Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-22

tanned as member Of the governors
staff, or he might have obtained the
experience in the Texas Legislature. 4"
Lewis Protests Term lobbyist"
Senator Lewis insisted that Senator
Penrose should either prove his charge
that Col. House was lobbyist in Tex
as or withdraw it.
He owes it to the Senate to with
draw it and if he doesn't he stands in
contempt of the duty he owes to a
gentleman" said Senator Lewis, de-
ciarins that the term lobbyist implies
criminality.
The term is not necessarily one, OF
opprobrun" Senator Penrose replied.
mo man is pubic life said Mr..
Lewis. could better know tie mean
ing Of the term lobbyist"
Senator Lewis said that Presidents
Lincoln and Cleveland both had ap-
pointed personal Representatives on
diplomatic missions Senator Penrose
replied that Americans of rank in dip
lomatIc setsice equal to that of the
foreigners conferred with should have
been named.
Senator Lewis said Col. House had
represented tie President in a number
of missions and was the only man in
this country who had a personal &C
quaintance with those men represent
ing the various allied nations at the
conference.
AS the two senators continued their
colloquy, indulging in personalities.
there was so much laughter that the
Vice President warned the galleries
that all demonstrations must cease.
Later he ordered the serseant-at- arms
to clear the galleries, but Senator
James raised Il point Of order decar-
ing that virtually all the laughter was
among the members of the floor, and
the Vice President rescindetl his or
der.
In list of Republicans appointed
under the Wilson administration SEN
ator Lewis named Gen. Pe'shins,
Chairman WILCOX Gen Goethals. Eli
hu Root julius Rosenwald and Fl. H..
Davidson.
Republicans Salvation Of Situation
''They are the salvation of the sit
uation. Senator Penrose interjected
IF they weren't here and the office
holders We're the only ones. a very
different story would be told. They
are here to try to help pun the ad-
ministration out of a hole"
Senator Lewis replied that he would
not detract from the services OF the
men named.
But" he added, Il can't have the
Senator from Massachusetts charging
incompetency and, on the other hand.
have the Senator from Pennsylvania
take the credit to his party for the
men we have named"
Senator Lewis declared that all of
the officials examined in the War de-
partment investigation We're appointed
by Republicans and We're working un-
der the system provided during Re
publican regimes.
Il not only admit that said Senc-
tor Penrose but also state that army
and navy officers are most bitter in
private denunciation OF the heads the
President has put over them"
Senator Lewis declared that when
the present administration came into
power after 16 years of Republican.
rule, I'VE We're in no position 20 pro
tcct ourselves against the attack OF
Mexican poems"
Responsibility for n-Preparedness
Then followed an argument betw
the Illinois senator and Senator James,
Democrats, and Minority Leader Gal
linger and Senator Calder over the
responsibility for failure to take pre-
paredness steps during Republican adj
ministrations preceding that of Pres
ident Wilson.
Senator New took the floor to object to
the placing in the record by Senator
Stone OF what he termed We're charges
that VIII Hayes, chairman of the State
advantage of his position to carry on MS
Council OF National Defense, was taking
advantage OF his position to carry on his
political activities as chairman Of the In
diana state Republican committee. The
Indiana senator denied that this was true.
Senator New joined in the discussion 20
say that Thomas Taggart former Demo
cratic national chairman, was membe:
Of the Indiana Council of Defense. ana
charged the legislature of that state wiu
holding up a state fuel administrator s
appointment until Democrat could be Sc
cured. IF politics has been played in IT.
diana" he said, cit has not been by the
Republican party. and the Republicans Of
Indiana demand and will not be deried a
right to participate in the prosecution OF
this war
Kirby DepIores Discussion
Senator Kirby. a member of the militia
ry committee, deplored the discussion.
II do not believe the people are inter
ested in the success either of the Republi-
can or Democratic party" he said, "bui
in a military success. This discussion Is
not conducive to military success. and l
do not approve Of most of what has been
sa id"
In the investigation Of the military
committee, Senator Kirby declared par
tisan spirit had not been shown. and that
investigation had not shown serious de-
fciences. Every soldier. he asserted. at