SENATE TRIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 April 1933, Page 8

SENATE TRIAL

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS ACCUSED. WASHINGTON, February 10. The Judiciary Committee of the Senate is to-day cross-examining Mr David Barry, the veteran Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, who has been hailed to trial at the bar, and is likely to be dismissed from their service. The trial is the result of an article Mr Barry wrote containing the following paragraph:— “Contrary, perhaps, to popular belief, there are not many crooks in Congress—that is out>and-out grafters and those who are willing to be such. There are not many Senators, or representatives who sell their vote for money, and it is pretty well known who these few are.” The article was published in the “New Outlook,” a magazine edited by Mr Alfred Smith, former Governor of New York State, and Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 1928. The Senate, usually described by American historians as “the most powerful and august legislative body in the world,” was deeply shocked when Senator Walsh, of Montana, directed the attention of the Chamber “to this gross libel.” Mr Barry, who is a grey-haired official of 14 years’ service and who is 73 years old, was put on his trial, the Senate acting as prosecutor, court, and jury. He declined the assistance of a counsel and submitted that his real intention was not to defame but to defend Congress. The sergeant, who was once a newspaper correspondent of high standing, declared that books in schools and universities here have accused members of Congress of being crooks, and that he wished to dispel this belief, which was popular.

None of the Senators at this extraordinary trial took Mr Barry’s part. Th© Senate’s sensitiveness to Mr Barry’s remarks is the subject of much good-natured chaffing in the press, and subtle suggestions are advanced that the cap must fit to be so much resented.