The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-18
STATEHOOD BILL
MEETS A DELAY
Request for Conference Goes
Over to Monday.
AN UNUSUAL PROCEEDING
Mr.. Germans Objection Leads to De-
bate That Is Technical But
Animated.

The Statehood bill came before the
Senate this afternoon on the receipt
OF message from the House asking
for the appointment of conferees.
This was Immediately followed by the
motion of Chairman Beveridge of the
Committee on Territories that the re-
quest of the House be granted and con-
ferees appointed.
Mr.. German asked that the whole mat
ter go over for a day. This surprised
a number of Senators, as it is customary
to grant promptly any request of the
House for a conference
a long debate followed, participated in
by Senators German, Spooner. Teller,
Lodge. and Foraker After some sharp
comments the Senate agreed to Mr.. For
aker's request for unanimous consent
that Mr.. Beveridge's motion go over tn
Monday for action.
How Question Came Up.
The debate began when Mr.. German
asked the Chair to cite the rule ;.nder
which consideration Of request for
conference is privileged on the day on
which 1t is received.
Mr.. Lodge arose to reply, and urged,
in opposition, that such a determination
might have a tendency to prevent final
action on a very important matter He
did not think the Maryland Senator
should object to "a question coming
from the House. which must be ques-
tion Of high privilege
Mr., German replied. saying he knew
the joint rule did not cover this case
Mr.. Spooner argued that If Mr. Cor
mans contention be correct 1t would be
in the last days of the session, impor-
tant legislation by obJecting to the ap-
pointment Of conferees.
Mr.. Teller was recognized when he
t1faFrInfad inc lr-'c.
quest to the Chair that better order be
preserved in the chamber, as Senators
could not hear anything.
Teller Crows Caustic.
That's the normal condition OF the
Senate nobody can hear" declared MI
Teller.
Continuing, he said Mr.. Spooners cita-
ton of a possible case did not change
the facts. Every Senator should have
the chance to speak. if he so desired It
was not a matter of discourtesy to the
House. Both the Senate and House had
repeatedly acted on this line.
I'VE have right. declared Mr.
Teller. and so far as / am concerned
am going to insist upon Ii. TO discuss
this matter"
Mr.. German called attention to rule
Z on the order in which the presiding
officer shall call for business.
Mr.. Lodge suggested the reading of the
first paragraph of rule Is in connection
with the rule quoted. 1t relates to the
receiving Of communications from the
President or House
Clause of rule Z was suggested by
President pro TEN. Frye, that 1t shall
be IN the power of the presiding officer
TO lay before the Senate for action
without debate any matter received
from the House.
Many Senators seemed to regard this
as conclusive, but Mr.. German raised
the point that no new matter whatever
shall be considered on it's first day with
out unanimous consent.
Lodge Gives Views.
Mr. Lodge argued that the reception
of business under rule Is covered the
point. as did also the matter quoted by
the Chair. He thought the idea of one
objection preventing action was unten-
able
CIT seems TO me Just as clear that