Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-30

Washington, May 29-When the
Senate convened today and undertook
to enter upon the consideration of the
conference report on the currency
bill there was evidence of DISPOSE
ton to obstruct consideration. Gull
berson threw himself into the breach
when the Vice President undertook to
Put the question as to whether the
conference report should be adopted,
frequent demands for a quorum were
made ana LaFollette was busy look
ing for Stone of Missouri, who had
just arrived after a hasty summons
from his home, declaring that in the
Missouri senator lay the only hope of
a filibuster.
Immediately after the Senate met,
Aldrich moved to dispense with the
reading of the journal and then agreed
to a motion by Depew to take up the
government employees liability bill,
but McLaurin insisted that it be con-
sidered after the conference report of
disposed of.
Aldrich seemed to be willing to have
some other business disposed Of be-
fore taking up the currency measure
and Beverage of Indiana attempted
to obtain an agreement to vote on the
bin for the publicity of campaign con-
trihutions. Beveridge referred to the
failure of the committee on privileges
and elections to report the resolution
and in so doing called out a sharp re-
buke from Burrows chairman of that
committee.
When ultimately the currency report
was taken up and Vice President Fair
banks called for the ayes and nays on
the adoption of the report, there was
a chorus of affirmative votes from the
Republican side of the chamber, but
before the noes could be called for
Cuiberson was on his feet to discuss
the report.
The Texas senator declared that the
bill was in the interest of the gam
bling interests of the country to such
a great extent chat the usual sub
terfuge of the general welfare has not
been suggested"
Culberson then launched into a po-
litical speech on the expenditures Of
the government during the admins
tration of President Roosevelt, which
he said was fortunately drawing to a
close.
An exodus from the chamber having
been in progress from the time the re-
port was taken up, LaFonette inter-
rupted to say that a quorum was not
present.
Culberson had only begun his state
ment Of government expenditures at
ter As senators had come in in re-
Spouse to a roll call, when they grad
ually disappeared from the chamber
and LaFollette, looking about keenly.
again called attention to the absence
of a quorum and although the sena-
tor from Texas appealed to him not
to insist OH another roll call. he de-
cIared that he would have to bring in
the Senate membership and the Sec
o,id call proceeded. 1t brought in 81
senators.
Mr.. Culberson resumed, but had not
long proceeded when LaFollettc again
rose. but meeting refusal to yield TOT
an interruption he persisted.
II call attention to the absence OF
quorum" he said.
1.-The senator declines to yield, stat
ed the Vice President.
The senator from Wisconsin reached
for the Senate annual and after study
ing it arose to make a point of order,
suggesting that under a rulet or the
Senate it was mandatory on the part
of the presiding officer to call the roll
whenever the absence of quorum
should be suggested, regardless OF the
fact that another senator had the
floor.
Being ovcrruled Mr.. LaFollette APP
realed from the decision Of the Chair
and proceeded at length to assaii the
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