The Guthrie Daily Leader

THE
"400"
ROASTED
Bitter Attack on Patriotism of New York Society.

Washington, Feb. 24.—A variety of subjects occupied the attention of the House during the consideration of the sundry civil appropriation bill. Mr. Mahaney, Republican, of New York, made an attack on the patriotism of some of the social leaders of New York, whom, he said, held high revel when the nation was bowed down with grief over the loss of life resulting from the Maine explosion. While the mangled remains of the brave sailors who perished in that awful explosion were being carried to their graves the so-called and self-denominated 400 of New York had a social revel which was termed a "vegetable party." How different the feeling manifested by these so-called social leaders in the metropolitan city of the United States and the condition in London when the Camperdown sank the Victoria. In London on that occasion there was everywhere the black badge of mourning. Every social function was abandoned, while in New York the social leaders wearied high heaven with their revels.

Yet in the last campaign these same people prated of "national honor" when a financial question was before the country. Then it was "national honor." A few days ago when the nation's head was bowed and the dismembered fragments of her dead were going to their graves they seemed utterly oblivious to her grief. He had no desire, he said, to reflect upon the rich. There was a distinction between those who employed capital in a productive capacity and those who were drones and users of wealth, who toiled not nor spun, who dared to disturb the hours of the nation's mourning with this insult to the dead. (Applause.)

He would not hesitate, he said, so far as he was concerned, to endeavor to free the skirts of the Republican party from associating with these mere possessors and spenders of riches, who assumed to represent national honor when they thought their bonds were threatened, but who had not a tear for those who went to their graves in its defense. (Renewed applause.) Mr. Mahaney referred to the vegetable party," given by Abram Hewitt of New York on the evening of February 17.