New-York tribune., 1909-02-19
PASS POSTOFFICE BILL
HOT DEB4TE IN SENATE.
La FoHette's FiIibustering Drazcs
Fire from Pe11rose.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau. J

Washington Feb. IS-The Senate to-day passed
the postofhce appropriation bill carrying approx
Irately S232.0o0O 600 Senator Gary of South Caro-
Ina, made an extended speech IN support of his
resolution calling the Immigration Commission
for accounting OF its expenditures to date. Mem
bers OF the commission interrupted to assure Mr.
Gary that they would cheerfuIly vote for the reso-
luton and submit the accounting asked for. The
Senate also adopted the resolution authorizing the
confeTTees the legislative appropriation bill TO
make the necessary change I'm the salary Of the
Secretary of State TO permit Mr.. Knox 20 serve in
that capacity
The feature OF the day IN the Senate was the YER
bal castigation of Senator la Toilette by Senate
Psnrose. who handled the Senator from Wisconsin
without gloves, and by exposition OF Mr.. La
Follettes failure TO attend the meetings of the
committees of which he is a member completely
confounded the Wisconsin man. who seemed at a
loss for reply, and who contented himself with an
effort to explain the for of his alb
sences and the assertion that he would not be
'choked on by the methods of the Senator from
Pennsylvania
Consideration OF the postoffice bill well under
way when Mr.. La Toilette interrupted to make an
elaborate speech on the customs of the Senate and
to protest that enough time was not given to Sen
ators to permit of proper understanding of the
bills which they asked to vote. although
in doing he wandered some distance from the
thread of his discourse. Finally Mr. Penrose, be-
coming impatient, interrupted the Wisconsin Sen
ator TO inquire II he delivering Chautauqua
lecture saying that there was something "strik-
ingy familiar about the Senator's remarks.
Mr. La Toilette replied that the Senator from
Pennsylvania would gain nothing oy such ooeerVa-
tons, adding: II to say to the Senator that
my remarks viii have a very familiar sound be
fore 1 get through with this subject" Mr. La
Toilette then continued. His manner of conducting
his buser is such that Senators feel that he en-
joys the annoyance he occasions on all sides and
members both sides of the chamber began TO
pass slips OF paper to Mr.. Penrose. These, it was
found later were from members of the committees
Of which Mr.. La Eollette is member, and they
furnished to Senator Penrose the material for his
next interruption. Rising to his full height and
speaking in stentorian tones, Mr. Penrose said;
Mr President. 1 shall cit silent in my seat
Whlie such statements are nade or CIapuaP So
nanshlp IS attempted The Commlttee on FOst-
Offices and Postroads has been criticised by the
ing committees has likewise been criticised oy MN
l make the statement, without fear OF contTadlc-
has only attended once twice in all his service
q meeting OF tnat committee, and that attendance
make the statement without fear OF contradiction
that he has been. unless recently. on the Com
sidering OF the largest appropriation bills
pending before Congress every year. and that ac-
cordinG to the unanimous testimony Of his col
leagueE on that committee, regardless of party he
has hardly ever attended session Of that com
mttee.
make the statement without fear of contradic-
tion rom nm or any other Senator. because the
member OF the committee. regardless OF party that
although the important Committee on Indian
Affairs, considering every year a most Important
appropriation bill-mpoTtant to his constituents
been present, has rendered useful service
thereon and that while he indicates this craving
for future committee assignments. he is already
pays no attention to either OF them
Mr.. Gannger, interrupting, said: And he has
been in the Senate four years. Mr.. Penrose con-
unued:
Is no memher Of this body-and I cite the records
OF the Senate my proof--who has a larger rec
RbSentaelSD befo
him to eriticise other Senators or any committee
for negligence. inattenton absenteesm
here it is only delay the business OF the senate
ana to hold up the transaction OF the public bust
oath OF Office and In the conscientious discharge
dens OF Senatorial oece. These sentiments be-
Neve my colleagues viii voice: and l shall not
from sten to Tgens fS Tne fhS
better become the vender OF a patent medicine
Wisconsin, than they do the deliberations and
the dignity OF the Senate OF the United States.
Defying all rules Of the Senate Senators on all
sides loudly spplauded Nj Penrose's remarks
and the Vice-President obliged to rap vigor-
ously for order.
Mr.. La Toilette seemed almost stupehed ny the
force and vigor Of the attack. and began MS reply
slowly. He explained that illness and his political
affairs in Wisconsin had occasioned Of his
absences: that he was not interested in the Com
mittee Claims and had asked 10 be relieved from
service thereon Finally his voice grew stronger.
and he dehed Senators by such methods to
Choke him off,
Mr.. La Toilette said lie would enter into
troversy with Mr.. Penrose. because there would be
only the word OF orc Senator against that Of
other TO which Mr.. Penrose replied My charges
are based the word of Senator. but
the unanimous testimony OF the committee col
leagues of the Senator from Wisconsin"
Mr.. La Follettes Interruptions for the remainder
of the day comparatively few. and the post
office bill passed without much further delay.