Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-02-27
HOUSE AND SENATE.
Legality of Appointment OF
Members on Commission by
President Discussed.
VERY WARM TIME IN THE HOUSE

Butler, of Missouri, unseated and
Wagner Takes His Place-Journal
Proceedings Approved After Three
Hours and Case Brought to Vote.
Washington, Feb. 27.-The advisa-
bility and legality of the appointment
by the president of senators and mem
bers on commissions formed the sub
jeet of considerable discussion in the
senate yesterday. The sundry civil
bill was under consideration and Mr..
Hale, having in mind the amendment
which was adopted Wednesday, auth
orizing the appointment of an inter-
national monetary commission, started
the debate by calling attention to the
fact that the senate had reprobated
the policy of appointment eff senators
on commissions and on one occasion
had refused to confirm two senators
nominated py the president for such
service. During the discussion it was
made clear that no reflection was In
tended on Mr.. Lodge and Mr.. Turner,
who have been selected as members
of the Alaskan boundary commission.
The bill was passed after a number
OF amendments had been added to it.
The senate went into executive SEES
sion at 40 p. m. and devoted the re-
mainder Of the day to the Panama
canal treaty.
At 5.45 o'clock the doors were re-
opened. Mr.. Hoar presented the con-
ference report on the bill to protect
the president and it went over until
today.
The senate at 5:55 p. m. adjourned.
In the House.
Amid scenes which recalled the
memorable and exciting days of the
51st congress, when party feeling ran
f1ercely and the hall of representatives
resounded with denunciation of the
alleged "high-handed methods of the
majority, James ]. Butler, of Missouri,
was unseated yesterday by the house
and George c. r. Wagner was seated
if his place. The Democrats had de-
cided at their caucus yesterday morn
ing that if this case was called up
they would prosecute a filibuster from
now until March 4, regardless of con-
sequences to legislation, and they be-
gan the fight as soon as the gavel fell
at noon. Roll-call followed roll-call,
and it took over three hours to ap-
prove the journal of Wednesday,
proceedings 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 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. MI
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 amid the jeers of the
Republican side. The handful of
Democrats present 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 program to reduce the mi
norities' obstructive power to mini
mum so far as appropriation bills are
concerned. This is to be accom-
plished by a special rule which has
been tentatively prepared by which
all the preliminary parliamentary
steps for getting appropriations bills
with senate amendments into confer
ence can be cut off. But later yester-
day afternoon Republicans interested
in the omnibus public building bill
threatened to vote against the rule
unless it made provision for the bill.
This disturbing factor in the situation
was not Strengthened out last night
no hSpupiCdH program also III
cludes a proposition to continue the
legislative day of yesterday until noon,
March A, in order to obviate the long
and tedious work of approving the
journal against filibustering tactics
A recess was taken last night until II
O'Clock today and a rule has been pre-
pared which hereafter will give mo-
ton to recess precedence over a mo-
tion to adjourn. Under the opera,
ton of these measures it is believed
that none of the appropriation bills
or other necessary measures will be
'eopardized. But the present situa
ton undoubtedly sounds the death
knell of many minor measures.