The New York herald., 1920-01-11
(Continued from Page one.)


respective seats
Question Presented.
You should bear clearly in mind that
no attack il made upon the views of the
Assembly ,ymen-elcct in question however
opposed they may be In theory to the in
stitutions of the United States and in this
state. The question presented squarely Is
whether the different orga anizations OK
which they are members and which they
seek to represent in the Legislature advo-
cate methods and employ tactics to br'n :
about tho overturu Of our form OF govern
ment which will justify thetr exclusion
from participating ia legislative proceed
Iings. The evidence respecting the Socll!-
list party OF America and other orgeniza-
tions 10 which they belong and the con
duct of the five Assenrblymen-clect as
nnenBbers thereof will be presented before
the Judiciary Committee and Win there be
| irnpa rtislly judged with view TO doter-
mine the right and fitness OF those inol-
yiduais TO take their seats, and IN TINS
lconnection IL might be well to call your
attention to this outstanding fact that
sharp line r1r dernarcation was drawn in
Aoril. 1917. between Socialism and tho So
cdaaist party Of Anerica-t1ose Socialists
who placed the honor of their country
a boyc their creed resigned from the So
cialist party OF America and have done
ist party OF America as at present consti-
tutea IA un-Amercan. Is allied with the
forces of Soviet Russia in an attempt to
institute In this country new form oil
government and dictatorship OF the pro-
lletariat.
"To quote from your letter, you stated -
| .If public officers or private citizens nave
any evidence that any individual. or group
of individuals, are plotting revolution ano
seeking by violent measures to change our
government, let the evidence be iaid pe'
| fore the proper authorities
els not the Judiciary Committee OF the
Assembly the propert tribunal TO inVes-
tigate the fitness of those who seek seats
in the Assembly. as the rules of that BODY
provide. and is not the Assembly ltseif tne
proper tribunal TO determine the question
OF fitness of these five men? The consti-
tuition of this State so provides.
| II believe il is my duty, as 1t lis that OF
every patriotic citizen, to withhold Judg-
ment until findings OF fact are presented
| and a fair determination had.
II must further emphasize that be-
| lieye that a criticism of the Assembly
action without full knowledge Of the facts
in the case of necessity gives aid and COM
! fort TO those elements OF our society which
seek the destruction of our institutions
Respectfully,
"THADDEUs c. SWEET"
Prior to giving out his letter to Mr..
! Hughes. Mr.. Sweet was asked who had
furnished the inspiration for the action
of the Assembly. 1t having been said that
many OF the Republican State leaders as
cribed IL wholly to the Speaker.
1 Advisers Not Disclosed.
Il .I have been studying the matter for
1 five weeks" he said. land laid it before
| others who after giving it mature con.
1 sideration assure me ! was right, and
went ahead"
''Will you say who your advisers wereT
he was asked.
"No. will not" he replied emphatically.
The Speaker said that the procedure be-
fore the Assembly had been strictly &C.
cording TO the rules. He declared that he
had not been prompted by any partisan
motive, but purely by sense OF vigorous
Amcricansm.
The vision Of the public ts ohscurcd
Iby a haze resulting from the insidiouS
Icharacter OF this propaganda" said the
Speaker 1T Is time the people had Il
brought home to them what really Is go
ling on In this country. This isn't par
ltisan matter. but a clear. clean iSsue oi
America nism. Don't you suppose chat u
these charges are upheld the people vii
approve OF cur action?"
Then you are pretty su-e OF your
lground In the cases against the i've So
lcialists?' he was asked.
yes" he replied. II have had ths evil
dence passed upon by eminent lawyers.
am not as coed a constitutional lawyer
as. say, Mr.. Hughes and others. but my
sense OF Americanism IL just as keen"
Il Speaker Sweet declared that in his opia-
hon the right step had been taken,
whether or nor the five Assenblymen
were eventually denied their seats by
1.-THE findings OF tie Judiciary Committee.
lie emphasized the fact that the Ju.
ldiclary Committee would make a thor
Iough ard impartial investigation OF the
matter and that the Assembly then
would act upon the findings.