Edward Voigt Quotes
The greatest single blessing enjoyed by the people of these United States is the right of conscience -- the right to think, and to say and write what one thinks. I admit of no limitation of that right.
Berger, an elected Congressman, was denied his seat after he had written an editorial against the First World War {587982} and been convicted under the then existing law. The House vote was 311 to 1. The 1 was Voigt. Berger was re-elected again anyway. Finally, the Supreme Court overturned his conviction and the House seated Burger. The one had been right; the 311, wrong.
Edward Voigt, 1873-1934, U. S. Congressman (Democrat, WI), House Speech Opposing the Denial of Victor Berger’s Seat in Congress, 1918
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Berger had been convicted as a “traitor” for an editorial he had written opposing WWI {587982}. By a 311 to 1 vote, Burger was denied his seat in Congress, and then he was re-elected again anyway. Finally, the Supreme Court overturned his conviction and the House seated him. See {587980} for the single Congressman who opposed unseating him.
Berger was actually prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to 20 years in prison, for this editorial. The House refused to seat him after the 1918 election (see {587981}); his constituents re-elected him in 1920 anyway. Finally the Supreme Court overturned his conviction, and he was again seated in Congress.
Edward Voigt was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin who represented Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district.
