Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-11-11
Members Vote 0verWhelm-
ing|y That Milwaukee Man Is
Ineligible Because of His
Open Opposition to War.
WISCONSIN MEMBER
HIS ONLY SUPPORTER
Instruct Governor to Call Spe-
ciaI Election to Fill Vacancy
ELECTED Representative in
Speech Attacks Government.

Washington, Nov. l0.-Victor L.
Berger, Milwaukee. socialist. was
denied his seat in the house today
by an overwhelming vote, the house
holding he was ineligible for mem-
bership because OF his open opposi-
ton to war
The vote to unseat Berger was
800 to /, Representative Voight. re-
publican, Wisconsin, being the only
member to support the Wisconsin
socialist. either during the debate
or on the roll call
Seat Declared Vacant.
After denying the seat to Berger
the house declared that the seat
was vacant, holding that Joseph P.
Carney, democrat, who contested
Berger's election, did not receive
plurality in the election last year.
Without a record vote the house
also directed Speaker Gillett to mott
fly the Wisconsin governor of the
vacancy in the state delegation so
that a special election may be called
to choose a new member.
Keen Interest Taken.
The interest of the members in
the Berger case was reflected in the
interruption of committee sessions
when the matter came up. An
nouncing postponement of the naval
committee hearing, at which Secre-
tary Daniels was testifying, in
order to permit members to be in
the house for the debate and final
vote on the Berger case, Chairman
Butler, republican, Pennsylvania.
said it was "an opportunity to turn
a mad dog OUT and that he did not
propose to miss it."
Uproar in House :.
Consideration of the right of Ber-
ger to seat proceeded amidst
somewhat of an uproar in the house
chambers and with crowded CALLER
les. A detail of capital police guard
ed the entrance of the mems gal
lery. Berger's wife and nephew
were in the public gallery until
shortly before the role call, but Ber-
ger himself, after alternating during
the debate between the chamber and
the lobbies, left just as the vote be-
gan.
Explaining his activities, speeches
and articles but making no defense.
Berger attacked the executiv.
branch of the government and then
turned on members of congress
whom he called rubber stamps #
the administration" This drew
from Representative Blanton, demo-
crat, Texas, the demand that he con-
fine his remarks to his own activi-
ties in connection with the war.
Berger charged that his exclusion as
"a member of congress would be
cut and dried affair because l am
a socialist and opponent of war and
profiteering.
Takes Back Nothing
Il take back nothing l said in nv
speeches and articles" he said. "and
under the same circumstances
would say and write it all over
again, only l would make it a great
deal stronger"
!, The espionage act under which lie
was convicted was characterized as
AN Infamous measure passed at the
order of American plutocracy."
Representative Voigt, republican.
Wisconsin, speaking in defense of
Berger, declared the house should
permit man whether socialist
or of some other party to express
his opinion"
Railroaded to Jail.
Il believe Berger was railroaded
into Jail at Chicago" Voigt added.
1T was an outrage to try him at
that time. | have no sympathy with
the prosecution of such men. l be-
lieve that the men who are in iaii
as the result of conscientious OBJ
lection to war ought to be released
at once"
Chairman Dallinger of the special
Continued on Page Two. Column Two.)