Arizona republican., 1920-01-08
N.Y.LEG|SLATURE
BARS DOORS To
FIVE SOCIALISTS
Recently Elected Members
Denied Seats in Lower
Branch of Law-Making
Body-Vote Overwhelms
Radical Element
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel

ALBANY, y. Y, san. Five So
cialist members of th, assembly of the
New York state legislature were denied
their seats at the lower branch's open
ing meeting of the 1920 session today.
A resolution, questioning whether they
could be loyal to their oaths of office
when bound to act subject to inStruc-
tiOnS of the socialist party, was quick
ly passed, 140 to 6 after Speaker Sweet,
with dramatic suddenness, ordered the
sergeant at arms to bring the socialist
members before the bar of the house.
The socialist must now prove their
fitness to their seats before a tribunal
selected by this assembly.
The session was dragging as the
clerk was calling for routine resolu-
tionS when Speaker Sweet interrupted
and Louis Waldman of New York
county. Samuel a. Dewitt and Samuel
Orr of Bronx county, and Charles Solo
mon of Kings county, were uShered be-
fore the speakers desk in the pit of
the house.
Attacks Socialists
You are seeking seats in this body
you who have been selected on
platform that is absolutely ininical to
the best interests OF the state of New
York and the United States" the speak
er said. THAT platform is the doctrine
Of the socialist party. 1t is not truly
political party, but is a mem bership
organization admitting within its ranks
enemy aliens and minors"
Quoting from the section of the
constitution of the socialist party that
requires all members to be guided in
all their political actions by the con-
stitution and platform of the party,
the speaker continued:
1t is interesting to note that Lud-
wig G. K. Martens, self-styled soviet
ambassador became a member of the
socialist party upon his entry into this
country and took part in its delibera-
tions. 1t is therefore quite evident that
you, in spite of your oath of office
are bound to act subject to instruc-
tions received from an executive com
mittee which may be made up in
whole or in part of aliens or alien
enemies, holding allegiance to govern
ments or organizations whose interests
may be diametrically opposed to the
best interests of the United States"
Socialists Seats Declared Vacant
AS soon as the speaker had finished.
Majority Leader 1. Adler. offered the
resolution declaring vacant the seats
of socialist members.
Two Bronx democrats, William S.
Evans and ]. Fairfield Mclaughlin,
voted in the negative as did four of
the socialists.
Inc preamDle OF the resolution,
denying the socialists admission to the
floor sets forth that the August con-
vention of the socialist party in Chi
cago declared adherence and solidarity
with the revolutionary party of soviet
Russia, and pledged its members to the
furtherance of the international So
cialist revolution: that by such adher-
ence and declaration the socialist
party has indorsed the principles of
the communist internationaIe at Mos
COW, which is pledged to the forcible
and violent overthrow of all existing
organized governments and that under
the constitution of the socialist party
of America, a member may be ex-
PEELED or suspended from his party
"for failing or refusing when elected
to public office - carry out
such instructions as he may have re-
ceived from the party organization