The New York herald., 1920-01-29
SOCIALIST MEETING
IN GARDEN FIZZLES

Madison Square Garden was less than
half filled last night for the much aover
tised nonpartisan protest meeting against
the action Of the State Assembly IN sus-
nending the five Socialists. The meeting
was frost In more than attendance, as
the temperature of the Garden was sucn
that heavy wraps were not uncomIorlaDie'
United States Senator Joseph l. Frances
Republican, of Maryland, who was 10
have been the principal speaker. was un-
able to. appear because or illness.
John T.. Milholland, who was active in
Republican politics more than fifteen
years ago, was chairman OF the meeting
land introduced the various speakers Mr.
Milholland emphasized the fact that the
meeting was purely nonpartlsan ana that
his appearance should not be interpreted
as meaning he sympathized any way witf'
the doctrines or principles of Socialism.
II am adyed-in-the-wool Republican" he
said. IT have been Republican since birth
and 7 hope to die one, and l shall die one
tprovided the Republican party continues
to carry out the principles of representa-
tive government, which / know 1t will"
| Mr. Milholland denounced the action OF
the Assembly and asserted II was not ono
that could be attributed to the Republi-
can party. 1.-The great body OF the Repub
licar party as represented in the House
and Senate in Washington" he said, "and
in other legislative bodies throughout the
country, have no use for such actions. l
know that several Republican Senators
with whom have spoken in the last few
days have nothing but adherence for
the action of the state Assembly"
Thomas w. Hardwicls, formerly United
States Senator from Georgia, and who
now Is counsel for Ludwig c. A. Is. Mar
tens. self-styled Ambassador" of Soviet
Russia, denounced tue custer as breach
of the principles Of representative govern
ment.
"If men may be expelled from Congress
or our legislative bodies" Mr.. HardwiclS
declared, because Of difference of opon-
ion, then I ask how long this suspension
business Is to be continued. II this Is con-
tinued. l ask you how long II will be before
we will begin burning witches"
Mr.. Hardwick said there will be no hui
man right or liberty in this country until
we have returned TO the basic principles of
free speech. free press and free assem-
bin 20 =" HE denounced the movement for
universal military training, saying the
pro 30. ed three months PERIOD of trairins
soon would be extended to three years by
the military leaders. I'VE went to war
with Germany TO Kill mlitarsm," he said,
land now they are attempting to saddle
militarism on the back of the American
people,
When Mr.. Hardwick had finished speak
ing, Mr.. Milholland asked the audience to
give three cheers for Senator Hardwick,
the next Governor of Georgia"
Other speakers were Louis Waldman, one
of the suspended Assemblymen; ]. a. II.
Hopkins and Captain Swinburne Hale. of
the Committee of Forty-eight; Meyer Lon
don, formerly Socialist Representative.
and Miss Harriet Stanton Blatch. A col
lection was taken for the AssemblyInen's
defence fund. The amount realized was not
announced.
Louis Waldman declared that Speaker
Sweet had violated every 'decency in advo-
eating the dismissal of the Socialists. He
said that the Speaker had acted as prose-
cutor. judge. jury and executioner in the
matter and the members Of the Assembly.
MS a whole. had violated the constitution
OF the United States and the State of New
York. He appealed to Democratic, Re-
publican and Socialist voters alike TO up
hold the liberty of the people Of the State
and voice their protest and Indignation
against the action taken.
Meyer London was roundly cheered on
his assertion that he stood for universal
peace and victory for the individual
through the ballot and not violence"