The New York herald., 1922-02-25
THREAT OF REPRISAL
! DRAWS CLASS'S FIRE
Virginia Senator Tells War
Veteran He Will Not
Trim Sails
WAS NEVER FOR BONUS
When Secretary of Treas
ury He Distinctly Fought
Money Raid.
TO RETAIN SELF-RESPECT
Will Not Vote for Bill Which
Would Be Ruinous to
Country.
TO RETAIN SELF-RESPECT
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, D. C. Feb ~

New York Herald Bureau
Washington. ID. c.. Feb. "a (
Senator Carter Glass of Virginia,
who as Secretary of the Treasury dur
ing the Wilson Administration. de-
clared himself opposed to any bonus
raid on the national finances, empha-
sized his objections to it to-day in a
most vigorous manner.
In replying to letter threatening
him with political reprisals. the Sena-
Tor practically invited the writer (an
ex-service mani to do his worst. The
reply of the Virginia Senator, who is
distinguished for speaking his mind
regardless of the consequences, is re-
garded as classic of it's kind.
Without wasting any time arguing.
Senator Glass informed his fellow citizen
that he was not afraid of political
threats and would follow his own judg-
ment in performing his Senatorial duties
Mistaken Supposition.
You are quite mistaken in the sup
position that in voting as I intend to
vote, says the Senator, II will violate
any campaign promises. When / was
Secretary of the Treasury some while
before l became a United States Sem
ator i went before the committees Of
Congress and distinctly avowed my op-
position to the bonus proposition hence.
was appointed and subsequently elected
to the Senate with the full understand
ing of my position by the people of
Virginia.
In addition to this I personally wrote
and stood on the Virginia State platform
of my party, which EXPLICITLY deplored
stimulated efforts to fasten further op-
pressive burdens upon the taxpayers of
the country by an enormous bond issue
or consumption tax levies to give an in
discriminate cash bonus to enlisted men.
thousands of whom themselves repelled
the idea OF having their unselfish SER
vice appraised in terms of pecuniary re-
ward.''
Senator Glass also called the attention
Of his correspondent to the Democratic
platform adopted at San Francisco which
declared that THE fine patriotism eX-
hibited. the heroic conduct displayed by
American soldiers. sailors and marines
at home and abroad constitute sacred
heritage OF posterity the worth of which
can never be recompensed from the
Treasury"
Regardng his decision to continue in
opposition to the bonus. the Senator
says:
Thus, however perverse my course
may seem. you must admit that you
are distressingiy wrong concerning the
circumstances when you threateningly
assert that | will violate campaign
promises when / refuse. as | undoubtedly
shall, to vote for the bonus bill.
His Attitude Defined.
You are quite as completely mis-
taken in your suppostior tnat I was
sent to the Senate to act as a sounding
board Cor any class of citizens which
may assert. or imagine. that 1t con-
stitutes a majority of the people of
Virginia. 1t is my conception that
was sent here to represent a sovereign
State to the best OF my ability, accord
ing TO my judgment and conscience. and
not to Trim sails TO catch the shifting
winds OF popular favor ! 10 not have
TO stay i'm the Senate: but as long as
I am here I shah have regard for my
Intellectual integrity and retain my self
respect
IT know perfectly well that in voting
as 7 purpose to vote | win incur the
ncurable dislike OF some ex-service
men. but ] prefer to believe that there
also were soldiers Of different sort
IN the ranks of those splendid men who
went across the seas to fight for Amer
lean ideals of liberty, and these will not
think less OF me for adhering TO my
convictions.
''At all events. and whatever betide,
shall not vote for bill which in my
judgment. would be runous TO the coun-
try embracing in It's evil effects and
numbering among its victims the ex-
service men along with the rest And
you may be sure that am cheerfully
willing to accept the consequences OF
doing what / think Is right; likewise
you may be certain that have no OBJ
lection TO the suggestion that my views,
In conjunction with your own. be pub
lished In any paper TO which you may
get access. Resretting that I cannot see
the thing as YOU do. believe me-" etc