The New York herald., 1920-01-10
Scontmuea from Page one.,

duly elected representatives 20 the
orderly processes of the government,
what resort is there left to them? Is
il proposed to drive the Socialists to
revolution by denying them participa-
tion in the means we have provided for
orderly discussion Of proposed changes
in our laws?
'T understand that il is said that the
Socialists constitute q combination to
overthrow the government. The answer
is plain. If public officers or private
citizens have any evidence that individ-
uals, or group of individuals. are plotting
revolution and seeking by violent measures
to charge our government. let the evil
dence be laid before the proper authori-
ties and swift action be taken for the pro-
lection Of the community. Let every
resource CT inquiry, or pursuit, of prose-
cution. be employed to ferret out and
punish the guilty according to our laws.
But I count it q most serious mistake to
proceed not against individuals charged
with violation Of law, but against masses
OF our citizens combined for political ac-
ton. by denying them the only resource
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 to Social
ism ond in entire sympathy with every
effort to put down violence and crime.
But it is because am solicitous to main
tain the peaceful processes essential to de-
nlocracy that am anxious TO see Social
lists as well as Republicans and Democrats
enjoy their political rights.
Serious Mistake.
Nothing in my judgment Is more
serious mistake at this critical time than
to deprive Socialists or radicals Of their
opportunities, for peaceful 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.
IT appreciate deeply your high sense Of
responsibility and your anxiety faithfully
to serve the people of the State. am
constrained to write in this way because
OF the seriousness of the issue. sincere
ly hope that the Assembly will take swift
action to avoid a permanent grievance on
the part of those who are threatened with
virtual disfranchisement.
II have sufficient confidence in our in
stitutions to believe that they will sur
vive all the onslaughts of discussion and
political controversy. But Democracy can
not be preserved If representation Is
denied. Apart from that matter of prin-
ciple, the procedure is futile. To shut out
the duly elected representatives of the
Socialists is merely to multiply Socialists
by the thousand. Instead of protecting
us from revolution, it will do more to en-
courage the spirit of revolution and to
strengthen the advocates of violence than
any conceivable propaganda could accom-
plsh
'I remain, with high respect. Very sin
cerely yours.
CHARLES L. HUGHES"
The Republicans were chiefly concerned
last night over the threat of a prominent
New York Republican, formerly State
Senator, to obtain proxy and appear at
the meeting of the State committee to pro-
test against the action of the Assembly
and demand resolution calling upon that
body to rescind it's action. Every effort
was being made to persuade the one
time Senator to drop the matter. He con-
tended that the party leaders had not been
consulted prior to the action of the AS
sembly and that while it was proper to
prefer charges against the Socialist men,
bers, the method adopted was Ill advised
and placed the leaders in bad light. He
declared that the party organization
should be put right in the matter.
Leaders Back Sweet.
According to George A. Glynn, chair
man of tho State committee. there was
little likelihood of the matter coming
before the committee at today's meet
ing. 1t was said the majority of the
state leaders would stand squarely
behind the action of the Assem-
bly and would hold a conference soon to-
discuss plans for the trial of the Social
ist members.
Some of the Republican members of the
Assembly from New York, although they
voted for the Sweet resolution, criticised
the action of the Assembly as ''unwise"
and arbitrary" Assemblyman William
7. Simpson, who represents United States
Senator Calder's home district in Brook
he
declared that the resolution was sprung"
on the Assemblymen without warning.
"It was ruled a privileged resolution,
he said Debate was denied. No man
had a chance to consider 1t. The pro-
cedure was ridiculous. -.n Assemblyman
did not even have chance to explain his
vote. If the five Assemblymen are guilty
on the charges made, action to unseat
them is proper. But such action should
have been taken along carefully consid-
cred lines--should have been carefully
weighed and the procedure dignified."
Other New York Assemblymen regarded
the procedure as merely an indictment on
which the deposed Socialists would be
fairly tried. There was general agree
ment that no member should be expelled
merely because he was a member of the
Socialist party.
Characterizing the expulsion of the five
Assemblymen as an act tending toward
the disruption OF representative BONtil-
inent and violation of the sacredness of
the ballot box. the State Executive Com
mite of the Socialist party, after a con-
ference lasting through Thursday night.
Yesterday issued statement in which the
demand was made that the Assembly
Immediately revoke its disgraceful and
autocratic action" and reinstate the cx-
PEELED men.
Mass Meeting Today.
Members of the Executive Committee
and the five Assemblymen We're in almost
continued conference throughout the day
in the Rand School. at No. East Fif-
teenth street. trying to devise ways and
,neanas OF legally combating the Assem-
blys actions. Offers of money toward a
defence fund were reported to have been
made by several labor bodies and at least
three lawyers rendered their services
traits, II was said.
The five -Assemblymen will make their
first public appearance since the expul-
sion at mass meeting this afternoon in
the circle at Fifth avenue and 10th street
Efforts wera made to hire n hall in the
vicinity. but the proprictors OF the New
star Casino, Progress Casino and other
large meeting halls in Harlem refused to