SOCIALISTS EXPELLED FROM A LEGISLATURE.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15347, 10 April 1920, Page 4

SOCIALISTS EXPELLED FROM A LEGISLATURE.

The State 'Legislature of New York adheres to its exclusion of five of its members on account of their membership, of the Socialist Party. 'After its organisation the Lower House, by 140 votes to 6, refused to permit these men to take their seats. This decision, was confirmed the other day. In brief the charges preferred against them are that in August last the Socialists, to which party they officially belonged, declared their adherence to the revolutionary forces of Soviet llussia, and pledged themselves to the International Socialists' Union ; that they have endorsed the principles of the Communist International, which is pledged to the forcible overthrow of all organised governments, and requires its members in their political action to be guided by the constitutional platform of their party, those members who hold public office to follow the party's instruction? under penalty of expulsion; that such instructions may be given by an executive committee made tip in part by aliens; that the Socialist Party have declared that the only justifiable use of arms is for the class struggle, and liave pronounced against "the false Sbctrine of national patriotism" : that they urged their members not to take part in the war against Germany; and that it is to the principles of this prty, which has been, convicted of violation of the Espionage Act of the United States, that these men have subscribed. Mr. Berger, who heads the five, is a believer in the Soviet form of government, and represents Milwaukee, a constitutnecy with a strong German element. The matter is still before the law courts, on appeal. The unusual action of the Legislature is strongly opposed by Socialist groups. Others who are not Socialists object that a majority cannot legally deny representation to a minority.