Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-01
A PARLIAMENTARY WRANGLE
Follows Collapse of Democratic Fill
buster In the Senate.

Washington, May 31-At 40 O'Clock
Saturday the Senate adopted the re-
mort of the cOnferees of the two houses
of Congress on the Northumberland
emergency bill by the decisive vote of
43 to %. and thus was taken the last
congressional step necessary toward
the enactment of emergency currency
legislation, the Legislation towards
which Congress has directed its prin-
cipal efforts since it convened last
December. The result came uncXpect-
edly soou but not largely supported,
made up intensity what it lacked in
number The obstructive tactics were
begun by Senator LaFollette, Repub-
Iican, of Wisconsin, when the report
was taken up BIZ the Senate Friday
and being prosecuted by him all night,
was continued Saturday by Senator
Stone. Democrat of Missouri, and Sen
ator Gore. Democrat, of Oklahoma.
Mr.. LaTollette broke the record as
long distance speaker. Mr.. Stone
held the loor for six hours and half
almost without interruption, and Mr.
Gore spoke for something more than
two hours.
Some CONSERVATION was created in
the Senate by the report that Senator
Jeff Davis was on his way 1" WASH
ngton and would be prepared'to assist
the flibustcr with tWo-da>'S speech,
provided the directors could hold out
until Monday morning. AS many ot
the senators had been in their seats
almost continuously since IL O'Clock
Friday, the prospect of the contin-
nation of the performance added much
to the unpleasant ASPECT of the case.
Accordingly there was general relief
when at l.30 =. NJ. suggestion for Il
recess was received from the Demo-
cratic side by the Republican leaders.
The fact soon developed after the
recess was entered upon. that the
party friends Of Mr.. tone had been
consulting among themselves and had
reached CONCLUSION that if given an
opportunity they could dissuadc him
from further persistence in his course
of obstruction, and when, after re-
Convcning at o'clock, he retired
from the floor. ii appeared as if he
had been induced to surrender perma-
ncntly. He was followed h. Mr.. Gore.
the blind senator from Oklahoma, and
that gentleman had proceeded for
about two hours, when Mr.. stone re-
turned to the Senate chamber and
created some dismay by stating that
he had determined to resume his adj
dress as soon as Mr.. Gore should con-
cude He, however. afforded the Re
publican their anXiOuSly sought OPP
portunity, when he again retired from
the chamber Il few minutes before Mr..
Gore had finished speaking ana was
absent when the suspicious moment
arrived. Some Democratic senators had
expressed the intention of speaking
briefly on the merits of the Dill, put
the holding of the subject before the
Senate for any further time held IN
such possibilities. in the way OF the
continuation of the filibuster. that they
We're persuaded to change their mlnds
and forego the intention of expressing
their views.
The end of the filibuster came with
Il suddarness that was almost startling.
When Senator Gore concluded. after
having spoken for two hours, it Wos
the opinion among those who were
not in the confidence of the leaders
that the end of the fight was still
long way off. and even the leaders
We're not certain that it was not. 1t was
generally understood that Senator
Stone would attempt to resume his
speech and that Senator LaFollette
also would make a determined fight to
regain the floor.
AS Senator Gore resumed his seat
Vice President Fairbanks promptly
stated that the question was on the
adoption of the conference report ana
that under the orders of the Senate
previously adopted a yea and nay vote
would be taken. This announcement
was made by the Vice President in
matter of fact way, but it meant that
final touch to the most important leg
islation of the session.
While the Vice President was still
speaking, Senator Heyborn Of Idaho
was on his feet demanding recogni-
ton, but the clerk had commenced to
call the roll before the Vice President
Recognized him and the point of rider
was made by Senator Gallinger that
6N004N tSRk ihterrupted,
When the vote had been. announced