New-York tribune., 1920-01-10
Urges
Reseating of
5 Socialists
Tells. Sweet in Letter That
Suspensions by Assembly
Violate the Principles Of
Democratic Government
Encourages Reds, He Saws
Republican State Committee
to Discuss the Question
at Its Meeting TODAY

Charles E. Hughes wrote vesterda
to Thaddeus c. Sweet, Speaker of tn
Assembly, condemning the action .
tnat body in suspending the five So
clallst members. He said that he r.
garded 1t as an act Opposed to th
fundamental principles Of our povern
ment."
1T was, moreover, the most seriou
mistake that could be made at thj
Time to attempt to deprive Socialist
ana radicals of their opportunities fo
open discussion.
Party Clash Foreseen
IN other quarters there was evidenc
tnat the action Of the Assembly woul
cause clash to-day at the meeting O
the Republican State Committee at tn
National Republican Club. Samuel S
koenig, county chairman, is said to b
lncensed that Speaker Sweet did no
consult with State Chairman Glvnr
Jacob A. Livingston. Brooklyn leader
Mr.. Koenig- or other party leaders be
tore taking drastic action.
Mr.. Hughess letter follows:
Il deeply regret the action of the
Assembly in suspending five members
OF the Socialist party who have been
duly elected. think that you will
agree that the high prerogative of
the Assembly to pass upon the quail
hca11ons OF its own members should
De exercised in accordance with the
spirit OF our institutions.
1T is not, as l view it, in accord
with the spirit of our institutions.
but, on the contrary, it is absolutely
opposed to the fundamental prin-
clpies of our government, for a ma
Jorlty to undertake to deny repre-
sentatlon to minority through it's
representatives elected by ballots
lawfully cast.
Indictment of Party
eff there was anything AGAINST
these men as individuals, if they
were deemed guilty Of criminal Of
lenses, they should have been
charged accordingly. But l under
stand that the action is not directed
against these five elected members
as individuals but that the pro
ceeding is virtually an attempt to
indict political party and to deny
IT representation in the Legislature.
That is not, in my Judgment, Amer
lean government.
Are Socialists, unconvicted of
crime, to be denied the ballot? If
Socialists are permitted to vote, are
they not permitted to vote for their
own candidates? If their candidates
are elected and are men against
whom, as individuals, charges of
disqualifying offenses cannot be laid,
are they not entitled to their seats?
What, may ask, is it supposed
these Socialists will do in the Legis-
lature? AS members, they may intro
!. duce bills, they may oppose bills,
they may debate bills. In all mat
ters they are subject to the rules of
the Assembly. Why should these
privileges be denied to representa-
tives of the Socialist party?
"Is it not clear that the govern
ment cannot be saved at the cost of
its own principles? If the Socialists
were denied recourse through their
duly elected representatives to the
orderly process of government, what
resort is there left to them? Is it
proposed to drive the Socialists to
revolution BY denying them partici-
patton in the means we have provided
for orderly discussion of proposed
changes in our laws?
Issue Very Clear
81 understand that it is said that
the Socialists constitute combina-
ton to overthrow the government.
The answer is plain. If public off,
GERS or private citizens have any evil
dence that any individuals, or group
of individuals, are plotting revolu-
tion and seeking by violent measures
to change, our government, let the
evidence be laid before the proper
authorities and swift action be taken
for the protection Of the community.
"Let every resource of inquiry, of
pursuit, Of prosecution, be employed
to ferret out and punish the guilty
according to our laws. But ! count
it most serious mistake to proceed,
not against individuals charged with
violation Of law, but against masses
of our citizens combined for political
action, by denying them the only re-
. source Of peaceful government, that
is, action by the ballot box and
through duly elected representatives
in legislative bodies.
"The issue to my mind is very
clear. speak as one utterly opposed
with every effort to put down vio-
lencc and crime. But it is because
| am solicitous to maintain the peace
full processes essential to democracy
that | am anxious to see Socialists
as we'll as Republicans and Demo-
cSats enjoy their political rights.
Virtual Disfranchisement
"Nothing in my judgment is more
serious mistake at this critical time
than to deprive Socialists or Radi-
calls of their opportunities for peace
full discussion and thus to convince
them that the Reds are right and
that violence and revolution are the
only available means at their COM
mand.
81 appreciate deeply your high
sense Of responsibility and your anx-
cty faithfully to serve the people of
the state. | am constrained to write
in this way because of the serious
ness Of the issue. ! sincerely hope
that the Assembly will take swift ac-
ton to avoid a permanent grievance
on the part Of those who are threat
ened with virtual disfranchisement.
"I have sufficient confidence In our
institutions to believe that they will
survive all the onslaughts Of discus
sion and political controversy. But
democracy cannot be preserved 1t
representation is denied. Apart from
the matter of principle, the proceed
ure is futile.
"To shut out the duly elected rep
rcscntativcs of the Socialists is
merely to multiply Socialists by the
thousand. Instead Of protecting us