Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-30


long time since the United States
Senate has been halted by filibuster
with such slender support as was in
evidence today when Senator LaFol-
lette, Wis, undertook to defeat the
conference report on the Aldrich-
Vreeland currency bill by talking it
to death
The report being brought up shortly
after / o'clock, Mr.. LaFollette took the
floor. He insisted that quorum should
be maintained at all times and up to
o'clock he had demanded 20 roll calls
He thus was able to obtain more or
less relaxation and at the same time
keep the supporters of the bill in their
seats. The heat was excessive and
many of his colleagues were very rest
less under this restraint. 1t soon be-
came evident that the Republicans
would have difficulty in maintaining
the presence of a majority and it was
just as apparent that proceedings
would be suspended whenever the ne
cessary AZ senators We're not present.
Mr.. LaFollette 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 of r. T., in a
colloquy concerning the provisions of
the currency bin and declared later on
that the chairman of the finance COM
mittee had not been Crank in his
reply. He was called to order and only
after a vote of the Senate had re-
stored him to his right to the floor
did he continue his remarks. All his
fellow senators except Mr.. Foraker
voted to permit him to continue.
Shortly before o'clock he inquired
whether a proposal would be agreed to
to strike out railroad bonds and stocks
from the list Of securities as con-
templated in the conference. but Mr..
Aldrich promptly declined the offer,
saying the adoption of the report was
the only question before the Senate
and so far as Ne was concerned. he had
neither nower or disposition to make
the concession suggested.
Mr.. Aldrich declared that the report
would remain before the Senate until
March 4, 1909, if necessary.
During the late afternoon all absent
Republican senators were notified to be
present on the ground of necessity" the
important problem being to keep a quo
rum present until the filibuster wears it.
self out.
Mr.. LaEollette threatened during the
day to keep the Senate in session three
weeks, but the support he will get to
continue his tactics at the end of his
PHYSICAL endurance is yet to be seen.
Mr.. LaFollette read at great length
from a book on the subject Of the phys
calling for a quorum. He declared that
he would be able to make himself heard
mot only tonight but tomorrow as well. =
The chamber was crowded as the even
ing session wore on.
At $50 o'clock Senator Gore called for
a quorum. remarking that it was evident
there was lack of the required number
of senators.
Anybody can see that" said the sen,
ator from Wisconsin, turning to the blind
senator.
After LaFollette had spoken fol
more than 10 hours he received note
from some watcher he had placed or
guard.
1
know l was speaking to only 26 sena-
tors I will have to make this speech
all over"
Senator Stone returned just before
midnight and it was rumored that
Senator jeff Davis had telegrapheC
Senator LaFollette that he was coming
and to hold out until he reached
Washington Saturday. 1t was alst
stated that several Democrats had re-
ceived dispatches from Mr.. Bryan
urging them to join in the. filibuster
but this was not generally credited.
Republican leaders say they will
have quorum from their own mem
bership tomorrow and that they will
not he defeated by a one or two-mar
filibuster if they have to keep Con-
gress in session Indefinitely.
Senator stone arrived to relieve La
Toilette. The latter had just reached
a point of no quorum and Aldricf
moved that. the sergeant alarms be
instructed to compel the attendance o.
absentees from the chamber who arc
in the city.
The purpose of Aldrich's motion was
to compel LaFollette to remain in the
chamber. Stone, who was anxious t.
take the Wisconsin senator's place
moved to suspend the order, but the
motion was defeated by the Republi.
cans. LaFollette proceeded with hi:
speech.
Later LaFollette, secured a roll cal
on the question Of a quorum and i'm
mediately another roll call. Mr.. Al
drich made a point that the SECOND
motion was not in order because M
business had interviewed. LaFoHett'
threatened that if such preceden
were established it would come up t
plague the Senate.
Aldrich's motion was adopted by ;
vote of IS to S. If the rule is enforce
it will end the incessant demands 10
| rol, calls to ascertain whether a quo
rum is present.
! n,