Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-05-19
Formal Vote Taken on the Measure Shortly
Before Five O'clock.
ONLY THREE VOTES IN THE NEGATIVE
These Are CAST by Senators Foraker, Nor
gan and Pettus
DEBATE LASTS SEVENTY-FNE DAYS
General Sigh of Relief Only Demonstration
That Marks End,
'5BATs LASTS SEvtNY.FWt DAYS
TELLEU'S AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED
W ords I'm Its Judgment" stricken
from Rate section on the
Motion OF Colorado
senator

WASHINGTON, May lS.-After seventy
days Of almost continuous deliberation.
the senate today at ass y. m. passed
the railroad rate bin by the practically
unanimous vote OF n to 5. The three
No gative votes were cast by Senators
Foraker republican, of Ohio. and Morgan
and Pettus, democrats, Alabama. There
was somewhat larger attendance Of sen.
ators than usual, but the attendance In
the galleries was by no means abnormal,
and there was no manifestation of any
kind when the result was announced.
There was. however, an almost general
sigh Of relief among senator's.
The bill has received more attention
from the senate and from the country
at large than any measure that has been
before congress since the repeal Of the
purchasing clause Of the Sherman act in
1893. II was reported to the senate on
February IS, and was made the unfinished
business on March L.. From March l.
to May I, the bill was under general dis-
cussion without limitation on the duration
of speeches, fifty-eight OF which wer1
delivered Many Of these were prepared
with great care, and two of them con.
sumed more than a days time in de-
livery. Senator LaFolette, the junior
senator from Wisconsin. spoke for three
days, and Senator Daniel, Virginia for
two days. Senators Bailey. Foraker.
Lodge. Rayner Dolliver and others each
spoke for one entire day
For twelve days the bill has been under
consideration under a rule limiting speeches
to fifteen minutes each. The debate has al
all times been earnest and animated. but
for the most part devoid of personality
as between senators. the last few DAYS.
however. having called out some caustic
criticisms Of the president and OF sone
newspaper correspondents by Senator
Bailey.
In addition TO passing the bill the pro
oeedings today consisted In concluding the
consideration OF the amendments as such
and the delivery Of number OF speeches
on the bill. The only amendment adopted
was the one offered yesterday by Senator
Teller eliminating the words sin it's iudg-
ment from the power given to the Inter
state Commerce commission 20 fix rates.
First speech by Daniel.
When the railroad rate bill was taken up
today the senate resumed consideration OF
the Teller amendment. striking out OF the
provision giving 10 the Interstate Com
merce commission the power to prescribe
rates the words "in its judgment"
Senator Daniel made the first speech on
tic Atlitl pIoNiHloHs tue po0AllNN
that the presence of the words. "in its
judgment" would not have the effect OF
vitiating the bill as had been contended
He declared. indeed, that neither the pres
ence nor the absence OF the words could
affect the measure.
Senator Lodge said there had not been
any understanding that would oind him
to keep the debatable words in the bill
and, an understanding or no understanding
he wanted the words stricken out
If the words remain and the law is de-
clRred unconstitutional, the people will do
clare 1t fraud and congress will be held
responsible" he said.
In reply to Mr.. Foraker. Mr.. Lodge said
he knew nothing about any agreement
Senator Foraker said also that he knew OF
no such agreement.
Allison FRvoFS Term.
Senator Long saio that Senator Allison
had stated yesterday that the retention OF
the words lin its judgment" was part
Of the amendments presented by him.
Senator Carter announced his intention
to vote against the retention of the words,
knowing that the amendment would be
dealt with in conference.
The amendment was adopted 30 70 a
as follows: