The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-22
HUGHES is REUSED
Former Republican Chief Flags
Members of Party.
Violate Platform by OUsting
New York Socialists.
ALL FIVE MARCHED OUT
Two Resigned When Other
Three Are Unseated.
Seyenty-Three Republicans and
IL Democrats Voted "Aye."

| New York, Sept 22--Condemnation
| Of the action of the New York legis-
lature in expelling the three reelected
! Socialist assemblymen was voiced to-
day by leading Socialists here.
| The busting must be deemed by all
| thinking people as a final blow to.
! whatever remains of representative
government in this state" said Adolph
Germer, organizer of the Socialist
party in New York county
1T will draw the issues clearer"
declared Morris Hillquit, between the
united Republican and Democratic
parties representing arbitrary lawless-
ness, and the Socialist party that stood
and stands for democratic and repre-
sentative government"
Joseph d. Cannon, Socialist candi-
date for governor, declared his party
would make the expulsion a national
issue.
While the Socialist leaders were con-
ferring today on the next step to OBJ
tain representation of the party in the
New York assembly, Charles E.
Hughes, head of the New York Bar
association committee which opposed
the custer of the Socialist delegation
last winter, issued a statement con-
demning the second unseating last
night.
THE custer of the Socialist menu
bers of the assembly is an act of in-s
credible folly and is in fragrant dis
regard of the fundamental principles
of American institutions said Mr..
Hughes.
7 am absolutely opposed to Social
ism and it is because I wish to see
our institutions preserved that think
this action. which is of the essence
of sovietism, should be denounced.
Elected According to Law.
at is the more fragrant because
these members of the assembly had
just been reelected in accordance
with our laws and at a fair election
and because so far as provisions OF
gave any pretext for the previous
custer, these had been removed.
THE statement of Assemblyman
Martin, chairman of the judiciary
committee, put the matter very clearly.
He says:
There was no charge against any
of them personally as individuals No
personal guilt was charged against
them Since then their organization has
complied with our constitution and our
laws. We have no right to exclude
them
$50 far as Republicans voted to GUST
the Socialist members they acted in
direct violation of their party plat
form. 1t is fatuous to suppose that
procedure of this sort is a protection
posite effect. The one consoling fea-
ture of the matter is that We may be
assured that this custer does not re-
fleet the sentiment of the people of
the state but is merely the actioD-ef
few exercising a temporary power
which has been badly abused"
Five Seats Again Vacant.
Albany, N Y, Sept. 22.-Five as
sembly seats to which Socialist assem-
blymen had been elected at special
elections last week to fill vacancies
caused by their own expulsion last
April when the entire Socialist dele
gates were denied the right to sit in
the lower house of the state legislature
were again vacant today.
After a five-hour debate, during
which the Socialist members were al
lowed to present their personal views.
the assembly last night. by a vote of
90 to as, unseated August Claessens
of Manhattan, leader of the Socialist
haitian and Charles Solomon of Kings
for the second time
The assembly. however. reversed 1t
self on the roll calls to Dust Samuel
Orr and Samuel de Witt of the Bronx
who, with Claessens. Waldman and
Solomon, were ousted last spring. The
vote on the resolutions calling for the
unseating of Orr and Dewitt showed
81 against and Al for such action. Orr
and Dewitt, however. Immediately re-
signed, declaring they could not sit
with such an un-American body"
Marched Out in Body.
AS soon as Orr and Dewitt had re-
signed, the entire Socialist delegation
marched in a body from the chamber.
few minutes later the assembly ad-
journed.