The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-14
Socialists and Alien
Enemy Denied Seat in Con-
gress By Majority Vote
ONLY SIX MEMBERS
VOTED TO SEAT HIM
Action of House Based on Fact
That Berger Has Been Con-
victed of Aiding Enemy

Washington Jan. 10.-Victor Bcr-
ger, Milwaukee socialist, reelected
from the Fifth Wisconsin congress
sional district after he had been re-
fused membership in house, because
he gave cid and comfor; 10 the enc
ny," was denied lis scat again today
by vote Of 2SS TO s.
The house acted IN 4 little more
than an hour after Berger had pre-
sented himself to be sworn IN. Char
man Dallinger Of the elections COM
mittee which held Berger ineligible
the first time, presented a resolution
barring Berger and reviewed the rea-
sons why Berger was excluded at the
special session. Representatives Mann.
Republican, Of Illinois. Nolst Repuo-,
Ecan. Of Wisconsin and Sherwood.
wcod. Democrat, &C Ohio, spoke IN
support of Berger's right 10 a scat.
This is g representative form OF
government" Mr.. Mann said, "and
this we must maintain inviolate il the
people desire il Berger was elected
by the people Of Wisconsin. Ihey
nave a right to be represented.
Request for hearing on Henry n.
Bodenstad's right to the seat denied
Berger has been made before Char
man Dallingec Bondenstad, a Repub-
lican, was defeated by Perger by
majority of 1855 votes in the speclai
election. The committee previously
held Joseph P. Carney, Berger's op-
ponent in the first election, 20 be in
eligible. Chairman Dallinger said to-
day that at the tine Of his first cleo
ton Berger was only under EIdict-
ment under the espionage act, but
that he had been convicted before the
second election. This, he added, would
strengthen Bodenstad's case.
Those voting to seat Berger We're:
Narn, Harreld. Republican, of Okla
honna, Griffin, Democrat, Of New York,
Sherwood, Democrat of Ohio and SIS
son, Democrat, of Mississippi. Repre-
sentative SABBATH, Republican, of iili-
nois voted present.
Berger declared in statement after
the vote that the house action was
zone Of the worst attacks on the rep
resentative form Of government ever
witnessed in this country.
1T is really a denial of the right OF
people to elect the citizen Of their
choice he said.
Speaking to his resolution, Chair
man Dallinger saiG Berger was ex-
cluded the first time mot because OF
his so-called radical views, not because
he is a Socialist, but because he is IN
eligible to membership under pro-
visions of the constitution
This will disoual;fy him permanent
ly," he declared. The people OF WIS
consin may reelect him. and there are
some who contend that if the people
want him in congress he is entitled to
a seat, but man excluded as Berger
has been can never be eligible to mem
bership"
Representative vcigt, who was the
only member to vote to seat Berger
the first time, spoke in favor Of seat
ing him today.
81 am more firmly convinced than
ever" he said, that Berger is entitled
to a seat. If he is q traitor, then there
are $4,000 traitors in the Fifth WIS
consin district.
There are a score of members
shouted.
'Then there are traitors in your
district voigt retorteo.
Not at ALL" came from various
members.
Milwaukee, Jan. 10.-The Socialist
committee of the First Wisconsin con-
gressional district within a half hour
after receiving the news that Victor.
Berger had been excluded from con-
gress a second time renominated him.
The statement was made that he
would be the candidate Of the party
at a special election to be demanded
from the governor.
I'VE vii! keep or nominating Rer-
ger unit! Eades freezes "ver il 'na;
un-Amcrican aggregation called con-
gress continues to exclude him, de-
clared a statement issued by the com
mittee.
I'VE want every person in this
country to understand that the voters
of Fifth Wisconsin district know eX-
actly whom the: want as THEN repre-
sentative in congress, and we do not
propose to let Giliett and his bunch
of Wall street fawners dictate to us
on the subject.
Berger is our CONGRESSMAN and the
action of congress in unseating him
a second time only starts the real
fight that will not end until every one
Of the reactionaries who voted in to-
days dissraccful proceedings have
retired b. the hallot to the oblivion
they so richly deserve"
bordeaux. Jan 9.-Construction
work on the giant Lafayette radio sta
ton being built here By the American
! ;ct,o - Y,