The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-19
HOUSE PRESENTS
A LIVELY SCENE
Williams Leads a Strenuous
FiIibuSter
THE SAMUEL LEE CLAIM
Bill Finally Passes Granting an Allow
ance of s1o,4s2 to Lee, Negro,
Elected to the Forty
seventh Congress.
THE SAMUEL LEE CLAIM

Washington, May 1s.-Reminscent of
the stressfu days of the forty-seventh
Congress were the scenes In and about
the House today.
Hardly had the journal of the House
been approved when the democrats under
the leadership of Mr.. Williams of Mis-
ssslppi, began the first real flibuster in
that body in a number of years, their OBJ
jeet being to defeat the bill paying TO
the estate of Samuel Lee of South Caro-
lima $40, 4S2 for allowances made by reason
of the election of Lee, negro contestant
for a seat in the Forty-seventh Congress
This bill had been reported favorably at
nine congresses, six times by republicans
and three times by democrats. The certi-
ficate of election which Lee contested was
given to John S. Richardson. The COM
mittee on elections reported in favor OF
Lee. A vote was taken on the resolution
to give him the seat held by Richardson,
124 voting in favor of the resolution and
ia against Lees contest progressed no
further The democrats began noted nj
buster and the Forty-seventh Congress
decided by operation of law without
quorum being present
Todays filibuster followed about silimar
lines, Mr.. williams resorting to the well
known parliamentary tactics TO encompass
the defeat of the measure.
There were numerous roll calls and still
more divisions demanded and taken, put
the bill was finally passed.
On one motion to adjourn the ayes were
81, nays $50.
Mr. Williams took n new tack when
the roll call was finished, nearly every
member of the minority rising to change
his vote from yea to nay. The speaker
allowed the changes to go on for some
time, but finally his patience became ex-
hausted. and he declared the motion TO
adjourn lost.
Finally the minority was at last face to
face with the Objectionable measure.
Previous Question.
Mr.. Miller of Kansas moved the previous
question on the Lee bill. Mr.. Williams
made the point of consideration which the
speaker declared clearly dilatory, and d.
rected that the roll be called
Mr. Williams "Wel that is the most re-
markable statement | ever heard the
speaker make"
Great confusion ensued when the speak
er permitted Messrs. Stevenson of Mime
sofa and Madden of Illinois to be marked
present, after the roll call had been COM
pleted Mr.. Williams for the first time
was seriously nettled. His voice rang out
like a bugle blast when he asked under
what rule such a proceeding was permit
ted.
The speaker had the rules read regard
ing the calling of the roll. and the manner
In which a quorum was to be secured. Mr..
Williams moving down the center OF the
house, insisted that there had been no or
der TO close the doors, and that the rules
read at the desk did not fit the case. lie
called attention to what he said was the
improper manner in which Messrs. Steen-
erson and Madden had been permitted TO
vote and declared it was most unusual.
Erase the names of the gentlemen,
commanded the speaker with considerable
vehemence
Mr.. williams then followed this slight
advantage by suggesting that the gentle
men noted as present should also be
eliminated from the roll call
Appeals From Chair.
Speaker Cannon shook his head en-
phatcally,
"Then | appeal from the decision of the
chair" replied Mr. Williams.
Mr. Miller of Kansas stated the APP
peal was clearly dilatory, which eonten-
ton the speaker sustained.
This is a sad commentary on the way
business is done,' said Mr.. Williams as
the chair pounded for order, cries of reg
uar order" echoing throughout the hall.
Mr. williams: "rhen the chair declines
to recognize my appeal?"
The speaker; THE chair does decline
Mr. williams; 81 protest against this
ruling. My motion is clearly in order"
Mr. pa yua of New York. 1.-THE chair
ought to be protected. The gentleman