety of fndi- !
Viuuals and neighborhoods would |
recommend that home guard Companies
oc gwen legal status and their rights.
minority, and the scope OF their activ-
ny defined and that the organizations
my the members thereof be made re-
,ponsiolc officers of the state with a
obligation as such.
Seditien and Treason. |
While we all realize that primarily II |
IS The duty of the genera. government |
TO protect the people against seditious,
reasonable and disloyal acts and Mt
lerahces, nevertheless it is apparent
mat the state should have statutes on
me subject SO that there may be no
lnihre of punishment and repression.
ACTS OF such character are intended |
10 hinder. delay and defeat the very
purposes for which we are giving our
best efforts, contributing our materia, |
means and sacrificing our own flesh
ma blood, The great war must and |
VIII continue until our enemies are |
Nations are like men-they !
arc not conquered until a full rcaliZa |
ION of their defeat is forced upon
lhein. Just so long as our enemies feel |
nat there Is q possibility of America |
weakening, Of her being turned aside |
rom her great purpose by internal dis |
sension, lack of unity or division Of |
sentiment, there is hope for the antag- |
mist
Germany and the central bowers
'Ihst BE. made to understand that |
America is In this war to win, no mat