Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-04
SCENES IN THE SENATE.
Filibuster Against the Ship Subsidy

Never before has the Senate appeared to
relish so much an attempt to kill legisla-
ton by filibustering methods as 1t did yes
terday. Mr.. Carmack, as the director of
the minority movement against the bill,
kept the members convulsed with his sal
lies and at no time did he try to hide the
fact that his effort was a filibuster pure
and simple He scorned subterfuge, and at
the outset of his remarks came into the
open by addressing himself principally to
the term "Filibusters,' which Mr.. Gallinger
Saturday applied to the democratic SEN
ators who have undertaken 10 de1eat the
measure.
First, Mr. Carmack devoted himself to an
Endorsement of Webster's Dictionary. as an
authority on photography and definition,
and said that if the Senate had any doubt
that this work was an authority he would
bring it in and ask that passages from 1t
be read at the desk.
After reading Webster's definition OF
''flibusterr with it's varying uses and
synonyms, Mr.. Carmack said that the re-
mark of Mr.. Gallinger had branded him as
"a marauder, pillager, buccaneer,
sea robber. a freebooter, and pirate upon
the seas" in fact, he said, Il have been
accused of almost everything except ap-
pendicitis. So branded. am to be retired
from this body and sent to my home, for
character or the credibility of the senator
from New Hampshire. ] cannot discred1t
him truthfully, and. therefore, l cannot
Giscl edit him at ALL"
When he had spoken for about forty-five
minutes. with the obvious purpose Of kill
ing time Mr.. Carmack paused, looked at his
watch, and remarked:
well. l see l must be hurrying along"
At this the senators on the floor shouted
their amusement
Mr.. Dubois Helps.
To give Mr. Carmack rest, Mr.. Dubois
asked to be permitted to read from a very
interesting document on the subject Of ship
subsidy and Mr.. Spooner protested that as
Mr.. Carmack was In so great hurry to
close it would not be fair to interrupt him.
The Tennessee senator, however, said he
was sure that any contribution from Mr..
Dubois would be valuable, and he should be
glad to permit it to be read and incorp-
porated in the body of his remarks.
Mr.. Dubois then read at length. When he
had finished a very-technical paragraph, to
which few senators paid any attention, Mr..
Carmack asked that the last paragraph be
repeated. as he regarded 1t of great impor-
lance.
Laughter followed. and as Mr.. Dubois sat
down Mr. Gallinger interrupted to reply, he
said. to what he thought had been an I'M
warranted attack upon him.
At this juncture a colioquy occurred be-
tween Mr.. Gallinger and Mr.. Carmack over
the definition of the word 'filibuster," as
given by different dictionaries. Mr.. Gal
linger charged that Mr. Carmack had
simply been trying to "flibuster according
to his own definition of the word
Charging that the pending measure was
for the purpose of footing the treasury"
Mr.. Carmack referred to the bill as voting
"subvention." and Mr.. McLaurin asked
the difference between subsidy and sub
vention-" Mr.. Carmack answered.:
Subsidy by any other name smells as
bad"
Mr.. Carter added to the spirit of levity by
interrupting the reading of letters from
shipbuilders by Mr.. Overman, who was civ
ing Mr.. Carmack a respite
II want to know said Mr.. Carter,
what, IL any, dictionary is used in Ten
nessee, and what If any standard of SPELL
ing exists and IL 1t is uniformly applied
This gave Mr.. Carmack an opening which
he took advantage of to taunt Senators Car
ter and Gallinger with being parties to a
filibuster.
observing that my question embarrassed
the senator, interjected Mr.. Carter, "inas-
much as he probably is not willing to admit
that the dictionary is unknown in that
state. I will withdraw the question:
If the senator wants direct answer"
the Constitution and Webster's Dictionary"
Rebuked by Senator Frye.
Just as Senator Tillman had produced a
burst of laughter, during the discussion of
the amount of steel In ship. by asking
how much steal there was in ship subsidy,
Senator Frye of Maine took occasion to re-
Duke the whole proceeding as unseemly and
undignified. For the Senate to hold ses-
sion on the Sabbath day, he remarked, for
the sole purpose of frivolous debate for
the amusement of the galleries was about
the most unseemly proceeding he had ever
witnessed. While he spoke, Mr. Frye turn
ed so as to face Senator Carmack, who
was seated. He at once arose and replied.
ar ~