The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-30
OTHER FTLIBUsTERs.


OTHER FTLIBUSTERS.
Previous Record for Long Speeches
Held by Allen OF Nebraska.
Washington, May 30.-Whatever
tor La Toilette in his filibuster in the
senate against the adoption of the
conference report on the currency bill
he has gained championship. At
1903 o'clock this Saturday morning
he yielded the floor to MI. Stone
(Mo.) after having spoken almost
continuously for Is hours and 43 min
utes, and his voice seemed to be al
most as fresh as when he began. If
Senators Stone and Gore, the latter
being accredited with willingness to
assist in the flibuster, can do as well,
the fIibuster is far from an end. This
is not taking into the calculation the
now apparently erroneous report that
Senator jeff Davis was to take a
hand. The Republican leaders ap-
parently have no programme other
than to try to wear out the filibusters.
The previous record for long
speeches in the senate was made by
former Senator Allen (Neb.) who op-
posed the repeal of the silver purchas-
ing clause of the Sherman act, and
he was aided by other senators who
took much of the strain from his
voice by frequently reading extracts
from documents. Mr.. La Toilette had
was made as difficult as possible by
placing interpretations of the rules Of
the senate, which fnterfered with his
demands for the calling of the roll to
determine the existence of a quorum
This ruling was made after there had
been more than 80 calls of the SEN
ate and was based on the fact that
there had been no business interview
ing since the former call, debate being
held not to be business.
After Mr.. La Toilette had been
twice recognized by the chair, an old
at the suggestion Of former Senator
David B. Hill On. 70 to the effect
that a senator can not speak more
than twice on subject In one 1egisla-
tive day, unless other business in
tervenes, was brought up. AS the
senate will continue the currency dis
cussion under the legislative day of
May 20, Mr.. La Follerre realized that
he could not get the floor again If he
surrendered. AS result he gave an
unprecedented exhibition of endur-
ance. His exploit is all the more re-
markable for the reason that his own
party was wholly without sympathy
for his effort and he had but few
supporters in the Democratic ranks.
Senators Hard to Hold.
The night was one that will long be
remembered by senators. The heat in
the chamber was oppressive and the
attempts to maintain quorum pre-
vented the so odd senators now in thu
city from getting rest. Finally the
sergeant-at-arms was directed to keep
these senators at the capitol, which
was an almost impossible task. AS
soon as some of them were brought
they would answer to their names and
RI their hnn1nc The A.
can leaders were particularly anxious
that Senators Stone and Gore should
not be permitted to get an undisturbed
nights rest and they were routed out
of bed by the deputy sergeant alarms
of the senate. They were brought into
the chamber half dressed but they did
not remain long enough for their dis
habi1le to be generally noticed.
Throughout the day and night SEN
ator LaFollette sustained himself on
a punch Of egg and milk and on one
occasion during a roll call he ate &
sandwich. He husbanded his strength
by sitting on the arm Of his chair as
he talked and for the most part his
speech was delivered in a conversation
al and dispassionate tone.
There have been a number of FAM
Gus filibustering episodes In the his
ever has been supported by SO small a
| body of men as the lone f1libuster'' of
Mr.. LaFollette. Never yet has the
senate failed to finally act on meas
ure which majority of that body
| favored.
The Allen Fflibuster.
President Cleveland summoned con-
gress in extraordinary session, and the
| fight was then made to repeal the pur-
| chasing clause of the Sherman law.
Congress met August Z, 1893; the law
was approved November 1 following,
| and adjournment was taken November
| Z. 1893. On October II, the senate
| met at II o'clock in the
morning and did not adjourn again IN
| til LAB On the morning of October 10.
About o'clock on the night of October
IL, Senator w. v. Allen (Neb.) a Pop
ulist, took the floor and began a speech
| in opposition to the bill He held the
floor uninterruptedly until few min
utes after o'clock the next morning,
speaking all the time, save when points
of no quorum were brought up, or he
was spelled" by some one else for a
few minutes through reading of news
paper and other articles with which his
speech was interpolated.
Mr.. Allen was on his feet for IA hours
and up to date held the record for long
distance speaking in the congress of
the United States.
At the time, 1t was stated 1t had
been exceeded but once, and then by
only couple of hours, in the British
house of commons. Mr.. Allen was ma
terially aided by Senators PETER and
| Kyle.
| Senator PETER was on his feet most
of the succeeding night and to refresh
| himself drank copious1y and frequent
| ly from a large bowl of cruel that
stood on his desk.
| How Carter Won.
The defeat of a river and harbors
| bill by Senator Carter is too recent to
be forgotten. This was at the end of a
short session and was done with the
approval of the president. Mr.. Carter
talked whenever talking was neces-
sary, but always gave way to business
that had to be transacted. He was
''on to his job" however, and had