The Washington times., 1921-10-27
Of
DEBATE IS
DOUBTFUL
Democrats Ready to Submit
Resolution of Censure il
Custer Is Failure.

Congressman Thomas L. Blanton
(Democrat) of Texas came on the
floor of the House at noon today to
fight for retention of his seat.
The resolution for his expulsion
because of insertion in the Con-
gressional Record of grossly obscene
and indecent matter" was brought
out by Republican Leader Mondell
after a roll call had disclosed a
majority of House members in at
tendance.
Future Is at Stake
Involved in Blantons fight is his
political future. His expulsion might
result in his enforced permanent re-
tfrement from political office, or 1t
might bring about a firmer entrench-
ment in power in Texas politics and
and an elevation to the United States
Senate. The two views of the result
are held respectively by large mum.
ber of southern politicians.
The House galleries were filled long
before the beginning of the battle,
women predominating among the
spectators.
Lively interest in the outcome of
the proceedings was evidenced by the
members, and doubt prevailed as to
the result of the vote on the ex-
pulsion resolution.
During the morning there were
many conferences, informal in char
,oSo IzIt
with the Republican Steering Com
mittee and Speaker Gillett to discuss
the order of business.
Democrats In Conference.
Prominent Democrats talked the
situation over with Democratic Lead.
er Garrett and discussed the charac-
ter of censure resolution that might
be flung into the House should the
expulsion resolution fail to get the
two-thirds vote Of the House required
for it's passage. The censure resolu-
ton would pass with a majority vote.
There was noticeable stiffening
of lines both for and against the
expulsion resolution during the early
hours. The Massachusetts delegation
was the first to show division, sew
eral of it's Republican members an
n uncing they considered the punish
fnenI pToNlutu tco ldStlC. pldhtoh
attitude toward the House during
the days proceedings, all admitted,
would have decided influence on
the result.
In presenting his charages to the
House Congressman MOndell charged
that the language used In the matter
inserted in the Record by BIantOn
was "vile, foul. filthy, profane,
blasphemous, and obscene"
"If 1 should repeat even few
words Of this matter on this floor 1
would be subject to expulsion"
Mondcll said.
that this is not the vilest thing he
has ever seen In print"
Makes Dramatic Appeal.
This is my last speech in the
House," dramatically declared Blan-
ton when he took the floor to speak
against the resolution.
IT do not even have an appeal,
Blanton stated. 'If my $4,000 con-
stituents send me back here you will
not permit me to sit in the House.
In opening his speech Blanton
handed to the Speaker a batch Of pa
pers which he said were an extension
of remarks on the railroad situation.
He asked that his remarks be perused
by the House and censored II this was
necessary.
Although he appeared extremely III
at ease while the resolution was read
and subsequent speech made bv
Floor Leader Mondell. Blanton evinced
no signs of nervousness as he took his
place in the center front of the House
and began addressing the crowded as.
semblage OF Congressman and on.
Iookers