The Coolidge examiner., 1940-06-20

IollOWS. bIluSeS vote CduSeu
much adverse comment here
among prominent men. Public
sentiment high, not knowing facts.
Wire each p p er explaining
thoroughly so public will under
stand. In these difficult times
sentiments get out of control and
public thinks you have sold out"
This telegram hurts me deeply,
but | at once sent at my own ex-
pense to the Arizona Republic,
Phoenix Gazette, Tucson Citizen.
and Tucson Star the following
telegram on June 18th: Arizona
citizens wire me protesting my
vote on Bridges Deportation Bill.
Fairminded citizens should get
whole story before judgment.
voted rule to consider bill, then
voted for O'Connor amendment
guaranteeing due process of law
for Bridges, which amendment
failed. | voted against substitute
amendment denying Bridges writ
of habeas corpus, which amend
ment carried. | voted against bi.Ps
final passage because plain uncon-
stitutional, jeopardizing our con-
stitutional government. William
Tyler Page, author Americans
Creed, yesterday in House approx
ed my stand. We imperil Ameri-
can constitutional rights by pass
ing that bill. | remember my oath.
Please publish this personally
paid message awaiting explana-
ton"
In order to make further ex-
planation | have laidaside the re-
lease prepared for today, and am
substituting this telegraph which
explanation with an elaboration. |
do sincerely trust that the fair
minded, level-headed people of
Arizona will hear me before jump
ing to the conclusion that | have
sold out" or that / am giving aid
and comfort to alien enemies and
the like. On page 1244S of the
Congressional Record for June
18th will be found a fuller ex-
planation of my stand than can be
contained in this item.
In connection with this bill l
was highly honored the next day
when William Tyler Page, author
of THE AMERICANS CREED. for
many years clerk of the House or
Representatives and now an Of
ficial OF the House-an eminent
scholar and outstanding exponent
of American patriotism - came
over beside me for a half hour,
approving what | said the day be-
fore and making some statesman
like suggestions concerning sucnl
legislative dilemmas. Judge Leavy
and Judge Hobbs, two of the out
standing lawyers in the House.
spoke against and voted against
the Bridges Deportation Bill. Now,
Judge Hobbs, as a ranking mem
ber on the House Judiciary Com
mittea knows the law and has no
undue sympathy for aliens. He Isl
the author of several measures
dealing with undesirable aliens.
The Judge has no sympathy for
Harry Bridges-nor have but
both of us regard this bill as high
ly dangerous, jeopardizing consu-i
tutional principles which W eI
Americans hold dear.
I myself have written textbooks
explaining the significance OF due
process of law, the writ of habeas
corpus, and the grave danger OF
bills of attainder and expost facto
laws. have furnished thousands
of copies, some just recently. Of
the Constitution to our citizens
varying in age from eight to eighty
and particularly have | furnished
facsimiles of the original Bill OF
Rights to patriotic individuals and
groups. Am expected to render
only hypocritical lip-service to the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights?!
Is there anyone in Arizona VINO
would have me ignore my oath OF
office and help bring about mob
rule and dictatorship by deviating
from our American system of gov
ernment under constitutional laws?
cannot believe it. A vital
fundamental principle of American
government is at stake in this bill,
and it transcends in Importance
the fate of any one man. | voted
on the Bridges Deportation Bill
not with Harry Bridges in mind,
but with the welfare of a hundred
thirty millions of American