The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-01-17

An amendment offered by Senator Mcclellan to the sedluon
bill, notwithstanding its defeat without demand for a roll call on
a viva voce vote. is an interesting contribution to the legal lore OF
the nation as we'll as to the archives of the senate document room.
where rest, undisturbed and forgotten in pgeonhoes, products OF
other minds no less fertile, the products even OF statesmen no less
great than the junior senator from Tennessee. 1t is interesting
even as a post mortem because it deals with a subject that has
had much attention recently, and because it gives promise OF max
ing frequent II not welcome appearance when least expected or
desired.
The senator's amendment provided that;
Every citizen OF the United States who directly or indirectly
commences or carries on any verbal, written or printed inter
course or correspondence with any other person or persons,
whether citizens or aliens in an attempt, either ~peaceaby
away with or set aside the government of the United States, or
all governments generally, including the United States. shall be
deemed and held as adhcring to the enemies Of the United States,
giving them aid and comfort; and upon conviction. shall be fined
not less than $1,000 for each offense and imprisoned not less than
one nor more than 10 years, or may in lieu of such fine and inn
prisonment,. in the discretion of the Judge, be deported permanently
10 the island Of Guam or to any island in the Philippine archi-
pelago belonging to the United States which may be set aside by
the government OF the United States for the purpose of combining
NOSE VINO are convicted under the alternative punishment pro-
Visions of this act"
The question that arose from the wording Of the amendment
was what the senator had against the people of Guam, and natu-
Fany nc discIaimed having anything against them when asked the
pointed question by Senator Kenyon.
AS to Senator Thomas apprehension that Guam might not
PC Dig enough and that the senator should insert a continent in
ms amendment, Senator Mcclellan replied that if Guam became
oVercrowded, we might move the people of Guam out and give
rnem a better home somewhere else" but he ap~prehended no diff
aculty over the question Of space. for, as he aid "even a small
ssland IKE Guam will be sparsely settled with them. because thew
VII come to be very good American citizens as soon as thew find
Inat they are going to Guam if congress does the right thing" In
oroer that he might not be considered unreasonable he agreed n
te suggestion made by Senator Kenyon. that ali such offenders
y mlgnt peaceably undertake the disintegration of our present
YIN 81 government should be sent to the island of zap.
Senator Borah, with his usual failure of COMPREHENSION said
he thought i could deport every unconditional ratfyer of the
treaty under the amendment which the senator is Offering. for |
nou such proceedings would finally change and probably DESTROY
our present form OF government" "N'
we would not say Senator Mcclellan had in mind some Of
" citizens OF his home town, but from expressions heard on
Ia. \. ~ 'here mas been large number of persons who, because
AS SHd mas not ratified the treatv +,oalA..-u "
s ao the senate after having a number of senator's shot before
sunrise. hSsuredly any such expression under the terms If his
9"enuHeht would make some OF his strongest sunnorters r,hto
" prosecution and life tenure in Guam or Van. or wboteyer nIme
"a ""sn' DC found commensurate with the offense. '"N