The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-05-30
LA TOILETTE
CONDUCTING
A FILIBUSTER
Wisconsin Senator Trying to
Talk the Currency Bill
to Death.
GORE AND STONE SHOW
SYMPATHY WITH HIM
WEATHER OPPRESSIVE AT CAP
ITAL AND EVERYBODY ANx-
IOUS TO GET AWAY.

Washington, May 29.-It has been a
long time since the senate has boon
tied up by filibuster with such slen-
der support as was in evidence today
when Senator La Toilette undertook to
defeat the conference report on the AL
dTich-Vreeland bill by talking it to
death. The report was brought up
shortly after I o'clock, and Mr.. La Fol-
lette took the floor. He insisted that
a quorum should be maintained at 9ll
times, and up TO o'clock he had de-
manded twenty roll calls. The house
was able 10 obtain more or less TelaXa-H
'riOn and at the same time keep the
supporters of the bill in their seats.
The heat was excessive, and many
were very restless under this restraint.
It soon became evident that the RCpUb-
licans would have difficulty in main
tanning the presence of a majority, and
ii was Just as apparent that proceed
ings would be suspended whenever the
necessary fOrty-seven senators were not
present.
III but Game.
Mr.. La Toilette complained of his re-
cent Illness and. during much of the
day, leaned strongly upon the arm Of
his chair, half-sitting as he talked. He
engaged Mr.. Aldrich in a cOllOqUy con-
corning the provisions of the currency
bill. and later. declaring that the chair
man of the finance committee had not
been frank in his replies. he was
called to order and only after a vote of
the senate had restored him to his right
on the floor did he continue his re-
marks. All senator's except Mr.. For
aker voted 10 permit him to continue.
nFF.r n.rIinad ~ Afdrirb
Shortly before o'clock Mr. La Fol-
lette inquired whether a proposition
would be agreed to TO strike out rail-
road bonds and stocks from the list of
securities contemplated in the confer
enee agreement but Mr.. AldFieh
promptly declined the offer. saying the
adoption Of the report was the only
question before the senate and adding.
that so far as ne was concerned, he had
neither power nor disposition TO make
The concession suggested. Mr.. Aldrich
declared that the report would remain
before the senate until March 4. 1909, if
necessary.
The Wisconsin senator with his usual
frmness. declared that he would con-
tinue his opposition since that was the
only course presented to him.
Many Rollealls.
The twenty-first call TO ascertain
whether there was a quorum present
was made by Mr.. Gore at 6:45 p. IN. He
consulted with Mr.. Stone just previous
20 raising the point of no quorum,
which suggested that these senators
were actually in sympathy with the
Wisconsin senator. MessTs. Gore and
Stone left the chamber during the roll
call and did not respond to their names.
Mr.. La Toilette threatened during the
day TO keep the senate in session three
weeks, but the support he will get in
order to continue his tactics at the end
of his physical endurance is yet to be
seen. 1t is understood that SeEA tor
Stone. who is opposed to the bill, will
give active support to the flibuSter
and Senator Gore manifested some
sympathy at times today by noting the
absence Of a quorum. AS a body, how
ever, the Democrats are positively Op-
posed 10 obstruction TO the Republi-
cans.
Absence of Quorum.
On the twenty-third roll call at 7:l5.
=. m. upon motion Of Mr.. Stone, the
absence Of a quorum was developed
and the Sergeant-at-arms was directed
70 bring in absentees. After several
minutes the requisite number OF SEN
atOrs answered, but nevertheless the
bIurI 10 the sergeant al arms was all
lowed 10 stand. When Mr.. La Toilette
was recognized to resume his speech,
he said;
Il have been informed that there is
TO be a,rule sprung on me that a SEN
atOr cannot speak more than twice on
a subject in a legislative day. 1 would
like TO know whether if ] should yield
the floor L could get it again"
Several senators COncurrcd in the
statement that Mr.. La Toilette PROP
ably had placed the right construction
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