New-York tribune., 1920-04-01
Unseated Legislators Give
Up Hopes With Eighty
nine Votes Pledged to
Stand by the Speaker
Debate Is Marked
By Wild Tumult
Roosevelt Leads Forces
Opposed to Expulsion;
Minority in Filibuster
From q stor cor-espond.rt


ALBANY, April 1.-Although de-
bate on excluding the five Socialist
members of the Assembly, which be-
gan yesterday, was still under way
at 3 o'clock this morning it was evi-
dent that Speaker Sweet had won his
fight and that all five of the men
would be unseated when the matter
finally is brought to vote.
The debate was watched by two
of the Solomon and
Waldman-who said their party
long ago gave up hope of having its
representatives reseated.
Their premonition of defeat was
strengthened by reports of those
who have canvassed the Assembly
for Sweet. These say the Speaker
has eighty-nine votes pledged for ex-
pulsion OF all five men-tifteen more
than he requires. There are ninety
two votes for ousting three-Claes-
sens, Waldman and Solomon.
Debate Amid Tumult
The debate, which began in tu-
mutt, and was filled for several
hours with vociferous argument and
many attacks on Assenblyman Gu
villier, degenerated into a long-dis-
tance talking match as the night
wore on. 1t probably will be day
light by the time the matter comes
to vote.
The defense Of the Socialists was led
by Theodore Roosevelt, who made his
first long speech in their behalf. Simon
Adler, majority leader, who it was pre-
dicted also would speak against the ex-
clusion of the five men, did not do So
He urged the expulsion of Claessens.
Waldman and Solomon and the reseat-
ing of Orr and De Witt.
Speaker Sweet left the rostrum
shortly before O'clock this morning
to defend his actions and attack
Colonel Roosevelt.
islative history" said Speaker Sweet,
I'VE surely must feel with US the pres
ence of that indomitable country lov-
ing statesman, the late Colonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt, who in these cham bers,
only few years ago. laid the found
ton of his noble, self sacrificing labprs
in the interest OF the Republic he so
dearly loved.
Deep in the heart of every true
American is a reverence for his words
and regard for his deeds given by
every true American to onyl two other
patriots and statesmen, George Wash
lngton and Abraham Lincoln.
Chamber Birthplace of Ideals
"1n these chambers Colonel Roosevelt
laid the groundwork for his great Amer
icanism. Here were matured the lofty
ideals up to which he lived through his
strenuous life, which carried him to
the pinnacle of every earthly honor
Here he unfolded his plans for better
government and here he expressed
of all human government which served
to guide him down the well-roundsd
years of his public life"
Speaker Sweet then quoted from the
late Colonel Roosevelt's speeches on
Americanism, and by his comments
implied that the former President of
the United States, if alive to-day.
would applaud the ousting of the So
cialists.
Sweet took issue with his fellows
here who contended that the Socialist
party was not on trial He said it
was. He said membership in the party
was enough to warrant their expul-
sion.
Scenes more riotous than those which
occurred at yesterdays hearing on the
light wine and beer bill characterized
the opening Of the debate
Speaker Sweet, assisted by Assem-
blyman Louis A. Cuvillier, of Tammany
Hall, started the trouble when he at
tempted 10 steam roller the Repub-
licans and Democrats who wanted un-
limited debate to prevail. Bitter at
tacks were made on the Speaker by the
Democrats, who repeatedly attacked
Cuvillier, one Of Cuvillier's Tammany
Cue. threatening to strike him on two
occasions.
Cuvillier was howled down by his
irate Tammany associates. Such cries
as put him in cage!" "Sit down."
Shut up!" were frequently hurled at
him.
Assemblyman Charles D. Donohue.
leader of the Democrats. charged
Speaker Sweet with having broken a
promise made earlier in the day at a
conference, where the Speaker gave
assurance that there would be no limit
placed on debate.
Cat calls and derisive laughter came
from those who wanted unlimited de-
bate when Sweet insisted that debate
would be limited to fifteen minutes.
Resounding blows of the Speaker's
gavel only served to intensity thu
anger of his opponents. and Cuvillier's
attempts to assist Sweet only ADDED to
| the uproar.
On one occasion, when Assemblyman