Milford chronicle., 1922-10-20
CONGRESSMAN LAYTON EX-
PLAINS HIS VOTE ON DYER BILL
IN SPEECH DELIVERED AT WILMINGTON ON MONDAY NIGHT He
SAYS that HE CONSULTED TWELVE EMINENT LAWYERS
BEFORE VOTING ON The MEASURE.
SAYS THAT THE BILL WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
PERSONALLY CONGRESSMAN LAYTON DOES NOT FAVOR LYNCNC
BUI H. IHE in MEASURE M PROPOSED Was TOO FAR REACH
ING AND WOULD AFFECT STATES RIGHTS HE SAYS

Congressman Caleb R. Layton, OF
Georgetown, Republican candidate for
reelection, Monday night addressed
an overflow meeting of the Republican
First District Committee in the Young
Mems Republican Club in Whining
ton, and openly denounced the Dyer
anti-lynching bill, declared it uncon-
stltutlonal, and gave an extended ex-
position of his reasons for voting
against the measure.
L am not any more in favor of
lynching than any man here, whether
he be black or white" declared the
congressman in introducing his OBJ
jections to the proposed legislation.
The candidate then told why the bill
is unconstitutional.
Layton Explains Bill
In dissecting the bill for the en-
lightenment of his auditors the con-
gresham said that if the bill were
to become law and a lynching took
place in Delaware, the county in
winch 1t occurred would be taxed S1O,-
200. The public, he said, innocent of
any connection with the crime COM
mitted, would have to pay the surviv-
ors Of the dead man that sum.
The Georgetown candidate said |
levying Of such tax upon the coun-
ty or the people of the county is con-
trary to the Constitution, which says
that no taxes except general ones
shall be admissible. This, the con-
gressman said, was his chief objection
to the bill.
He pointed out that the purposes of
the bill are good, but that because a
bill contains rightful purpose, that
does not make it constitutional, and
he cited the case of the child labor
law repealed by the United States Su-
Dreme Court.
Bill UsUrp Power, He Says
Continuing analysis of the bill, the
told how it would de-
Drive the State courts and police of
he power to mete out Judgment in
'ases of crime. He added that if Con-
5ress could take this power away
rom the state by virtue of the Dyer
'ill, they could accordingly divert the
tate Of power in other and all cases
# crime. |
Il don't believe" he said, you !
would want to take away from Della !
ware the right to hear all cases dis :
osed of in your courts"
Describing the manner in which he I
rrived at a decision as to the bills d
Mr.. Layton said he I
ought the counsel of twelve of the I
lOst eminent lawyers in the state. He V
aid these lawyers were not of the ?
lediocre sort but all especially cmi- .
cfT f1an I
lie said he didn't bother with the d
mall picayune lawyers.
Had Twelve Advisors II II
The twelve advisers he admitted D
I'D him to positively vote against it. A
ne Of these men he said was former a
ldge William H. Boyce. Now, the f,
Ongressman says the former judge a
desteps the issue and when asked by e.
colored organization as to his posi-
on refused to say whether he was
sainst or for the bill. The congress-
an proclaimed that he was not
raid to answer any questions put to
m. th
"Boyce is a judge" added Layton, W
nd let him answer what the bill is. bi
)u can't ask me a question I won't dc
lswer." tn
Addresses COlOred Men IN
Addressing the colored men present, u
Q congressional candidate said: Ln m
'on't make a mistake. The Consti- W.
tion Of the United States should be
st what the Bible is in church. All M W:
er our country today there are IL IL
lrching forces engaged in spread ~ W
, OrOOa oan6o IN IocfroTy &T,o aov HIS
tuition. ga
IF you don't like the constitution, GU
ange it." Layton told his audience, ere
1t don't destroy it," he said.
In closing let me say that you had ~ tn'
ter be careful and watch the course 70
events. We are being threatened. w WI
Mt think you can go into socialism tne
any of the other evils without go a.
down the toboggan into hell" ''cS