The New York herald., 1920-01-08
ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD. ]

ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD
ALBANY. ". Y, Wednesday.-The AS
scmbly today unseated the five Socialist
members frtm New York, charging that
they were opposed to the organized gov
eminent of the nation and State and there
fore unfit to sit in a lawmaking body.
Tending decision by the Asscmbly's
Judiciary Committee on their qualifica-
tions and eligibility to their seats, tho five
men elected last autumn in the Metropol-
tan District are denied all rights in the
Le egislaturc. They were thrown out OF
their seats by the Sergeant at Arms Their
voices were silencod when they rose TO
protest. The Assembly cheered.
The vote in favor OF unseating was 1i0
and against was six. Assemblymen Will
lam S. Evans and J. Fairfax Mclaughlin,
OF the Bronx, stood with the Socialists.
Louis Mailman. Socialist, did not vote.
The five unseated are August Claessens.
Samuel a. Dewitt Samuel Orr. Charles
Solomon and Louis Walliman.
The Assembly action was a blow which
amazed the Socialists and surprised the
other members and the capital. The pro-
cedurc was dramatic
Called by. tho Speaker.
Few knew what was coming when
Speaker Sweet, few minutes after he had
convened the session, stood in the high
roStruin and in loud tones called on the
Sergeant at Arms TO arraign the five So
cialists members before the bar OF the
Assembly The five locked at one another
in establishment. Silence fell over the
chamber The crowds which had lined up
behind the brass rail chatting with old
friends and conrratulating new members
were hushed. Was this part OF the fun OF
the opening business? The Speakers stern
demeanor indicated the business was seri-
GUS
Tho five Socialists rose slowly and
walked 70 the we'll in front Of the bar.
They stood awkwardly in line, not know
ing why they were there. Then the
Speaker looked down at the little group,
and, speaking directly at them, delivered
the charge. He said
you are seeking seats In this body.
You who have been elected on n platform
that is absolutely inimical to the best in
terests OF the state OF New York and Of
the United States. That platform is the
doctrine CT the Socialist party and pro-
vides that every person elected thereupon
subscribes TO the rules and regulations.
principles and tactics, OF that party. II
is not truly a political party. but Is a
membership organization admitting within
its ranks aliens, enemy aliens and minors.
"The constitution OF that party at sec
ton provides this:-'1n all my political
actions, while member or the SOCIALIST
party, ! agree TO be guided by the CO.
stitution and platform of that party Ard
section 49, subdivision +. OF the State con-
stitution Of the Socialist party provides
for failing or refusing. when elected to
a public office to abide and carry out
such instructions as nc may have re-
ceived from the dues paving party or
ganization or as prescribed by the State
or national constitution.
cites Case OF Martens.
'Tt may be interesting to note that Lud-
wig c. A. X. Martens, the self-styled
Soviet Ambassador. an allen, who en-
tered this country as German In 1916.
became a member OF the Socialist party
upon his entry into this country and took
part In It's deliberations. IL Is therefore
quite evident that you. elected 20 public
office. in spite OF your oath of office are