The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-10

From the Washington Post.
 Much interest has been aroused all over the country in the recent efforts of the democratic minority of the House of Representatives to force legislation. Formerly hlibustering ia Congress al ways proved a most effective weapon III the hands of the minority; but barring the successful plan of the employers liability bill, introduced by Representa- tive Sterling. which John Sharp Will Hams attributed to the action of the ill busters this new kicking against the bricks has not brought forth much frult' as the hands of the minority were most effectually tied by the prompt and dras- tic rules adopted by the majority
 Filibustering is not confned 10 Chs House. as many senators have invoked its aid to hasten, or kill legislative ae- ton. as the case may be. During the last days of the first session of the fifty ninth Congress Senator Jacob h. Galllh- ger of New Hampshire and Senator Thomas H. Carter of Montana, repuou- cans conducted a flibuster against the ..hours of work bill. They were sue cessful and managed to kill it.
 On another occasion the force bill' hl- ibuster prevented change in the meth od of representation in the Southern states.
 The late Senator John T. Morgan of Alabama advocated the digging of the isthman canal with the greatest perse- verance, and he used to tilibuster in it's favor. He once spoke for three days against the plan for the Panama canal as he was partial to the Nicaraguan route.
 Quay a Well-known Freebooter.
 Senator Quay was well known as a freebooter in legislation, and his tactics became familiar to his opponents. When ever he wished to stop proceedings he would announce that he would make a speech and then send send for about 20 books, which he would pile around him, and after keeping the Senate waiting a sufficient time he would begin his speech. He once made a speech which lasted more than a week, during which time his opponents yainly tried to interrupt him.
 In 1884 there was no rule for stopping a member when he was making a speech; he could take as long as he wished to discuss any legislation. But on June 5, 1S41, Mr Warren of Georgia offered this amendment to the 18th rule
 And that no member be allowed 70 speak more than one hour on any ques- ton under debate.
 This rule was attributed to Henry Clay and was denounced in the Senate on the ground that it violated the constitution 1t was then popularly known as the ''gag law" This hour rule'' has now dwin- dled down to five minutes.
 One of the first instances of filibuster- ing in the House of Representatives oc- cured in 1895. just after the impeach- ment trial of the Hon. Samuel Chase. one of the associate justices of the supreme court quarrel arose over the payment of witnesses The House would pass no bill which provided for the payment of those summoned by Chase. The Sen ate would pass no bill which did not, and a conference followed Each refused Co yield and the bill was lost.
 One of the First Filibusters.
 John Randolph then attempted, in the closing hours of the session. to have the witnesses for the managers of the trial paid out of the contingent fund of the House. But the federalists were ready; they hurried from the room, and when the vote was taken the speaker an- nounced no quorum. Members were thereupon summoned from the lobby and committee rooms Hardly were they in their seats when a message from the President was announced, and while the clerk was reading it the federalists again left the room, so that, when the resolution was a second time called up there was again no quorum. Once more inc sergeant-at-arms went into the lobby, and once more the members came in. But an enrolled bill was reported. and while the speaker was signing it the federalists a third time slipped out. The announce ment of no quorum which followed was greeted with shouts of laughter. Ran dolph, in a great passion, desisted, and late on the evening of Sunday, March B 1895, the eighth Congress ended.
 The definition of a ilouster, or free booter. in a legislative body is mem- Der who resorts to irregular or obstruc- tive tactics to prevent the adoption of q measure or procedure which is favored by the majority.
 In the fiftieth Congress, elected in 1886