New-York tribune., 1920-01-15

cate changes in government to be
prought about by constitutional meth
DDS. No man, however, has the legal
right to advocate the accomplishment
! OF social or political reforms by law
less force and violence. Such doc
of the Constitution, 0'''
"The only object, perhaps. and chief
purpose OF government is to protect
.ne lnolvldual and the community from
| lawless violence. If force ia to rule
every man is subject to the lust and
avarice OF the strong. Under the rule
OF law, as established by our Consti-
tuition, the humblest and weakest cit;.
zen OF the land is protected from in
Jury to mis- person or his property. or
from interference with his liberty. ex-
cept by due process Of law.
Criminal Regime
IL force and violence and the whim
and caprice of some distorted mind
which is able, for the moment. to se;ze
the reins of power, are to be suhst;o
tuted tor the law, these monuments Of
liberty are swept away by one stroke,
u do not know whether these sus-
pended members advocate the Soviet
government Of Russia or not. If thew
DO then they advocate q criminal
regime. The Soviet government of
Russia is based on lawless force, ter
rorlsm, intimidation, tyranny, wanton
oioodsned, the confiscation of property
civilization.
II the suspended members-elect of
the New York Assembly advocate this
regime then they approve a system in
which the constituted assembly of the
people OF Russia was turned out of
the assembly room, not upon judicial
or legislative inquiry, but arbitrarily
at the point of bayonets in the hands
Of soldiers.
"The New York Assembly, assume.
as IS usual with such assemblies, is
the Judge Of the election and eligibility
OF It's members. 1t is highly proper
for it to inquire whether or not those
presenting themselves for a seat in
the Assembly are open apd avowed
enemies of the constitutions of the
state and nation.
The constitutions of the state and
the nation establish government of
due process of law and orderly and
formal political procedure, based upon
the free suffrage of the people.
IF the suspended. members are not
willing to accept this fundamental con-
dltion of government, and if this fact
should appear from the inquiry which
understand, the Assembly mas ordered.
then l, as a citizen of the United
States, would feel that you and your
associates have rendered a great pa
trlotic. service by your courage and
initiative in taking notice Of this sim
iStef ano revolutionary movement in
this effective way'
two Of the suspended Assemblvmen'
yesterday made public a letter thew
had sent to Assemblyman Louis Martin.
chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
protesting against the postponement Of
the hearing until next Tuesday. The
letter said:
1T is reported in the press that you
have set the opening of the hearing in
our case for some time next week and
enat your committee requires time to
prepare We wish, for our colleagues
and ourselves, to enter a vigorous pro
test against all delay.
You have since last week unlaw-
fully prevented us from representing
our constituents. Do you propose to
continue this procedure?
Since excluding us you have con-
tlnued with the consideration of leg
islative matters upon which our con-
stituents have right to be heard
thousands of qualified voters have
sent US to the Assembly to act for
them. 1t is incredible that you men
mean dilatory tactics to deny a half
million people representation in the
Legislature, meanwhile proceeding with
legislative business and enacting laws
these people are expected to obey.
We have right to and do demand
that you do not proceed with any leg
islative business until the House Is
properly organized.
"WhV do YOU seek delQv1
Notwithstanding we were taken
by surprise, we are ready to act
promptly"