Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-15
FILIBUSTER IN THE SENATE
TillmSn and Bacon Object to Immsdiats
Confederation Of Immigration Bill
PROVIDES MEANS FOR EXCLUDING COOLIES
Report that Japan Favors Restric-
lions that VIII Keep LRborers
at Home-Biu VIII Come
Up Today.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14-The sudden de-
velopment of a full-hedged hlibuster re-
suited today in the senate when an at
tempt was made to force the adoption Of
the conference agreement on the immigre-
ton bill. This report carries a provision
intended to aid in the settlement Of the
California-Japanese problem and speedy
action was desired by the administration
senator's Expressing sympathy with this
object yet regarding the report with sus-
piclon on other points. Messrs. Bacon and
Tillmsn first endeavored to have action de-
layed until tomorrow, that they might
study the report. When this was refused
the ilibuster began. Mr.. Bacon held the
floor two and half hours. Mr. Tillman
said he was preparing TO make ten-day
fight on the floor against the report, be-
cause he objected to being run over as
with an automobile.
Mr.. Bacon objected that the report
changed existing law in respects which he
believed on hurried examination would de-
prive southern states from obtaining even
the meager labor supplies from abroad
which was available under the present i'm
migration laws.
Truce Until To-day.
A truce was declared until tomorrow, at
the suggestion Of Senator Spooner, when
the report will again come up for consid-
Grafton. Administration senators interested
in the adoption Of the report were alarmed
by apparent democratic hostility. All of
the democratic leaders, when questioned as
to their attitude, disclaimed the adoption
OF a party policy in regard to the report,
and the senators making the objections in
sisted that they were actuated wholly by
resentment OF what they thought was an
attempt to force immediate action. Sem
ator Blackburn, chairman of the demo-
cratic steering committee, said he felt sure
there was no disposition to hlibuster
against the report beyond carrying it over
-sntil tomorrow Senator's Bacon and TIL
man made similar statements They agreed
that the restriction of immigration pro-
vided in what is Familiarity known as the
'coolie class" is of great Importance. They
would not say what their attitude would
be. 1t was made plain however, that they
would consider the report over night and
then. II the question proved one on which
II was advisable to hold a conference, the
party will be called together tomorrow.
The session was begun with an extended
address by Senator Knox in defense Of the
right OF Reed Smoot to his seat as senator
from Utah.
The agricultural appropriation bill also
was considered.
1t became known today through infor-
nation impaired in official circles that
japan regards with favor the amend
ment which II is proposed to add to the
immigration bill now pending in congress,
and which in effect prevents the entry into
e this country of Japanese coolies. In fact,
1t is stated that the suggestion that this
be done first came from Japan. which
country never has approved of the immi-
grafton of large numbers of it's subjects to
foreign lands.
In opposing the bill Mr. Bacon said
that II was necessary that senators should
do a great injustice to another section OF
the country to protect the Pacific coast
1t is important that the Pacific coast
should be protected and that the senators
of the south ever stood ready to CO.
operate for its protection.
south Needs Labor.
Mr. Bacon then turned his attention to
the scarcity of cotton mill labor in the
south and read at length report from
the Department of Commerce and Labor
regarding the situation. which he con-
strued to indicate desire of the depart
ment 10 aid in meeting the need for labor
Mr.. Bacon said one-ifth of the spindles
in the cotton mills of North and South
Carolina and Georgia were idle because
of a scarcity Of labor.
While Mr.. Bacon was speaking Senator
Tillman marked with slips of paper GER
tain passages in a pile of books he had
on his desk. During pause by Mr.
Bacon. Mr.. Beveridge asked If he had
concluded.
"oh no." was Mr. Bacon's reply. "the
senator very much mistakes the scope OF
my remarks"
~ am just getting ready 20 talk for q
week or ten days" interJected Mr. Till
man 'when 1 get so little Justice al
the hands of senators as not TO be per.
mitted even 20 read a bill, am prepared
10 night. / object to having a matter
brought in here and run over us like ar
automobile"
SenatQT Spooner came to the relief OF
the situation at this point. saying It wal
evident that senators were at dlsadvan
tage, not having had time to read th'
report. 81 appeal to the senator" HI
said. turning TO Mr.. Dillingham;. ito le
the matter go over until tomorrow"
Mr. Dillingham;. saying he recognized
the situation. consented and the renpr
went over, two and half hours havin.
been consumed in It's consideration.
Investigation of water Resources.
Z WASHINGTON, Feb. 14-The senate to
day passed bill 20 provide for an investi