The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-04-12
TEXAS CONGRESSMAN
ATTACHED by COLLEAGUES


Washington, April 6.-For the third
time within year the house was
thrown into an uproar today, with Rep |
rescntativc Blanton, Democrat, Texas,
the object of attack.
In fiery ten-minute speech, Rep
rescntative Garner, dean of the Texas
delegation, declared that Mr.. Blanton
was "as common liar as ever spoke a
word Of English in this country" Mr..
Blanton, however, was moi there to
hear the characterization, for he left
the chamber at the outset Of the verbal
attack, after shouting that he wouiu
hold the gentleman personally re-
sponsibc to me if he calls me q liar"
Standing six feet away, Mr.. Gar
ner had held up his hand during the
confusion, asking for order and re-
Questlng Mr.. Blanton not to leave.
But, responding to a clIGh of the
speakers gavel, scrGcants- at arms
had rushed in to prevent what az
pcared to he an opan break. when
Representative Summers, also of
Texas, sitting on the front row,
started toward Mr.. Blar-on. shout
Ing, you know you arc a liar
The trouble started while MI Blan-
ton, in dcnouncing newspaper rerort
OF speech he had male recently in
Texas, declaring that members could
not defend these measlcy items of
petty graft" referring to mileage and
the funds allotted each session to
members for stationery supplies. Mr.
blanton reiterated what he had SAID
IN the house in January, when, armed
with bag OF articles from the sta
Ilonery store, he produced a whiskey
mask. Mr.. Garner, objecting to this
me OF argument, insisted the impress
sion Mr. Blanton intended to convey.
was that members got these things at
taxpayers expense.
Starting out with the statement
that the world is full of 'all kinds Of
liars. the artistic liar, the inartisic liar
and the common ordinary liar" Garner.
his face flushed, declared that the man
he had in mind would destroy his own
family in order to accumulate wealth
or to place himself forward from ,po-
l1tical standoinpt." And then speak
Ing as he said, for the Texas delega-
ton, he shouted: Eve hang our heads
In shame and humiliation when Blan-
ton' OF Texas, is referred to as our
colleague" He spoke, too, he added,
for the entire Democratic party when
ne declared that 1--WE look upon him as
liability and distinct injury to our
party" -.4
If I could only suspend the rules
Of the house." Mr.. Garner said, as he
moved toward his seat, II would say
what Is in your hearts, that If the
rules did not prevent l would say what
43O members believe at this moment
that Thomas Blanton, of Texas, is a
disgrace to the house Of representatives
and ought to be kicked out"
After Representative Mondell, oe
wyoming, the Republican leader,
had made general reply to Blan-
tons charges as ito petty graft" with
the declaration that he could count on
the fingers of one hand the number OF
house members who would "stoop to
graft, petty or otherwise" the excite
ment subsided.
A moment later Mr.. Blanton re-
turned to his seat and within ten min
utes was making points OF order on
the S6,o00,000 bill carrying appropria-
tions for the departments of justice
and state.
One Of the reasons, as explained,
for Mr.. Gamers speech, was the
charge that Mr.. Blanton, in publishing
the menu at the house restaurant, had
omitted the price "in the hope Of MAX
ling 1t appear that the government paid
a congressman's food"
AS to the whiskey flask, Representa-
tive Barkley, Democrat, Kentucky, said
the stationery room records showed
that 1t had been ordered from Phila-
delphia at Mr.. Blantons request, and
that the latter had paid for 1t out Of
his own pocket.
-S-------------------------- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS