New-York tribune., 1908-05-18
FUN WITH JEFF DATIS.
arkansas Senator Butt of Mr.
JohnstOn's Practical Joke.
rFrom The Tribune eureau.l

| tFrom The Tribune Bureau.l
Washington, May 17.-Jeff Davis, junior SEN
| ator from Arkansas, is being quietly but ef-
| fectually hazed by his colleagues, and. being ut
| terly devoid of humor has not yet realized the
fact When the Arkansan returned recently
from his state he inquired of Senator Johnston.
of Alabama, the status of his measure providing
for the annihilatfon Of trusts combines etc.
Dead, under Rule IT, was Mr.. Johnston's la
comic reply
What is Rule 1!?' demanded Mr.. Davis.
'Oh. it's rule these old Senators have adopt
ed to keep young fellows from attaining any
prominence in the Senate" replied Mr.. John
ston. 1T provides that whenever any measure
introduced by a Senator who has served less
than one full term shall lie on the table or in
committee, for thirty days without action there
on, 1t shall thereby be regarded as dead and
may not be again considered at that session.
Why that's a blank outraged! exclaimed
Davis. 4 have been down in Arkansas attend
ing to political business, and the thirty days
have expired. Now, If 1 don't get some action
it will go hard with me in my state"
You might apply to Clark. chairman of Ju-
dietary" said Mr. Johnston. He might get
unanimous consent to waive the rule. That's
what they do for their favorites
I'm afraid 1 have chance. I've scored
them. so don't believe I'm favorte' replied
the distressed Arkansan, but I'll try
Mr. Johnston, who is statesman of serious
countenance and grave demeanc:, hastened to
Senator Clark, chairman of Judiciary, and post
ed him to the purport of Rule II. At the
next meeting of the Judiciary Committee, Mr..
Davis appeared and inquired the fate of his bill.
Dead, under Rule H." replied Senator Clark.
But L must get il up" excftedy exclaimed
the Arkansas wonder. ~ have just got to get
action that hill will eepd me
to the Senate again. Every Hill-be has set
his heart on the pass ge of that bill
You might move to discharge the committee
and get the Senate to take it up" gravely sug- |
gested the chairman of judiciary.
But 1 don't want to make the members Of |
the committee mad and get them all down on |
me-" replied Davis.
Don't worry about that said Mr.. Clark |
No member of the committee will resent it if !
you first explain the exigencies of the situation |
and the demands of the Hill billies'"
For several dayssDavis was busy explaining
TO the members Of the Judiciary Committee the
situation in Arkansas and the necessity for his
notion TO discharge them, which he appeared to
hink would in some inscrutable way affect the
salaries of Senators so discharged Having
made his explanations and met with no opposi-
ion. Mr.. Davis made the proposed motion and
supported it with his recent explosion in the |
senate. OF course no vote was reached on the
notion, but Davis is devoutely thankful that his |
Measure has at least escaped the clutches of
Rule II.
Only yesterday Davis approached Senator
johnston.
Johnston" he said, do you know they don't
rint that damnable Rule II? 1 have searched
he Senate rules and can't find a trace of it In
act, there are only sixteen rules printed in the
manual"
Precisely, precisely" replied Mr. Johnston.
Ihats all done with a purpose. It's a per-
lclous plan Of Aldrich's. They don't print |
'ule IL so as 20 catch US young fellows un- |
ware and they catch most of US"
Wei, it's outrageous" replied the Arkansan |
but you may count on it will never be caught
gain shall make speech on every measure
introduce at least once in thirty days So thew |
ant say there has been no action on NV hills |
leanti1ne, 1 want You to write down that rule
II me so l can learn it by heart II 7 don't
now all its provisions 1 may get caught bv if
nyway."
II MT Davis carries out his purpose and '
'eak7 on every measure he has introduced a+ 7
asst once in thirty days the fate of the Alabama
ker at the hands Of the elder statesmen" will /
altogether too horrible for other than Davis T
msef to describe. Meanwhile, he is still bunt-
g for Rule II