Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-03
THE SENATE BLOCKED
SENATOR BACON BEGINS ARGU-
MENT ON CONFERENCE REPORT.
Republican Senators Accept the Situa-
ton and Outline Plan
Of Action.

It became apparent at noon today that
no further business could be done In the
Senate beyond the passage Of appropriation
bills.
When the conference report on the bill
to protect the life of the President was
brought in Senator Bacon began an ex-
tended argument against the measure that
had been agreed to by the conferees he
claimed that it was wholly different from
anything that had been considered IN
either the Senate or the House Of Representa-
tives, and that, therefore, 1t did not come
within the scope of measures that are
given precedence when presented IN the
form OF conference reports. Such reports
he said, were regarded as being entitled TO
special privilege because they represented
in a general way the sentiment or the Two
houses and because there had been 1uli
discussion Of their salient features. AS
this was not such a bill in the form IN
which it was reported he regarded 1t as not
entitled to that special privilege
Jyp to the time Mr.. Bacon arose 1t was
expected on both the republican ana demo-
cratic sides that this report Wouid pe
agreed to. There was clear republican
majority in favor of the bill, and 1T was
thought that the democratic side Wou a
not care to be responsible for It's falure'
even if they did not approve It,
But as Mr. Bacon proceeded republican
senator's got together and exchanged opln.
ions in regard to the new situation tnat
had been created. 1t was understood at
that time that not only would Mr: Bacon
speak at some length, but also tnat MI.
Teller, Mr.. Carmack and others were
ready to follow him in criticism OF the bil
to protect the President in the form IN
which it was reported by the conferees.
Program Outlined.
Republican senators were not long in ac-
cepting this situation as notice 10 them
that legislation had come to standstili
for this Congress. They agreed that they
would accept the notice, and proceeded to
outline a plan to be carried out this after
noon. ending in an adjournment at or
o'clock until tomorrow morning at o'clock.
IT was decided that Senator Lodge should
call up the Philippine tariff bill. make a
statement in regard to the Importance OF
It's passage and endeavor to secure consent
for action. 1t was well known that the
democratic side would not for an instant
permit the passage of the Philippine Dill,
as Mr.. Patterson (Col) and others were
known to be extremely hostile to It's pro.
visions for lowering the rates on sugar ana
tobacco. Mr. Patterson was prepared with
an extended speech, which he was ready TO
make at any time, to show that the sugar
industry of the Philippines can thrive With
out any concession in the matter OF tarH
imposed upon sugar coming into this coun-
try, He had an extended argument ana
vast array Of figures and authorities TO
quote to sustain this contention Other SEN
ators were ready not only to proceed In the
same way in relation to the sugar schedule,
but also to show that the tobacco industry
of the Philippines does not need concessions
in tariff rates from this country, but tnat
on the other hand both the sugar and to-
bacco industries of the United States would
ultimately be greatly damaged by the re-
moval Of the tariff.
Statements to Be Made.
While republican senators were entirely
ready to meet these arguments, 1t was rec
ognized that no extended debate could be
entered upon with any hope Of successful
termination at this late hour. So it was
ohat Mr.. Lodge determined to prepare him
self for a statement and to make an effort
to get the bill up, abandoning this effort as
soon as the democratic opposition made
itself manifest to such an extent as to give
practical proof that nothing further could
be accomplished.
1t was also determined that Senator Aid
rich should make a statement in relation to
his banking bill, and that Senator Platt
and others would do the same, in order to
withdraw from the contest in an orderly
way.
The republicans being convinced that
nothing could be done between the giving
Oh tnlS notice OIL the ueIHOcTdtS ana IOInOr-
row except to talk, determined to take a
recess at or o'clock until 0 o'clock in
the morning
The fate of the Aldrich bill was sealed at
midnight last night when after four hours
of fiibustering on the part of some demo-
cratic senators Senator Aldrich at that hour
gave up the fight and moved an adjourn
ment of the Senate. Today -e found no
diminution of opposition to his bill, and
during the afternoon publicly announced
that he would not hold it before the Senate
to the exclusion of other important business
He would ask the Senate, however to near
him in statement on the merits of the
bill.