The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-01
Proposed Constitutional
Amendment.
Democrats Say IL Is a Nero
Political Pretext.

Washington, May 31.-The House today
under special order adopted after an ex-
ceedingly hot debate In which the leaders
on both sides charged each other with
playing 10 political galleries, entered up
ported from the Judiciary committee pro-
posing a constitutional amendment to
lodge in Congress the power to define,
regulate, control, prohibit or dissolve
trusts, monopolies or combinations.
Under the terms OF the order today,
with a night session was devoted to de-
bate and tomorrow at five o'clock the vote
Is to be taken without opportunity to
amend. Saturday is to be devoted to the
bill to amend the Sherman antitrust
law. The Democrats charged that the pro-
posed constitutional amendment was OBJ
jectionable in every way; that 1t was a
mere political pretext; that 1t was un-
necessary and was proposed at the end Of
the session for election purposes in the
coming campaign.
The Republicans repudiated the charge
Of bad faith. A constitutional amend
ment requires a two-thirds vote to adopt
or 236 votes with the present membership
of the House. The Republicans have only
1856 votes, fifty less than the requisite two
thirds. Today the only speakers were
Messrs. Ray of New York, Terry Of Ar
kansas, and Lanham of Texas.
When the House met Mr.. Dalzell from
the committee on rules presented the
special order for the reconsideration of
the antitrust resolution and bill which
he withdrew yesterday to allow the
House to dispose Of private pension bills.
The rule was the same as that hereto
fore prepared except that it provided for
a vote on the amendment on Friday and
the bill on Saturday. Mr.. Dalzell ex-
planned that the rule presented was for
the consideration of the two measures re-
ported by the Judiciary committee for an
amendment empowing Congress to enact
legislation dealing with trusts and the
bill for the amendment Of the Sherman
anti Trust law. Mr.. Richardson, the
minority leader, criticizing the rule de-
clared that 1t was framed to bring the
House to vote on the resolution without
opportunity to amend it. The whole mat
ter, he said, is for political effect.
The Democratic party, continued Mr..
Richardson, believes the evils Of trusts
should be checked, and we, on this side
are ready and willing to vote for any
measure for their suppression and con-
troll. We would even vote for o constitu-
tional amendment II one were necessary,
but the proposed constitutional amend
ment win not serve the purpose. 1t will
have exactly the opposite effect. It will
take away from the states the power to
legislate against trusts. hope that every
Democrat on this floor, he concluded,
turning to his Democratic colleagues,
who loves law and order will stand with
us in the effort to vote down this resolu-
ton. Democratic applause.)
Mr.. Grosvenor Of Ohio, followed Mr..
Richardson.
''If this were q new question, although
it involves radical amendment to or
ganic law" he said, "more debate might
with propriety be demanded. But 1t is
not new question and time enough has
been allowed for gentlemen to put them
selves on record. Why do We not allow
amendments to be offereds Our justifica-
ton Is perfect one. This Is a proposition
Of the majority. We viii be held respon-
sible. The opposition will not share the
burden, II burden IL be. Thereupon we
come to you saying: This is our propo-
sition. You can take 1t or array yourself
against it,
1--WE will place it before tho people and
before the next session Of Congress con-
venes they win have ample time to dis
cuss and pass upon it. This is a radical
action. I was Inclined to criticise 1t when
the Democratic leader, Mr.. Bryan, sug
gested it at Chicago. criticised 1t as I'M
Democratic. Since that time Mr.. Bryan
has remained silent but we are now here
submitting Ii. You can either approve 10
or go on record against it," (Republican
applause.)
Mr.. Bailey OF Texas, replied to Mr..
Grosvenor. By common consent ON both
sides, said he, MIR. Grosvenor was con-