New-York tribune., 1906-05-19
WILLIAMS LOSES FIGHT.
Big FiEbuster Fails to Defeat Blu
Nine Times Lost.

washington, May 1s-The journal OF the House
had hardly been approved to-day. when the Demo-
Gratis under the leadership OF Mr.. Williams OF
Mississippi began the first real fbuster in that
body in several years. their object being 70 defeat
the bill paying to the estate of Samuel Lee, Of
South Carolina. $lO4s2 for allowances made by rea-
son Of the election OF Lee. negro contestant for
a seat in the 47th Congress
This bill has been reported favorably at nine
Congresses-six times by Republicans and three
times by Democrats. The certificate OF election
which Lee contested was given to John S. Rich
ardson. The Committee Elections reported in
favor Of Lee. A vote taken on the resolution
20 give him the seat held by Richardson 124 voting
in favor of the resolution 114 against Lees con-
test went no further The Democrats began a
noted Albuster, and the 47th Congress died by
operation of law without quorum being present
To-day's ilibuster followed along similar lines.
Mr.. Williams resortng to every known parliament
ary tactics encompass the defeat OF the measure
There were numberless rollcalls and still more d-
visions demanded and taken. and the bill was
finally passed.
After several rollcalls had been lost Mr.. Will
Jams took a new tack and when rOllcan was fin
ished nearly every member Of the minority rose to
change mis- vote from yea to nay. The Speaker al
lowed the changes to go on for some time. but
finally his patience became exhausted and, with
resounding whack of the gavel he declared the
motion to adjourn lost
Finally the majority was at last face to face with
the Objectionable measure. Mr.. Miller moved the
previous question the Lee bill. Great CONFUSION
ensued when the Speaker permitted Messrs. Steen-
erson (Siinn) and Madden Qll) to be marked pres
ent after the rollcall had been completed. Mr.
Williams for the first time was seriously nettled
and after sharp dispute the Speaker ordered the
names erased Mr.. Williams followed up this slight
advantage by suggesting that the men noted as
present should also be eliminated from the roll
call
Mr.. Cannon shook his head emphatically.
Then 1 appeal from the decision OF the Chair
replied Mr.. Williams.
Mr.. Miller said that the appeal clearly dAa-
tory. which contention the Speaker sustained
This is sad commentary on the way business
Is DONE" said Mr. Williams. the Chair pounded
for order, cries Of Regular Order!' echoing
throughout the hail. The dispute went on:
Mr.. Williams-Then the Chair declines to recOg-
The Speaker-The Chair does decline
Mr.. Williams protest against this ruAinS' &hy
Mr.. Payne On. Y.)-The Chair ought TO be pro-
teCted. Tho gentleman from Mississippi lnlaSlheS
he is the whole House.
Mr.. Willams-The Chair has enough authorlty
God knows, to take of himself
Mr.. Payne-But the gentleman seems 20 Inlnk--
Mr.. Williams-No; the gentleman from MlSsis@
sippi thinks. The gentleman from New York is
the one who seems TO think
The Speaker put stop to further talk.
During a long wait while the sergeant-at-arms
was out looking for absentees, Mr.. Williams read
boom for the Presidency to be launched In
speech to be made the floor Of the House. He
wanted to know whether II wOdl1 not be in order
for the who to make the speech to prac-
tise it the House at that time.
The Speaker replied that, while il might be en-
tightening, II would hardly be business.