The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-04

in an extra session.
Throughout the night there was long
and determined effort to defeat the river
and harbor bill. led by Senator Carter ol
Montana When Mr. Nelson presented
the first conference report all but the
items for three reservoirs In Wyoming
and South Dakota and the Brazos OF
Texas, appropriation of S500,000, had
been adjusted
After Senator Carter had talked for
four hours on the bill 1t was sent back
to conference. Before 1t was again
brought in other matters had been
cleared away and the fight began ia
earnest.
Upon the second report Mr.. Nelson
announced that unless the senate reced~
ed the bill would fail and he moved that
the senate recede. Upon this motion.
Messrs. Warren. Hansbrough, Stewart
Mason and Wellington made speeches.
Then at 6.35 a. m. Mr.. Carer took the
floor He said that impelled by q strong
sense of duty he felt h should do an be
could to defeat the bill.
when I examined this bill this morn
ing" said Mr.. Carter. II became amazed
at the stupendous character Of it. carly
ing, $50 900. 900 of the peoples money and
so much of this sum for places that
should not receive IT,"
Then he added impressively: This
bill will not pass unless my strength
fails before IL o'clock; and am in "a
pretty fair state of health"
He then began speaking with delibera-
ton, referring to Hawaii public lands.
reading from the report on the river and
harbOr bill and commenting upon it. The .
other senators stood about in groups
the chairs were mostly empty and the
senate in the gray dawn Of morning
presented a rather desolate appearance
After Mr.. Carter had been talking for
about an hour and half. Nj. Pettus in-
terrupted to condemn the course Of Air.
Carter
Mr.. Carter. blandly replied by asserting
that the Alabama senator could not de-
fepd the appropriation for Trinity river
in Alabama.
Mr.. Pettus vigorously asserted that he
was not expressing his opinion of the
bill. but he did have a very decided
opinion of a senator who would hold up
the senate in this way on day when
we are to inaugurate a president of the
United States
Mr.. Carter smiling said he would be
glad to take a rcesS and let the river
when there was no Inauguration cere-
mony.
At $40 there were about a dozen sen-
ators in the chamber when MI Well
ington raised the point Of no quorum
The roll call brought in thirty senator's
The sergeant-at-arms was directed 20
secure the attendance Of abscntees. This
call suspended all business for an In
definite time. the attendants taking adj
vantage of the opportunity to gather up
the masses Of waste paper which had
long session and put the extra chairs in
place for the distinguished guests ex-
pected later in the day.
At five minutes of nine and with only
eight senators in the chamber Mr.. Petit
grew moved to adjourn. but Mr.. Carter
opposed the motion, saying he desired
to finish his speech.
The forenoon was spent by Aessfs
Carter and Wellington in talking the
river and .harbor bill to death. Trey
succeeded in this. AT noon Mr. Jones
(Arlz.) moved a resolution OF thanks io
President Frye for his impartial and
courteous course as presiding officer. Mi.
Frye acknowledged the compliment in II
few words. The senate clock was
moved back for these formalities The
vice president-elect was sworn after u