Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-24
DELAY IN THE SENATE
Republican Fi|ibuster Against
Everything.
CURIOUS SITUATION ARISES
Dilatory Tactics Prove Entirely Eff
fective.
IN CONTRAST TO THE HOUSE
Mr.. Aldrich Insists on the Reading
Of the Journal Of the Proceed
ings Friday.
N CONTRAST TO THE HOUSE

ings Friday.
AS result OF the determination of the
republican leaders Of the Senate to do
nothing but absolutely necessary work
between noon yesterday and the final adj
journment of Congress a curious situation
arose in that body yesterday and last
night. 1t was nothing more nor less than
a republican filibuster against practically
everything.
Inc dilatory tactics of Senator's Aldrich
Of Rhode Island and Hale Of Maine were
entirely effective. notwithstanding the
almost frantic efforts Of a number of
republican senators to secure considera-
ton for various measures. When the
Senate adjourned at 1920 o'clock it had
transacted no more real business since
noon than could have been easily put
through in one hour.
The situation was in striking contrast
to that in the House. where the repub-
lican majority is straining every nerve to
transact business and the democrats are
working. under the leadership of Minority
Leader Williams. to delay things as long
as possible.
Adopts a Few Reports.
During the entire session yesterday the
only business Of any consequence dis
posed of by the Senate was the confer
ings bill. the Military Academy bill and
the pension bill. and partial report on
the post office bill There was no debate
and no roll call on any of these reports
They went through unanimously and with
the utmost rapidity. and the rest OF the
time was devoted religiously to nothing.
AS soon as an effort was made by any
bring up a measure that might have a
chance of passing and therefore clogging
the wheels and mayhap delaying adjourn
ment for day or two, Mr.. Aldrich. or
Mr.. Hale. was there to object. When a
motion was made to take up any such
measure roll calls were demanded and
debates were begun to embarrass the
mover.
On the other hand. whenever a sena-
tor made known desire to talk about
ate" and which would merely furnish
good opportunity for doing nothing, his
proposition was seized upon eagerly and
pushed into the foreground. as If it were
of the greatest moment to the country
and should be delved into to its very
depths.
Insists on Reading Of Journal.
Nothing could have been more indicative
Of the attitude Of the republican leaders
than Mr.. Aldrich's insistence at the be-
ginning of the session at noon yesterday
that the entire journal of Fridays pro-
ceedings be read. This is something that
has never been done this session, and is
considered entirely unnecessary. 1t con-
sumed Iii hour. Then Senator Fulton Of
Oregon was allowed to bring up his ON
nibus claims bill. which everybody knew
had not the slightest chance of passing.
but which would afford a fine subject for
more speeches.
The fiIibuster called forth an attack
from Sena tor Beveridge Of Indiana during
the afternoon.
He wanted to have action on his motion
to discharge the committee on agricul-
ture from further consideration of his bill
to place the date of packing in cans of
preserved meat. He charged Senator AL
drich and the other republican leaders
with attempting to deliberately waste
time when matters of importance to the
people might be considered. He called
attention to the fact that Senator Aldrich
had insisted on the unheard-of proceeding
of reading all of the journal Of Fridays
proceedings, taking up more than an hour
of the Senate's time.
Resort to Dilatory Tactics.
The Rhode Island senator merely
smiled. and he and Senators Hale and
Kean continued to resort to all sorts
of dilatory tactics. All Unanimous con-
sents' to take bills from the calendar
were refused, but when Senator Teller
Of Colorado exhibited a desire to make
long winded states rights speech Mr..
Aldrich and Mr.. Hale were only too
willing.
The Colorado senator occupied the
floor for nearly two hours. Toward the
end OF his speech. about ! pm. he re-
ferred to the Presidents letters to SEN
ators and to his recent messages, in
which the President declared he would
veto the Foraker bill for the reinstate-
ment of the colored soldiers alleged to
have been involved in the Brownsville
raid. and also all bills for dams which
do not provide for payment to the gov
eminent for the right to construct the
dams.
This reference brought Senator Foraker
OF Ohio to his feet at once TO say that
Senator William Alden Smith Of Michi-
gan. to whom the President had written
a letter on the Brownsville matter was
in the chamber. and ought to be given an
opportunity to read that letter to the
Senate.
Serious Matter" Mr.. Foraker Says.
This is serious matter" Mr.. Foraker
said. 'and one Of which the Senate ought
to take Official notice. The President has
attempted to dictate to the Senate"
II was insisted by Senator Clapp Of Min
nesota that the Presidents letter had
been addressed to Mr.. Smith and not to
the Senate. and, therefore, 1t was not be-
fore the Senate.
This brought from Mr.. Foraker the sally
that it was high time such an important
matter was brought officially before the
Senate, and that was the reason he had
mentioned 1t.
Calls of Regular order!' from a num-
Der of republican senators shut on the
debate at this point. Mr.. Smith not hav-
ing signifed what he thought Of the ref
erences to the letter the President had
written to him.
After promising that he would not ask
for the present consideration Of his reso-
luton to lay before the state legislatures
a proposed amendment to the Constitu-
ton for the election of senators by direct
vote, Senator Owen, the Indian sena-
tor from Oklahoma. secured unanimous
consent to make a speech on that resolu-
ton. II have no objection to the senator
speaking as long as he pleases." said Mr..
Aldrich with the best of good nature and
with emphasis on the word speaking"
In the course OF his speech Mr. Owen
asserted that majority Of the state leg
islatures favored this constitutional
amendment