The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-01-21
N. Y. SOCIALISTS
ACCUSED OF PLOT
Say They Are "Organized Con-
spiracy" Against U. S.
HUGHES NOT RECOGNIZED
Legislative Committee Refuses to OF.
ficiaIIy Receive Advice From the
Bar Association,

/ Legislative CommIIteS heruSeS TO OTs
ficiaIIy Receive Advice From the
Bar Association.
Albany, N. z, Jan. 21-Soon after
the opening Of the trial Of five suspend
ed Socialist assemblymen by the Judi
ciary committee of the assembly, a
statement was read by the chairman,
Louis NJ. Martin.
This asserted the assembly had
learned through various channels"
the defendants were members Of a
party whose platform demanded "com-
plete destruction Of our form of gov
eminent by the fermentation of indus
trial unrest, the bringing into action
of force and violence and direct action
by the masses"
The committees statement also
charged the defendants "are with
others engaged in large and well Or
ganized conspiracy" to destroy the
right to own property, to weaken the
family, to destroy the church and to
overturn the whole fabric OF a con-
stitutional form Of government.
Previously the committee had refus
ed to mote the appearance" Of COM
mittee from the Bar Association Of the
| city of New York, headed by Charles
E. Hughes. It asked to be received
in the interests of the public.
In the assembly proper debate on
the Socialists was shut off by the lay
ing over for a week Of FIVE resolutions.
One sought to validate" the proceed
/ ings Of the legislature by reseating the
Socialists. Another proposed to ex-
punge from the record Assemblyman
McCune's attack on the loyalty" Of
Mr.. Hughes in defending the Social
lists.
Explaining the judiciary committees
decision not to mote the appearance"
of Mr.. Hughes and his associates, Mr..
Martin said 1t could take no cogni-
zance Of parties outside the inquiry.
Many organizations desired to appear,
he added, and 1t was necessary to
adopt a "hard and fast rule" an ap-
pearance could not be granted, unless
delegations went on record as repre-
senting the defendants.
Mr.. Hughes then read the conclud-
ing paragraph Of the statement to the
effect no disqualification had been
shown against the suspended mem
bers, and the privileges Of their seats
should be restored to them.
Mr.. Hughes and his delegation then
left the assembly chamber, or court
room"
Morris HillQuist chief counsel for
the defense, in opening, challenged the
right of the judiciary COMMITTEES 20
conduct the proceedings, and urged
1t to report back to the assembly that
a special committee be elected by the
assembly, and not appointed by Speak
| er Sweet.
''These proceedings were not insti-
Atuted by the assembly" he continued,
1 "but by the speaker Of the assembly.
The speaker is the accuser, and the
question of gull: was referred to a
committee not then appointed. In
other words, the accuser selects his
own judges.
"You men stand here, not as judges
but as accusers. A majority Of you
have publicly condemned these men in
advance"
In opposing the motion John B.
Stanchfeld, associate counsel for the
prosecution, cited congressional pre-
cedent for the assembly's procedure.
Failing to obtain favorable action
on his motion, Mr.. Hilquit challenged
the right of several members of the
judiciary committee to sit. He named
Mr.. Martin and Assemblymen Pellett
and jerks, on the, ground that, as
members of the Lusk committee in
vestigating radical activities, they had
prejudiced the case.
AIr. Martin overruled the challenges.