RIDICULE OF U.S. SENATE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18056, 5 April 1933, Page 12

RIDICULE OF U.S. SENATE

SEQUEL TO OFFICER’S DISMISSAL FISTS SHAKEN IN HOUSE WASHINGTON, Feb. 9. The United States Senate paid a heavy price in ridicule and criticism last night when it dismissed Mr Davis Barry, its veteran Sergeant-at-Arms, for writing: “Contrary to popular belief there are few members of Congress who are crooks ami demagogues. ’ ’ For three hours, the Senators angrily debated their own virtues and shortcomings while spectators in the galleries laughed and applauded until one Senatoii left in disgust, >sli out iug: “Senate is making a holy show of itself for the amusement of the nation \nd the world.” It was evident that the legislators were smarting under a deluge of critiisin charging them with being modern Neros, fiddling while their Rome burned. Powerless to retaliate, the peevish Senate, a>s one speaker declared, seized upon Mr Barry’s criticism and made him the victim of their resentment.

Senator Logan, of Kentucky, a Democrat, ignited oratorical fireworks by describing the action against Mr Barry as “mob law.” He poured ..corn on tilt 1 “9(1 childishly angry Senators for harrying an old man who had given 14 years of faithful service” to the Senate.

Senator Logan’s biting sarcasm aroused his colleagues to fury. Their voices raised in angry protest, the Senators faced each other across their desks shaking their fists and shouting to the amazement of the people in the public galleries.

There was another outbreak when Senator Glenn accused many of his colleagues of criminally libelling others under the cloak of immunity from prosecution afforded by the Senate. '