The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-03
FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS
WHY DEMOCRATS ARE WORKING
THEIR FILIBUSTER.
NOT DOING 1T FOR REVENGE
BUT BECAUSE THEY WANT THEIR
RIGHTS RESPECTED.

1t is Long, Weary Struggle to Get
Measure Passed in the House.
Democrats Cling to Their Tactics.
Oppose Every Bill Brought Up and
Insist Upon Roll Calls - Demo-
Gratis, Williams Said, VIII Follow
the same Course in the Next Con-
gress Under Like PrOvOcatiOn.
Washington, March From II
o'clock this morning until late tonight
the House struggled laboriously
against the Democratic filibuster
working steadily to wind up the nee
essary business of the session. Des-
pite another special rule adopted ear
ly in the day, legislation proceeded at
snairs pace. Roll call followed roll
call on every proposition. The voices
of the reading clerks were worn out
by the ceaseless calling of the roll, and
several clerks from committees were
drafted to help out. Since Thursday
last, when the filibuster was inaugu-
rated, there have been over sixty roll
calls as against fifty-seven for the en-
tire long session lasting from Dec. 1,
1901. to July 8, 1902.
The members also show the effects
of the heavy strain, but they are stick
ing to their posts. Tonight the great
hall presented a disheveled appear
ance The floor was strewn with bits
of paper. looking as if a snow storm
had swept through the hall. In the
galleries among the spectators were
many weary watchers interested in
bills doomed to failure, but still hoping
on to the end.
The proceedings were enlivened sew
eral times as the leaders of the re-
spective sides crossed swords. Their
tempers had not been sweetened by
their long vigil, and frequently the
sparks flew.
Leaders Crossed Swords.
The presentation of the rule to cut
off filibust ering, which adopts the
same methods of sending to conference
general bills with Senate amendments
which has been pursued with refer
ence to appropriation bills, thus cut
ting off several roll calls and cutting
out the demand for the previous ques-
ton on conference reports, was the
occasion of a lively debate.
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi protested
against the course of the Republican
partisan press in attributing the action
of the minority in the House to re-
venge against the unseating of Mr..
Butler. He said the country should
know that the situation was broader
than that. The Democratic minority
was not acting in retaliation; it was
teaching the Republicans that its
rights must be respected. If reason
able time had been given to discuss
and present that contested election
case, the Democrats would not have
been under the necessity of pursuing
their present course. Every constitu
tional and parliamentary privilege,
Mr.. Williams said, would be employed
to drive home the Democratic protest.
and if in the Fifty-eighth Congress an
attempt was made to deprive a Demo-
crat elected by 5000 majority of his
seat, the same tactics would be pur-
sued.
Accomplished Very Little.
The conference reports on the Alas
kan homestead bill and the immigra-
ton bill were adopted The omnibus
public building bill and the general
deficiency appropriation bill were sent
to conference. The Often bill to pro-
hibit tobacco dealers from giving
prizes, the bill to provide for a dele
gate from Porto Rico, a bill to advance
-'AIJs W. - 0OiEdB W AllC ldilh VI as
sistant surgeon general, and a bill for
the relief of Lieut. b. f. Hanforth were
passed. That was the net result of the
session up to 3 o'clock tonight.
Mr. Grosvenor compared the present
situation with that when the Demo-
Gratis In the Ffty-third Congress
brought in a rule 20 concur IN the six
hundred Senate amendments % the
Wilson tariff BILL lin gross" The
pretext OF the Democrats for their