The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-28
All but Two Republican Senator's
Vote Against Consideration Of
the Littlefield Measure.
SEEMS DOOMED TO DEFEAT.
q. o. P. Managers Almost Aban
don Hope of Being Able to Pre-
vent Necessity for Special
Session of Senate.
The Republic Bureau,

14th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington. Feb. 27.-The legislative out
look in Congress was rather gloomy this
morning when both houses assembled at
II o'clock, but the old-timers around the
House and Senate were not dismayed, as
they have been through many crises like
the present. when everything seemed hope
less a few days before final adjournment,
but cleared up in the last hours. The wise
ones wagged their heads and prophesied
that such would be the outcome again.
Some trouble was anticipated in the Sen
ate In executive session late yesterday
afternoon Senator Blackburn served notice
upon the Republicans that there would be
no more business by unanimous consent un-
til the Republicans permitted a record vote
on tine motion to take up the IAttleheiu
antitrust bill. Senator Blackburn carried
his threat into execution this morning when
the Senate met by ob5ecting to the request
for the consideration of bills by unanimous
consent. The Senate then proceeded with
regular business in hand. as Senator Black
burn had stated that no effort would be
made to obstruct the appropriation bills or
the treaties.
Two important measures-the naval ap-
preparation bill and the Military Academy
appropriation bill-were passed in short
order. Then Senator Hoar tried 10 get up
his conference report on the antianarchist
bill but Senator Blackburn interposed w'tn
Il
The Republicans met the challenge TO go
on record against considering this measure,
and Senator Aldrich himself called for
yea and nav vote on the mouon
REPUBLICANS OPPOSE
TAKING UP ANTITRUST BILL.
The Republicans. with the exception OF
Senator Nelson and Senator McComss.
voted against considering the bill. These
two Senators had voted in committee to
report the bill to the Senate. and their ac-
ton to-day was consistent
announced that II it were vote on the bill
itself he would record himself against it, be-
cause he was interested through the own
ership OF stock In several Of the corpora
tions or trusts. which would be affected by
this bill and he would plead the excuse
which would provide that Senator shail
not vote upon measure IN WHICH ne Is
personally interested.
The Republicans have not at any time
concealed the fact that the Littlefeid bill
was doomed to defeat in the Senate. When
the bill was reported from committee Sen
ator Platt Of Connecticut stated that ne
regarded 1t as 81 thons ana IN SONS e is
known that his view is entertained by
many other Republican Senators.
record vote on the proposition to pass fur
ther antitrust legislation at this Congress:
Only two appropriation bills are YET 20
pass the Senate. the fortification, and the
pected with them The Senate. therefore.
finds itself with plenty Of time on us mana. nanas
and at O'Clock went into executive ses-
sion to enable Senator Morgan to present
further objections to the treaty.
ALMOST ABANDON HOPE OF
PREVENTING SPECIAL SESSION.
The Republican managers have almost
abandoned hope of being able to prevent
special session of the Senate, although the
progress made to-day may encourage re-
newed effort to secure vote on the Fan.
anna treaty before March 4. The general
belief is that the Cuban reciprocity treaty
will have to go over to a special session OF
the Senate.
There is a possibility that in the last day
or two the opposition to the Cuban reci-
procity treaty may be placated to the point
of permitting ratification Of that instru,
the length of time that Senator Morgan
will demand for the presentation Of his OBJ
jectione to the Panama treaty. the Demo-
Gratis are determined that Senator Morgan
shall have all the time he wants. come
what may. II Re should conclude to-moT-
row It is not beyond the range OF possio'i-
ity that the Cuban treaty could yet he
nassed upon and Congress adjourn with
out the menace Of a special session OF the
Senate.
The Republicans who favor statehood are
mort TO the Senate the compromise state,
hood bill which that committee has framed
in accordance with the agreement reached
among all the Republicans There is
strong opposition, however; on the part OF
tbe majority Of the Republicans to sucn
action They believe that statehood Is dead
and are not inclined to embarrass otner
business by what they think is a useless
effort to get the Democrats into line.