Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-18
Republicans anu the "lscds''


D EPUBLICAN leadership in Congress is
~ house divided against itself upon the
question OF antiradicalism. There are alum
dant signs OF revolt against the legislation
and other measures which The committee
chairmen charged with the movement
against malignant agitation in this coun-
try have brought before the House and Sen
ate. Representative Mann, OF illinois, Tor
nler Republican floor leader, has insurged
against the proposal that Victor Berger again
be barred from membership. Senators BoraI1
and Hiram Johnson have backed off the
party reservation, and are in opposition to
any measure which seeks to interfere with
the right of free speech or a free press
1t was scarcely to be supposed that ali
members Of Congress would assent to the
passage OF the drastic legislation which has
been proposed for curbing inccudiarism tor
roriSm and mcnacinS radicalism in this coun-
Try. Many measures have been presented
which obviously should be thrown into the
discard but 1t is somewhat surprising to find
the aDic MT Mann appearing in the role OF
Berger defender and to find senatorial eau
didatcs for the presidency warming Congress
that interference by the government. with the
forces which are deliberately uudermnins
American institutions will be bitterly fought.
Inc Berger case is one OF special interest
because OF the concrete nature Of it, That
Socialist leader has been, convicted and SEN
Tor opposing war measures at Il time when
the nation was lighting for its life While
his case was under appeal he was barred
from membership in the House. A sDccia!
election was held 10 fill the vacancy and he
was reelected TO the seat which the House
had denied him. The question then arose
OF unscatins him second time aud the COM
mttee dealing with it recon, mended that the
House maintain its consistency by refusing
hat
Mann, Nho had remained silent when the
original issue was presented, gave notice
that he would oppose the unsesting OF the
Socialist
The House need not have acted precipi-
lately in this matter. 1t might merely have
refused 20 accept the Berger credentials, pre-
vented his taking tho oath OF Office and re-
served final action until the ultimate deci-
slon OF the courts rendered. Either
Berger is guilty or not guilty If he is
guilty he las no place in tho House of Rep
rcsehtatiVes. If he is not, he is entitled TO
DC seated. The Supreme Court one day will
decide the questions raised and will either
affirm or reject the verdict OF the lower
courts When this decision comes, the House
may with propriety act.
Congress will profit b. debate upon the
measures proposed tor the punishment OF
citizens who arc guilty OF seditious and in
MANDATORY uttcrances. AS the law now
stands, only the alien may be adeuuote1y
aeat WITH by the government. He may be
reported, as an undesirable, and may be for
ever barred from these shores but for the
time the natlvc-born or even the naturalized
cl'izen. can only be proceeded against if he
is Guilty or some overt act. II ia not clear
10 tho average mind how far Congress ought
TO so i'll that direction, and more light m;rht
properly be shed upon the question beforo
i'al action is taken.