New-York tribune., 1921-04-17
Senate Votes.
Toilet Wilson
Practice Here
Chamber in Turmoil as 2
Members Make Strong
Objections to Measure
Backed by the Governor

ALBANY, April 16.-The Senate was
in turmoil short time to-day when
Senator James E. Towner, Of Duchess
County, and Senator Frank L. Wiswau.
OF Albany, an ex-service man, voted
against bill permitting ex-President
Wilson to practice law in this state.
~ vote no." exclaimed Senator
Towner. II would regard myself as a
hpyocritc and demaeogue if / voted
for this bill.'
Senator Wiswall said:
II can see no reason why there should
be any difference in admitting to the
bar OF this state a country boy who
has worked his way up and an ex-
President of the United States, and so
l vote no.''
Senator James J. Walker, minority
leader, said:
ut would be better not to pass this
bill at all than to let it go through
this Senate with negative votes record
ed against it-and discredit and humil-
late former President of the United
States"
He then moved that the vote by
which the bill passed be reconsidered
and that the motion lie on the table.
The two objecting Senators were
finally persuaded to Withdraw their
votes by the majority leader. Senator
Towner in doing SO said:
y have already stated my sentiments,
SO that there can be no mistake about
them"
Then Senator Walker moved the pas
sage Of the bill, and it was passed with
out any negative votes, Senators Town
er and Wiswall being excused from
voting -
Governor Sends Message
The bill was introduced after spe-
cial message from Governor Miller had
adoption. The Governors message
read:
81 wish to recommend to the consid-
GRAFTON of the Legislature the passage
Of an act to confer on ex-President
Woodrow Wilson the right to practice
law in the State Of New York.
"The reasons for this act of courtesy
need not be enumerated at length. A
lawyer by regular admission and prac-
tice in an American state, an eminent
educator and author, president for
eight years of leading university,
Governor of a neighboring common
wealth, President of the United States
of America for two terms, this distin-
privilege the comforting Of which, | be-
lieve, would be an eminently graceful
act and one universally approved"
When the bill carrying out the Gov
ernor's recommendations was offered
Senator Wiswall rose and, pounding
his desk, exclaimed:
Il cannot vote for this bill The
whole principle involved in this meas
ure is repugnant to me. Under the
constitutional guarantees all men are
created equal, and this bill violates
this principle. I am not taking this
attitude because of the fact that Presi-
dent Wilson is involved, but because
no man should be given an opportunity
denied to another"
Senator Wiswall had hardly finished
speaking before Senator Walker re-
piled. He expressed regret that Sen
ator Wiswall should deem it necessary
to take issue in this matter just be-
cause he thought principle was in
volved which could not be compro-
missed.
Walker Speaks for Bill
"Here is man who has sacrificed
his health and given all he has to his
country" said Senator Walker. "He is
like a bird with broken wing, and
now the Senator refuses to share in eX-
tending this small recognition to man
who occupied the White House during
the eight most difficult years this coun-
try has ever experienced. We may not
ali agree with his policies or his prin-
ciplcs. but in my opinion he is the
greatest veteran in this country Of the
World War. We have honored other
World War veterans, so why should we
not honor him by passing this bill
which has been brought here as COM
pliment to him ?"
A sharp attack upon the policies
laid down by ex-President Wilson in
dealing with the Socialist movement
CONTINUED on next pasc)