The New York herald., 1920-01-11
HUGHES ADVICE SPURNED BY
SPEAKER SWEET; FIGHT ON
SOCIALISTS TO BE TO FINISH

cent practice OF Congress, State Senator
Clayton r. Lusk. chairman of the Joint
Legislative Committee investigating sedi-
tious activities, declared in statement is
sued here last night.
The Assembiys action amounts TO a
challenge Of the fitness TO serve OF the So
cialists "as individuals" senator Lusk
said. The charges against them were based
based evidence presented before the
Joint Legislative Committee he added.
although the committee is mot the com.
pIanant nor party TO the hearings
THE charge is that they az individuals
personally stand for the overthrow of the
established State and national govern
ments by force and violence" Senator
Lusk said. Their affiliations with the So
cialist party as now organized and tho
Rand School, their attitude toward Com-
munonisn,. and their activities are simply
evidence having a bearing on the question
of whether they individually are pledged
TO tho violent and revolutionary overthrow
of our government.
The same procedure would hae followed
IL charges had suddenly been made against
them OF corrupt practices in their cleo
tlons. Such charges. with sufficient evil
dence 10 make prima fscie case would
result in their having TO submit TO hear
ing before being seated. In fact il charge
of any serious crime were made against
an official between the time of his election
and the time Of his taking his scat. the
public would expect such charges to be
cleared before he took office.
! This practice has recently been fol-
lowed in Congress. These cases are iden-
/ tcal in principle.
]
merely because they are Socialists and, OF
course. they will not be convicted and de-
prived of their seats merely because they
are Socialists The difference OF opinion
which has arisen over the challenge made
by the Assembly of their right to take
their seats is premature, because obvi-
ously. any intelligent discussion must be
based on the proofs I'm the case and what
ever proofs there are have not yet been
put in evidence
III the charge against these Asse m bly,
men-elect are proven all loyal citizens
VIII agree that they are unfit to partici-
pate In the government which they are
plotting TO destroy. II the charge is not
proven, obciously they should be seatcd
Men and women who are striving to bring
ABOUT Socialism by lawful means have as
much right to sit in the legislature as
those who oppose Socialism. No sensible
man ever has coutended otherwise The
| IPuplc, III HARNESS TO the socialist Assem-
olymen-elect and to the other members
OF the Assembly. should suspend Judgment
until the evidence is heard, as it custom
ariiy does in cases where accusations ara
made.
| The charges were made upon evidence
presented before the Lusk Committee in
the course of its hearings Any evidence
| IN the possession of the committee which,
may have q bearing on these cases o3pj
way or the other will naturally be SUI
piled to the Assembly committee which
conducts the hearings. The committee has
always distinguished sharply between
those who seek to accomplish changes In
government under the forms provided by
our laws and those who seek to overthrow
the government itself. In fact the com
mittee by trying 10 discover and reach
those individuals who would destroy the
govern mont is protecting the Socialists
wao arc honestly trying TO bring about
Socialism BY the ballot. There is no reason
why the aninus of the Socialist Assembly
mer-elect should be directed adainst the
committee. II they are honest In their
Ipretenses hearing on the charge will
mean their vindication IL il f. not sub
istsntiated by clear evidence"
Sonstor Luck arrived in this city early
Yesterday. and will remain here until
about noon today.