Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-06-10
CURRENCY BILL A RADI-
CALLY VICIOUS MEASURE
Especial Washington Correspondence of
srka Argus


Especial Washington Correspondence of
The Argus.)
Perhaps 1t was because this has
been fighting and singularly i'll
tempered congress that it closed its
fret session with a burst OF hilarity
and nonpartisan good fellowship such
as has never before been witnessed in
the house Of representatives. There
were songs, professions, wild dances
on the part of distinguished statesmen,
general eulogy Of Speaker Cannon
even from that side of the chamber
which has been denouncing him as an
autocrat-as, of course, he is-songs
by members of the press gallery and
songs in return from the floor directed
toward the press gallery. One incident
unparalleled in the history of congress
was what might be called battle of
the pictures. A big photograph of the
speaker attached to broom was
borne into the hall at the head of
procession of members of both poIiti-
cal faiths, who joined in singing verses
in his eulogy. Thereupon a militant
Democrat. Helm of Alabama, looking.
upon Uncle Joe as receptive presi-
dental candidate. discovered a por-
trait of Mr.. Bryan in the Democratic
cloakroom, attached it to broom and,
at the head of procession of Demo
Gratis. brought it into the chamber a
struggle ensued between the two fac
tons. each striving to hold the por-
trait of its champion the higher. 1t
was settled finally by a Republican
tossing the Cannon picture into the
press gallery, whence it was proudly
displayed The Democrats tried to do
the same thing with the Bryan picture,
but missed their aim, and it fell to the
speakers desk, narrowly missing his
head AS it was heavily framed it
might have led to q serious accident.
The scene must have been a curious
one to people not familiar with the ia
cility with which an American legisla-
tive body can turn from serious bust
ness to horseplay and back again.
Every five or ten minutes messenger
center aisle to announce the passage of
a bill, and at the tap of the speakers
gavel perfect order would be restored,
only to have pandemonium break out
again the moment the business was
ended. The speaker seemed to enjoy
1t as much as any one, but asked the
press associations to send out little
concerning it, because, as he put it,.
1.-The boys on the floor and the boys in
the press gallery understand this sort
of thing, but there Is the diplomatic
gallery crowded with representatives
Of foreign legations. and what they
must think of this sort of froIic stumps
me-"
The Last Hours Of the Senate.
There was less good humor and more
dignity in the senate as its session
drew to a close. The attempt of Sena-
tor La Toilette to defeat the currency
deal of bitterness at that end of the
capitol. 1t was gallant fight that the
Republican insurgent made and I am
inclined to apprehend that some west
ern and southwestern Democratic sen
ators are likely to suffer among their
constituents for leaving him to make
1t almost unaided. Beginning at 1870
p. M, he talked continuously until aft
er Z o'clock the next morning. breaking
thereby the record for long distance
oratory. There have been other fill
busters who occupied the floor for a
longer space of time but that was by
aid Of the device of sending long docu.
ments to the clerks desk to be read
during which time the speaker had au
opportunity to rest. 1t was in this
way that Senator Tom Carter talked
the river and harbOr bill out of exist
ence aud Senator Carmack In a later
congress slaughtered the ship subsidy
bill. But this year a rule was brought
in prohibiting this practice. and all quo.
tatious which La Toilette desired added
to his speech had to be read by him.
The fact that he has been for nearly
TIVE months a sick man made his per-
Torrance all the more extraordinary.
His only aid came from Senator Stone
of Missouri and from Senator Gore of
Oklahoma. The latter's speech was in
no sense filibustering device, though
delivered at the time it was, it aided
the effort to talk down the currency
bill. 1t was, in fact, one of the ablest
speeches delivered in the senate this
session, touching upon all present day
issues of Democracy, and will make
one of the best campaign documents
the Democratic national committee can
circulate.