The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-21
us Opinion Free?
Ask Ousted Socialists
Counsel Of UnSeated Five Ask
Why Their Clients Were
Put Out of Assembly.
MOT AT WAR WITH SOVIET
(sY WILLIAM G. sHEPPERp.)

| W. WlEGiFNm| VI OF
Albany, N. n, Jan. 21.--Three mo
mentous questions arose today in the
proceedings for unseating five social
lists legislators in the New York state
assembly.
The trst was whether or not the
present situation in the United States
is so unprecedented that IL iustif;as
the assembly in acting without prece-
dent to save its honor.
The second was whether the al.
oused assemblymen are present Al
the hearing by right of sufferance.
and the third was whether or not II is
crime to hold favorable opinion in
regard to the soviet government in
Russia.
In regard to the first question
John b. Stanchheld, counsel for the
state, declared:
| Whether precedent exists or not
for what this assembly is doing at
time time, it cannot be denied that
when the question of loyalty 10 this
country has been raised the assem-
ply has the right to proceed as ii
chooses"
The second question was raised by
Stanohiield when he declared that il
was only by sufferanee that the five
socialist members were being heard
by the assembly in their own de-
fense, This statement was hotlv re-
tutcd by counsel for the socialists.
Seymour ,Steadman. counsel for the
socialists, raised the question about
Russia. lie read the charge that
the tlve assemblymen belonged to 4
party which had declared itself In
sympathy with the aims OF soviet
RUSSIA.
Is II crime2
since when" shouted Steadman,
| has II become a crime in the United
states for an American citizen ID
have opinions about foreign govern
monts?
How does sthls assembly know
that the soviet government in
Russia is a had government? 0pin-
ion Is changing about Russia. Not
many days ago the chief statesmen
or the world in Paris. raised the
blockade against Russia and declared
themselves in favor of establishing
trade with Russia through the co. !.
operative societies in that land"
we have not charged that il was3
q crime TO believe IN soviet Russia,
interrupted Chairman Martin, OF the
judiciary committee, which is CON
Quoting the investigation.
why, i is the first charge in your
complaint" responded Steadman.
We didn't say 4 was crime" in
sisted Martin.
Morris Hilqult. chief counsel for
the socialists. rose hastily and said
Il ask 10 know whether this charge
OF sympathy with Russia and other
charges brought against these 1--WE
assemblymen are considered crimes.
Chairman Martin said that, in his
opinion, the crlmlnality OF the
charges would have to be determined
by the committee after q hearing. s.
Asks Why unseated.
II tust want to know whether my
clients have been unseated because
they are charged with crime or
merely because they are under sus-
plcion," said HillQuit bitterly
Hhlqults remarks brought on the
first exhibition of animosity and
bitterness which exists between the
two sets OF attorneys and which
characterize the entire proceeding.
Martin Lttleton of counsel for the
state. arose and demanded of Hillauit
II men under suspicion OF crime
could serve IN an executive body.
Yes" shouted Hlllquit. MEN under
suspicion OF crime and guilty OF
crime serve In some legislative
bodies"
'ln this legislative body?" de-
manded Littleton, grimly
II did not say this particular body
said Hllquit,
"Well. what legislative body then2"
demanded Littleton.
Hillquit started 20 reply when
Chairman Martin interrupted with
hls gavcl.
Gentlemen, cannot have such a
debate before this committee. You
will please come to order"
Seymour Steadmnn. Tor the social
lists. dwelt az length on the sacrifices
of the Russian people in the war. He
said they had fought on seventeen
fronts. that they had dissolved one
army of 100000 men and that since
they have raised Il great army now
In existence OF 100000. They are
now railroads. he said. He
praised the great cooperative So
rieticS OF Russia ana said that II a
man could be prosecuted in America
for believing In the self determine
ton of the russian people. the time
might come when legislators would
be unsoated and civilians punished
for believing In the freedom OF Ire
land or the freedom of Egypt
The socialists came into the ses-
sion determined to spend another day
in challenging their judges Gilbert
Roe was prepared TO move that the
oustcd members be seated during the
IL this motion failed
tho plan was to have Seymour Sted-
man, for the socialists. move TO dis
miss the charges because the accu-
satiun does not include cause for dis