New-York tribune., 1920-02-12
Reseating of
Five Socialists
Is Suggested
First Gun Fired in Open
Revolt Against Speaker
and Methods Employed
at Trial of Ousted Men
Clash Looked ForMonday
Martin Balks Suggestion
That Trial End, Insisting
OH Hearing for Defense
From a STAFF Correspondent


William w. Pellet, Republican, from
the 10th New York District, suggested
at special meeting of the Assembly
Judiciary Committee, which is irving
the five ousted Socialists, that the pro-
ceedings against the suspended AS
semblymen be dropped at once and
they be restored to their seats.
I'm my opinion" Assemblyman Pellet
was quoted as saying,i"no evidence has
been adduced against the five men on
trial to warrant their expulsion. There
is no need in going on with the trial
any further"
Pellet, at whose request the meeting
was held, explained that he was not
offering formal motion, but wanted to
get the opinions of the other members
of the committee.
Martin Balks Move
When he finished speaking Assembly,
man Louis M. Martin, chairman of the
committee, who represents the I'd
Oneida District, said:
'If this were trial it would be
proper to consider your proposal, but
this Is an investigation. Under the
resolution adopted by the Assembly ap-
pointing this committee to make the
investigation it has no power to end
the proceedings. We are charged with
an Investigation, and how could we dis
charge that duty except byS hearing
both sides? We have not heard the
side for the Socialists, and in fairness
to them we must continue
There was hut little furfhor dicouc
sion. Pellets move is the beginning of
a concerted action on the part of Re
pubicans, both from New York City
and up state. to end the proceedings 1t
is the first open movement of those in
the revolt against Speaker Sweet and
William Barnes.
The revolt may materialize Monday
night on the floor of the Assembly by
an open rebellion against Speaker
Sweet. Just what form this may take
has not yet been determined.
Colonel Roosevelt and his associates
were held back from starting the revolt
two weeks ago by the promise that the
prosecution had case against the
Socialists which would convince them
their ousting was justified They were
asked to be patient and wait until the
prosecution put in it's case
"But the prosecution has closed and
not scrap of testimony has been ad-
duced to warrant the expulsion" said
one of the insurgents. at is a trav-
csty on representative government for
Speaker Sweet and his little group to
deprive these men Of their seats
moment longer"
The trial was adjourned tonight at
the request of counsel to the Socialists
who said that by being granted the time
they could present their case in half
the time they could if required to go
on.
Just before adjournment, Gilbert E.
Roe, of counsel to the Socialists, asked
for the striking out Of all evidence re-
lating to the acts of Assemblymen
Claessens, Waldman, Orr and Solomon
In previous sessions.
He cited the case of State Senator
James Wood, who in 1872 was tried for
having accepted loans from "Boss"
Tweed and Jay Gould during previous
session Of the Legislature. The Senate
Judiciary Committee found:
THAT the acts with which he now
stands charged are not offenses against
tins body, but of the former Senate,
and that the resolution of expulsion be
postponed indefinitely"
0nali ildu MdrIln denlcd the motion.
The first day of the defense was
given over entirely to the reading of
the constitutions of the Socialist party
in state and nation, and to excerpts
from the Socialist Congressional cam
paign textbook of 1918, which already
had been introduced by the prosecu-
ton. Seymour Stedman and S. John
Block took turns in reading the docu-
ments.
Much Of the matter read was in an
swer to the charges made by Peter w.
Collins, director general of the knights
Of Columbus Reconstruction ard En-
ployment Bureau. Collins testified that
socialism was an enemy of God, the
country and the family.
RusselPs Speech Read
Block, in answer to this. read from
speech made by Charles Russell son
of LORD Russell, at an annual congress s.
OF the Young Mems Catholic Society of
Great Britain. Russell, in mis- speech,
SAID:
"Now, socialism is denounced bv
many of our Catholic priests and Cath
o!ic laymen as something abominable.
which no Catholic can support or toll
crate, and Socialists are declared to
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