The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-15
THE DAY In CONGRESS
IN THE SENATE.

washington, FEBRUARY l4,-lhe suuueh
development of full fedged tilibuster
resulted today in the Senate when an at
tempt was made to force the adoption OF
the conference agreement on the immi-
grafton bill. This report carries pro-
vision intended to aid in the settlement
of the Acknowledgements problem and
speedy action was desired by administra-
ton senator's.
Expressing sympathy with this object,
yet regarding the report with suspicion
on its points, Senators Bacon and Till
man first endeavored to have action de-
layed until tomorrow that they might
study the report. When this was re-
fused the filibuster began.
Mr.. Bacon held the floor for two and
half hours. Mr.. Tillman remarked that
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
deprive southern states from obtaining
even the meagre labor supply from
abroad which was available under the
present immigration laws. truce was
declared until tomorrow at the sugges-
ton of Senator Spooner, when the report
will again come up for consideration.
Administration senators interested in
the adoption of the report were alarmed
by apparent democratic hostility.
All of the democratic leaders questioned
as to their attitude disclaimed the adop-
ton of party policy in regard to the
report and the senators making the OBJ
.4.. 81
wholly by resentment of what they
thought was an attempt to force imme-
diate action They said that their state
ments that they had not had an oppor-
tunity to examine the report was sin
cere, and that there were no Interior
motives involved
Senator Blackburn, chairman of the
democratic steering committee, was in
the Brownsville hearing when the report
was called up He said there had been no
discussion of the report and that he felt
sure that there was no disposition to fill
buster against 1t beyond carrying it over
until tomorrow
Senators Bacon and Tillman made SIM
liar statements. They agreed that the
restriction of immigration provided in
what is Familiarity known as the Jap
anese coolie clause Is of great impor-
lance. They would not say what their
attitude would be, nor whether they
favored a party conference concerning 1t.
1t was made plain, however. that they
would consider the report over night,
and then If the question proved to be
one on which 1t was advisable TO hold
a conference the party will be called to-
gether tomorrow morning
The session was begun with an ex-
tended address by Senator Knox In de-
Tense OF the right of Reed Smoot to his
seat as senator from Utah. The agri-
cultural appropriation bill was taken up
for consideration.
Difficulty arose over an increase to the
salary or the chief of the forestry bu-
reau. Senator Hale facetiously observed
the towering Importance" of the agri
cultural department in comparison with
the other departments Of the government,
and called attention to the $500 salary
Of the assistant secretary, saying it was
proposed in the bill to increase that of
the chiefs of the several bureaus to 5000.
A running debate followed without ac-
ton and the Senate adjourned.