Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-10-28
.BLANT0N FALLS IN
FAINT AS HOUSE
PUBLICLY REbUKES
Vote of 293 to Directs Speaker to Censure
Texas Representative Caused Foul and
Obscene Matter to b Printed in Congress
sonal Record Kisses Follow Reprimand-
Expulsion Resolution Defeated by Only
Votes

Washington, Get. 27-saved from
teinr thrown out of the House OF
representatives by a bare margin OF
right votes, Thomas L. Blanton,
Texas Democrat, was publicly repri-
manded late today by Speaker Gill
lott in accordance with a resolution
OF ccnsure, against which no man
cast vote.
Then, a moment later, as he
walked out Of the amber with all
eyes upon him, he toppled over in a
heap. Some of his colleagues who
had voted to expel him, picked him
up and placed him on a lounge. But
he did not stay there long. RousinG
himself he stumbled out, the tears
streaming down his cheeks and as ne
went away he was heard to express
the hope he might never see the
House again.
There was no doubt Of the fact as
members expressed 1t, that the IeAah
was utterly crushed and worn by his
experience of the day, an experience
that seldom comes during the lie
of a man in Congress. For an hour
and ten minutes, with hostile eyes
upon him, he fought to defend him.
self from the charge, made by the
Republican leader Mr.. Mondell that
he had transgressed the law by put
ting into +the Congressional record
a document described as "unSpeak
ably vile"
Refusing at first to yield for ques-
tioning, he permitted Representative
I.ongworth, Republican, Ohio, to ask
him something and Republicans as
serted tonight the xne reply turned
the tide against him. The Ohio
member wanted to know If the re-
port was true that Mr.. Blanton had
declared an intention to mail 2oO,O0O
copies of the undeivered speech
with its offending affidavit, after the
House had ordered 1t stricken from
the record.
Only lack of money. he said pre-
vented it's mailing to every voting
man in the United States.
Instantly, half dozen representa-
tives were on their feet, trying to
break in. Representative Blanton
had reiterated that the publication
had been sent out lin just cause
that no Jaw had been violated.
Dramatically. he pleaded with the
House, for the sake of his wife and
children to put back into the record
his own undelivered speech. in
which he declared there was not one
word calculated to give offense. But
Republicans objected. AS the fire of
questions started Mr.. Blanton
abruptly closed his speech with 20
minutes still due him and shot out
OF the House.
A substitute resolution offered by
Representatives Garrett. Tennessee,
Democratic leader. censuring the
Texan for printing Language so IN
decent. obscene, vulgar and vile.' as
to render the record unavailable, and
directing the speaker to ''reprimand
and censure him" at the bar of the
House was thrown out on point of
order. prior to the vote on Mr.. Mon
delrs resolution demanding expulsion.
This resulted 2O3 to 113. not the requi
site two-thirds.
But when the Republican leader
lost his fight to GUST the Texan, the
Democratic leader, getting the master
hand over procedure, called up his
resolution for immediate vote. As
the names were called there was
shout of "ayes," half the members 60
Ing out as they answered The poll
showed e93 to none. with IS voting
present"
AS the word passed along that Mr..
Elanton would be immediately called
before the bar of tine House. members
streamed back into the chamber. The
sergeant-at-arms had been directed TO
bring the Texan in.
Members turned In their seats and
the crowds in the gallery looked down
curiously as the main door facing the
speakers desk swung open and JOS
eph G. Rodgers. holding Mr.. Elanton
by the arm walked down to the front.
Half dozen members on the Re-
publican side began kissing. but the
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