New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-30
CONGRESS HELD UP
BY FILIBUSTER
LII TOILETTE FIGHTING
CURRENCY BILL
Stone Aiding Him on Bryans order
Republican Leaders VII
Not Yield.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau J


Washington May 29-A hljbuster conducted
BY Senator La Toilette has thus far prevented
a vote on the conference report on the nnanclai
bill. and the entire Congress has been forced 10
await the pleasure of the Wisconsin Senator
Senator La Toilette disregarding the fact thac
he gave his word yesterday that he would not
attempt fIibuster took the floor at II: 40 p m
and occupied IT throughout the day. resortins
to every dilatory device possible under the Sem
ate rules.
Senator La Toilette is understood TO have
changed his mind on learning that he could OBJ
tain assistance from Mr. Stone. of Missouri.
who in turn is acting on the motion of William
j. Bryan.
Mr.. La Toilette at time placed himself at
the mercy of the Senate. SO far transgressing
parliamentary procedure by a personal attack
on Mr.. A1drich that Senator Foraker raised a
point OF order which compelled the Wisconsin
Senator TO resume his seat and made con-
tinuation of his remarks possible only by the
consent of the ma ajority Senator Gore made the
motion 20 permit Senator La Toilette to pro-
eeed and Mr.. Foraker cast the only negative
vote.
Throughout the day. which has been almost
insufferably warm. Senator La Toilette has in
sisted on the presence OF a quorum. and when
ever he has wearied of talking he has demands
ed rolIcan 20 demonstrate the presence of the
required forty-seven Senator's. In the early
evening hours he added TO the eggnog which
he had slipped from time TO time throughout the
day several sandwiches. which he munched whila
the roll being called
The Wisconsin Senator announced at the out
set his determination to talk the financial bill
to DEATH if il took six weeks He made no ef-
fort at connected or logical argument. but
read former speeches. railroad statistics and
even parts OF a novel His delivery was charac-
terized by his usual manner. taunting grimaces
alternating with mock pathetic pleadings. de-
ivered in crouching attitude. with shoulders
hunched UP and his chin scarcely above the level
of the desk top.
Senator La Toilette has been counting t1a
assistance of Senator Stone. of Missouri who
has been urged by William J. Bryan 70 defeat
the bill and Senator Gore has occasionally been
assisting by suggesting the absence of
quorum.
The Wisconsin Senator has been recognized
for the second time by the chair. and il is ex-
pected if he yields the floor to prevent his re-
s11n,ing it under a rule which provides that no
Senator may speak more than twice on the same
subject In single legislative day.----~--------a-
REPUBLICAN LEADERS STAND FIRM
The Republican leaders are determined to de-
feat the flibuster. They feel that the reputa-
ton Of the Senate is at stake and that they can
feat the will of Congress. and especially Sena-
tor La Toilette, who has practically bolted his
party To a considerable extent this view
seems to be shared by the Democrats who are
assisting the majority in maintaining quorum
Every absent Senator has been telegraphed for.
and Mr. Aldrich has announced that there will
be 10 adjournment without a vote. if Congress
has to sit all summer
Shortly before O'Clock Mr.. La FclIette asked
Mr. AIdrich if he would agree to amend the re-
port by striking out railroad bonds and stocks
The sole question before the Senate Mr.
AIdrich replied lis the agreement to the con-
ference report, and that will be before the Sem
ate until March T. 1909. if necessary. I have
neither the power nor the disposition TO make
any change"
The Wisconsin Senator replied that he would
continue his opposition. since that the only
course presented TO him
The President is understood TO be greatly in
censed at the course OF the Senator from Wis
consin He has been calling wavering Senator's
to the White House and urging them to vote
for the financial BILL and he regards the course
of the Wisconsin Senator as little short OF
treachery.
In some quarters grave doubt is expressed as
to La Follette's determination 70 continue his
fIibuster after tomorrow. if he finds II
possible 10 do So Those who maintain this view
insist that the sole purpose or MS course Is to
further the popularity Of his Chautauqua lect-
ures and that he is really little concerned with
the fate OF the financial bill Those who have
followed La Follettes political career IN Wis
consln declare that it is no uncommon thing tor
the Wisconsin Senator. who has exceptional
dramatic ability, close his stump speeches with
a fainting spell, and they looking for such a
denouement TO his present filibuster.
Although speaking slowly and in a low voice
throughout much of the day. when the galleries
filed in the evening the Wisconsin Senator re-
sumed his customary vehement style of dec!ara-
ton
Despite the heat the Senate galleries were
crowded throughout the evening. The presence
of a large and attentive audience seemed 10 act
like tonic on the Wisconsin Senator. He
shouted almost cried. jumped about. ran for
ward almost to the Vice-President's desk
stamped his feet and in every way offered a
spectacle never before seen in the Senate ex-
cept when Jen Davis spoke recently. Availins
himself of so notable opportunity. Senator La
Toilette repeated in large part his Oft heard
speech the valuation of railroad property
But although apparently carried away with tho
force of his oratory. he never failed to re-
sent Senators indulging in conversation and
would stop short or even ask the vice-Presidens
to maintain order.