Evening journal., 1903-02-27
.WAG0NER Gds
BUTLEa'S SEAT
Scenes in Congress Which
Recall Days of Exciting
Fifty-hrst
FILIBUSTERERS MEET DEFEAT

Washington, Feb. 27.--Arsid scenes
which recalled the memorable and ex-
citing days of the 51st congress, when
party feeling ran fiercely and the hall
Of representatives resounded with de-
nunciation of the alleged "high-handed
methods'O OF the majority, James ]. But
Ter, of Missouri, was unseated by the
house and George c. r. Wagner was
seated in his place. The Democrats
had decided at their caucus yesterday
that If this case was called up they
would prosecute filibuster from now
until March 4, regardless of conse-
quences to legislation, and they began
the fight as soon as the gavel fell at
noon. Roll call followed roll call, and
it. took oyer three hours to approve
the journal of Wednesdays proceed
ings. Then when the decks were
cleared the case was called. A spirited
debate OF two hours followed, and
finally after repeated roll calls the
case was brought to a 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 Pennsylvania, who was in
the chair, declined to recognize a de-
mand for a division, and Mr.. Richard
son, the minority leader, stood in his
place and denounced his course in un-
measured terms, crying out that it was
"tyrannical. unheard of, unfair and un-
just The Republicans jeered but
he continued to inveigh against the
chairs action in loud tones.
When the vote on the resolution de-
claring Mr.. Wagner entitled to the
seat was taken similar scene fol
lowed. 81 did not believe the chair
would be guilty of such an action"
cried Mr.. Richardson. The handful of
Democrats were overridden rough
shod and Mr.. Wagner was seated.
The Republican leaders in deciding
to force this case to a vote did SO
with a perfect realization of the en-
barrassments which would follow if
the Democrats carried out their fill
clustering threat, and they have ar
ranged q program to reduce the minor
ity's obstructive power to a minimum
so far as appropriation bills are con-
cerned. This is to be accomplished by
a special rule which has been tenta-
lively prepared by which all the pre-
liminary parliamentary steps for get
ting appropriation bills with senate
amendments into conference can be
cut off. But later yesterday afternoon
Republicans interested in the omnibus
public building bill, threatened to vote
against the rule unless it made pro-
vision for the bill. This disturbing
factor in the situation was not
Strengthened out.
The Republican programme also in
cludes 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 then taken until today. and
rule has been prepared which here
after will give a motion to recess
precedence over a motion to adjourn.
Under the operation of these drastic
measures it is believed that none of
the appropriation bills or other neces-
sary measures will be jeopardized, but
the present situation undoubtedly
sounds the death lmell Of many minor
measures.