The San Francisco call., 1908-05-30
TIE UP ALDRICH
BILLBY fILIBUSTER
Senator La Toilette Leads the
FightfOr Delay and Threatens
to Hold Out Three Weeks

tied up by a hlibuster with such slen-
der support as was in evidence today
when Senator La Toilette undertook
TO defeat the conference report on the
Aldrich-Vreeland currency bill by talk
ing it to death. The report was brought
up and La Toilette took the floor He
Insisted that quorum should be main
tanned at all times. and up to O'Clock
he had demanded 20 roll calls The
house 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 were
very restless under this restraint It
soon became evident that the republi-
cans would have difficulty in maintain
ing the presence of a majority, and il
was just as apparent that proceedings
would be suspended whenever the
necessary 47 senators were not present.
LEANS ON CHAIR
La Toilette complained of his recent
illness and during much of the day
leaned strongly upon the arm of his
chair, half sitting as he talked he
engaged Aldrich in a colloquy con-
cerning the provisions OF the currency
Dill. and later. declaring that the chair
man OF the finance committee had not
been frank" in his replies, he was
called to order and only after vote
OF the senate had restored him TO his
right on the floor did he continue his
remarks.
Shortly before o'clock La Toilette
inquired whether a proposition would
be agreed TO TO strike out railroad
bonds and stocks from the list of Sc
curities contemplated in the confer
ence agreement but Aldrich promptly
declined the offer. saying the adoption
OF the report was the only question be-
fore the senate, and adding that. so far
as he was concerned. he had neither
power nor disposition to make the con-
cession suggested Aldrich declared
that the report would remain before
the senate until March 4, 1903. IL neces-
sary.
The Wisconsin senator replied that
he would continue his opposition, since
that was the only course presented to
him
The twenty-frst call to ascertain
whether there was a quorum present
was made by Gore at 6:45. He con-
suited with Stone just previous to
raising the point of no quorum. which
suggested that these senators were
actually in sympathy with the wiscon-
sin senator Gore and Stone left the
chamber during the roll call and did
not respond 10 their names
WOULD HOLD OUT WEEKS
La Toilette threatened during the
day to keep the senate in session three
weeks, but the support he will get in
order 10 continue his tactics at the end
Of his physical endurance is yet to be
seen II is understood that Senator
stone, who is opposed TO the bill, will
give active support TO the fIibuster,
aud Senator Gore manifested some
svmpathy at times today by noting the
absence Of a quorum AS a body, how
ever, the democrats are positively op-
posed 10 obstruction TO the republicans
When. the senate convened and un-
dertook to enter upon the considera-
tlon Of the conference report on the
currency bill Senator Culberson threw
himself into the breach when the vice
president undertook TO put the Ques-
tiOn as to whether the conference re-
port should be adopted
Frequent demands for a quorum were
made and Senator La Toilette was
very busy in looking for Senator Stone
Of Missouri, who had just arrived after
a summons from his home, declaring
that IN the Missouri senator lay his
only hope of filibuster. Immediately
after the senate met Aldrich agreed
10 the motion by Depew to take
up the government employees liability
bill. but McLaurin insisted that it be
on the currency bills had been dis
posed Of
ALDRICH Is WILLING
AIdrich seemed willing to have some
other business disposed OF before tax
ing up the currency measure and Bev-
eridge Of Indiana attempted TO obtain
an agreement to vote on the bill for
the publicity OF campaign contribu-
tions-
When ultimately the currency re-
port was taken UP and Vice President
Fairbanks called for the ayes and noes
on the report there was a chorus of
Affirmative votes from the republican
side, but before the noes could be
called for Culberson was on his feet
TO discuss the report
The Texas senator proceeded to chide
the majority party with long delay in
enacting financial legislation which
had begun, he said, six months ago.
But" he added, "a political exigency
has apparently decreed that this bill
shall become a law and it is not sur
prising that il has not found a de-
fender IN this chamber.
That at least" he continued, lis g
tribute to the intellectual integrity OF
this body which is gratifying TO me-"
He declared that the bill was in the
interest Of the gambling interests of
the country to such a great extent
that the usual Subterfuge Of the gen
eral welfare has not been suggested"
An exodus from the chamber havins
been in progress, La Toilette inter
rupted Culberson to point out tha
there was not g quorum present. Cul
berson had begun a statement of gov
ernment expenditures after as sena
tors had come in in response TO a rol
call They gradually disappeare,
from the chamber and La Toilette
looking about keenly as he leane,
forward IN his place. again called at
tention to the absence of a quorum
Although the senator from Texas ap
Dealed TO him not to insist on an
other roll call, he declared that h.
would have to bring in the senat.
membership and the second call pro
ceeded. It brought in so senator's
AGAIN DEMANDS CALL
The senator from Texas had not Ions
proceeded when La Toilette agair
rose
i call attention TO the absence Of .
ouorum,' he said.
The senator declined to WELD
seated the vice president
la Toilette then made a point O.
erder. suggesting that under rule O
fhe senate il was mandatory on tn,
oa-4 OF the presiding officer 10 call tn.
Ill ---bone<re- the absence Of a o,,or,,v,