The Washington herald., 1908-05-30

NerDdl compendium OF IariI leSlSlatlOn III
the last decade or two, with occasional
steps backward 70 the time of Henry
Clay, and some extended "reminiscences
from his own experience on committees
which have attempted to revise the tariff
The obstructive tactics adopted by Sem
ators Aldrich, Hale, and Kean TO avert
| consideration Of the inland waterways
i bill and the government liability bill
both administration measures came In
for vigorous condemnation from Mr.. La
Toilette when he reached the subject OF
inland waterways. AS much es "a good
/ round legislative day." he said. had been
wasted by the leaders In reading the
Journal while endeavoring 10 smother
the waterways bill, Mr.. Aldrich having
been compelled. he declared. by Senator
Newlands insistence upon consideration
OF this bin OF the Presidents 10 resort
10 demanding the reading Of the Journal
and Of all reports from the House. Mr..
La Toilette spoke in terms of praise OF
the waterways bill, and characterized as
small In the extreme the course which
had excluded this measure. "appropriat-
ing only $20O00." from consideration.
| Mr.. Gallinger, Of New Hampshire, was
the author Of the only interruption in the
early hours Of the night The Senator
/ from Wisconsin alluded when he began
70 discuss the forestry question, 10 Mr..
Gallingers White Mountain-Appalachia
| forest reserve bill as having been showed
under by the leaders. and the New Hamp-
shire Senator arose TO correct him, stat
ing that this bill had passed the Senate.
Yes" replied Mr.. La Toilette, but II
was hung up by the heels in the House."
Mr.. Gallinger could not deny this. so
np ind
edgment of the thrust, ana sat down.
"And forthwith" resumed Mr.. La Fol-
lette, they created another one OF these
overworked comm ssions to investigate
the forestry question. as they had done
with the tariff and as you would do with
the currency question"
About 8 o'clock the Committee on Rules
began 70 consider ways and means Of
shutting OF Mr.. La Toilette There was
some talk that an attempt would be
made to bring in a closure resolution.
Mr.. La Toilette heard these rumors. and
referred 70 them in his speech. He said
he was prepared 20 cite precedents galore
TO show why there could be no limit 10
debate, and indicated that It would take
him week or so 10 tell what these
precedents were. The Republicans are
determined to keep the Senate In con-
tinuous session until the hlibuster IS ex-
hausted
FiIibuster Starts Early.
Soon after the Senate got under way.
at II q. m. Senator La Toilette started
his filibuster. He twice made the point
that a quorum was not present. The roll
was called, but hts third demand for a
roll call was denied.
Senator Culberson was talking. Senator
La Toilette twice tried to interrupt him
Realizing that the object OF the Wiscon-
sin Senator's interruption was TO make
the point Of no quorum. Mr.. Culberson
sharply said:
Il decline TO yield TO the Senator from
Wisconsin"
Mr.. La Toilette sat down. In a few
minutes he addressed the Chair on a
question of parliamentary privilege
The Chair INDUCED him. although Mr.
Culberson protested. Mr.. La Toilette in
sisted that his point Of no quorum should
be entertained. He was reading the rules
when Mr.. Nelson, Of Minnesota, declared
that Mr.. La Toilette was not IN order
that the Chair could not recognize him 10
interrupt a Senator on a parliamentary
question.
The Vice President ruled that Mr.. La
Toilette was out Of order The Senator
from Wisconsin was thoroughly aroused
and appealed from the ruling OF the Vice
President. He pointed out that under the
rules he had a right 20 interrupt 20 make
the point OF no quorum. Senators Culber-
son and Bacon agreed with him. but Mr..
Aldrich dissented Mr.. Aldrich moved to
lay the appeal on the table. A viva voce
vote tabled the appeal
Counts Senator Not Voting.
Mr. La Toilette demanded division.
The standing vote disclosed % ayes and
II noes. on the motion to table the appeal.
Il submit that a quorum Of the Senate
is not present. as disclosed by the vote,
said Mr.. la Toilette. The Chair held
that a quorum was present. Mr.. Gore Of
Oklahoma, said the vote only disclosed
forty-six Senators present, one less than
a quorum.
The Chair noted the presence OF one
Senator who had not voted" said Mr..
Fairbanks. after Mr.. Aldrich had called
his attention 10 the fact that Senator
Daniel Of Virginia, was seated in the
chamber. but had not voted.
Mr.. La Toilette tried TO interrupt. but
the Vice President raped him down, an
that "a quorum Is present" "
After yelling at the top OF his voice. /
Mr.. La Toilette secured the attention of
the Chair.
do 1 understand that the presiding
officer Of the body proposes to establish
the precedent IN this body Of counting a
quorum, when the vote discloses that a
quorum is not PRESENT." he asked.
Mr.. Fairbanks quoted a ruling OF Allen |
G. Thurman. Senator from Ohio. as
President pro tenn. TO sustain him. Mr. |
Ihurman's ruling was made September |
10. 1879.
Mr.. La Toilette sat down. with the re- |
mark that the ruling would come back |
to plague the Republican leaders"
Mr.. Bacon, Of Georgia, said he did not |
agree with Mr., La Toilette in obstructing |
business but the Vice Presidents rul- |
Ing was erroneous, In his judgment. II |
IS an Illustration of the old axiom that |
bad cases make bad laws"
Hold Chair In the Wrong.
Mr.. Culberson explained that he was |
anxious not to obstruct business. but he |
held that the Vice President had made
IN improper ruling The Texas Senator
continued his speech. There was excite
nent around the Vice Presidents chair.
Senator's Hale. Foraker. Gallinger. and
Aldrich were eagerly attempting to coach
he Vice President Their voices were so
audible that Mr.. Bacon peremptorily de-
handed order. and Mr.. Culberson de-
'lared that unless the Vice President en-
orced the rules TO secure order that he
Mr. Culberson) would make the point of
10 quorum. "and guess that will hold"
le concluded.
AT the conclusion Of Senator Culber-
on's speech. Mr.. La Toilette again
aised the point Of no quorum. A roll