The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-02-16
MELLON RAPED
BY TOM WATSON

aSliilS lOIl, CeD. 10. - secretary
Mellon is holding the Office of secre
tary of the treasury in violation Of
the law and can be arrested for re-
tanning the place if any one sees fiji
to swear out warrant charging him
with the offense, Senator Watson
(Democrat) of Georgia declared in tho
senate late today. The law which Mr.
Mellon is violating, Senator Watson
said, prohibits the secretary of the
treasury from engaging in any kline
of business or commerce.
Senator Watson told the senate that
Mr.. Mellon could be impeached "any
time we see fit" and read to the SEN
ate the provision of Section 243 of the
revised statutes which, he declared
expressly forbids Mr.. Mellon to re.
tain his place. He declared that by
staying in office the secretary was
violating the law, adding that it was
generally known that Mr.. Mellon was
one of the wealthiest individuals in
the country.
The assertions by the Georgia sen.
ator were made in connection with
several speeches of the accomplish.
ments of the two major political par.
ties. He informed the senate in the
course of his remarks that the law
now listed as Section 243, was passed
in the first congress of the United
States, and that during the admins.
tration of President Grant A. T. Stew.
art had withdrawn after being nam.
ed secretary of the treasury when at.
tention was called to provisions OF
the act.
Senator Watson asked Senator Hef
lin (Democrat) of Alabama for his
opinion on "what the people will think
of the way our government is being
run when criminal, unconvicted, but
disobeying the penalty open and no.
toriously committing crime, is left
in charge of our national funds ant
the refunding of debts of $11 ,OOO, 900,
900.
Senator Hefiin said that Senator
Watson had shown that Secretar,
Mellon was violating the law and tha
it was time for senator's to speak.
Mr.. Watson stated that Mr.. Stewar
had resigned three days after his con
firmation by the senate and afte
President Grant had learned of tn,
provisions of the law.
.as, .And sif Mr.. zStewart resigned, ,n cor,
tinued the senator, "why should no,
Mr.. Mellon resign? Why should HI
continue in Office in insolent violation
of the law? He knows it; so doe.
President Harding know it and tn,
Republican party is going to have t,
answer for it this fall for I do not be
lieve the people will stand for opel
violation Of the law by a member o
the cabinet when persons Throughout
the country are prosecuted for trivia
offcnses."
Asking why the president did no
"respect the statutes" Senator Wat
son said that Mr.. Mellon was "impu
dent" for retaining the Office an,
ought to resign.
"If he doesn't resign" he added
"then the president ought to ask TO
his resignation"
The Georgia senator referred to tn
recent passage Of the allied deb
funding bill and said that never be
fore in history had so much none,
been placed in the hands of one ma,
to handle, "and that man is violatin!
the law every day of his life" H
challenged "all of the lawyers in tn
senate" to refute his statements rela
tive to Mr.. Melons right to remain
as secretary.
Mr.. Watson referred to Mr.. Mello
as "a colossal figure in the busines
world" and declared that he had n
more right to be secretary of tn
treasury than had ~. P. Morgan o
John D. Rockefeller or member O
the firm of Sears, Roebuck & Co.,
you please"
He also read from James G. Blaine
"Twenty Years in Congress" a refer
ence to the circumstances surround
ing the nomination of Mr.. Stewar
This told how Mr.. Grant had aske
congress first to amend the law t
except Mr.. Stewart and then after
was seen that congress was unwillin
to make the changes the presiden
withdrew the request ard the newl
named secretary resigned.