Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-03-05
'SUNDRY CIVIL BILL.
Tho Measure Passed by the SEN
ate After Being Amended.
AZ EXCITING TINE IN The HOUSE.
me UnseAting Of mr.. Butler. of Missouri,
and the Seating Of Mr. Wagner In
IN. His Place Caused Party Feel
ing to Run High.

Washington, Feb. 27.-The advisa.
biiity and legality Of the appoint
ment by the president Of senator's
and members on commissions formed
the subject of considerable discus
sion in the senate yesterday. The
sundry civil bill was under consider
alton and Senator Hale, having in
4 mind the amendment which was
adopted Wednesday authorizing the
appointment Of an international
monetary commission, started the
\ debate by calling attention to the
fact that the senate had reprobated
the policy Of appointment of senator's
ON commissions and on one occasion
had refused to confirm two senator's
nominated by the president for such
service. During the discussion 1t
was made clear that no reflection
was intended on Senator Lodge and
Senator Turner, who had been select
ed as members of the Alaskan boun-
dairy commission. The bill was
passed after a number of amend
ments had been added to it.
The senate went into executive
session at 1:40 p. IN. and devoted the
remainder of the day to the Panama
canal treaty. At 5:45 o'clock the doors
were reopened. Senator Hoar pre-
scented the conference report on the
bill to protect the president and it
went over until to-day. The senate
ct 5:55 p. m. adjourned.
Amid scenes which recalled the
memorable and exciting days Of the
Fifty-frst congress, when party feel
ing ran fiercely and the hall Of rep
resentatives resounded with denun-
Citations of the alleged "high handed
methods of the majority" James ].
Butler, Of Missouri, was unseated
yesterday by the house and George
c. Z. Wagner was seated in his
place. The democrats had decided at
their caucus yesterday morning that
II this case was called up they would
prosecute filibuster from now until
March A, regardless Of consequences
upon legislation, and they began the
fight as soon as the gavel fell at
noon. Roll call followed roll call and
Il took over three hours to approve
the journal Of Wednesdays proceed
ings. Then when the decks were
cleared, the case was called. A spirit
ed debate of two hours followed and
finally, after repeated roll calls, the
case was brought to vote. The
democrats then attempted to block
things by leaving the hall, but
enough absentees finally were
brought in to make up the necessary
quorum. The closing chapter was
dramatic. Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylva-
mia, who was in the chair, refused to
recognize demand for division, and
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader,
stood in his place and denounced his
course in unmeasured terms amid
the jeers of the republican side. The
handful of democrats present were
oyerridden roughshod and Mr.. Wag-
oner was seated.
The republican leaders in deciding
to force this case to vote did so
With q perfect realization of the em-
barrassments which would follow IL
the democrats carried out their fill
clustering threat, and they have ar
ranged programme to reduce the
minorlty's obstructive power to a
minimum as far as the appropriation
bills are concerned. This is to be
accomplished by special rule which
has been tentatively prepared by
which oil the preliminary steps for
getting appropriation bills with SEN
ate amendments into conference can
be cut of. But later In the after
noon republicans interested in the
omnibus public building bill threat
ened to vote against the rule unless
Il made provision for the bill. This
disturbing factor In the situation was
mot Strengthened out at night.
The republican programme also
includes a proposition to continue the
Legislative day Of yesterday until
noon, March 4 in order TO obviate the
long and tedious work Of approving
the Journal against fiilibustering
tactics. A recess was taken last
night until II o'clock to-day and
rule has been prepared which here.
after win give q motion to recess
precedence over a motion to adj
5ourn. Under the operation of these
drastic measures II is believed that
none Of the appropriation bills or
ether necessary measures win be
1eopardized, but the present situa.
tion undoubtedly sounds the death