The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-02-19
SENATOR PENROSE BITTERLY
ARRAlGNS LA TOILETTE IN
SENSATIONAL SPEECH.
SCENE IS ALMOST TRAGIC
Employed in Handling Appropriation
Bills Draws Fire from Pennsylvania
Statesman-Former Stands and
Listens to Seathins Criticism.

Washington, Feb. lS--An acrid de-
bate of words took place in the senate
today between Mr.. La Toilette, who
was criticising methods of that body
in the handling of appropriation bills.
and Mr.. Penrose, chairman of the
committee on postoffices and post
roads, who was in charge of the post
office bill. The colloquy was rem
dered almost tragic by the angry
tones and fiery attitude assumed by
the senator from Pennsylvania as ne
denounced the senator from WiscOn-
sin, who stood quietly at his place ON
the left side of the chamber, staring
back at his big antagonist.
The day had begun by Mr.. La Fol-
lette asking that the postoffice bin
be allowed to go over until tomorrow.
as it had just been reported from the
committee, and he had no time to ex-
anime 1t. Mr.. Penrose had resisted
this request, saying he would explain
all amendments that had been sug-
gested by his committee. Mr.. Penroee
had moved that the bill be
taken up and it was laid before the
senate, the senator from wisconsin
demanding the full reading of the text
of the bill. Later Mr.. La Toilette Sc
vereiy arraigned the senate for per-
mitting legislation to accumulate un-
til the last four days of the session.
when, he declared, important bills
were rushed through with little or no
time for senators to understand them.
My observation is that these ap-
preparation bills get in here about as
late for the long session as they do
for the short session." said Mr.. La
Toilette.
Part of System.
1T seems to be part of the system
that these most important legislative
acts shall have little consideration
He charged that important legisla-
ton was placed on these measures and
passed when it could not pass as a
separate bill. He said also that the
salary increase for the judiciary, for
the legislative offices and for the vice
president and for the speaker of the
house had been put through in that
way, and insisted that committees
unduly delayed bills which might be
reported earlier so that the senate
would have more opportunity to study
and understand them. He declared he
hoped the tariff bill would not be put
through ION creased runway
II don't see,'' he continued, that II
would be calamity to the country
if the discussion of these bills should
carry some of them over to an extra
session. | know that If appropriation
bills are disposed of at this time
there will not be any reorganization
of committees at THO time, and var
ious important legislation outside of
appropriation bills ought to go over
Heard il Before.
Senator Penrose interrupted to ask
the senator from Wisconsin whether
he was delivering his regular lecture"
adding that he thought he had heard
II all before.
Mr.. La Toilette replied that observa-
tions Of that sort would not promote
the passage of the bill. He chided the
senate with having put off interstate
commerce legislation for nine years,
and having delayed the pure food law
for II years by applying the same
methods against which he was con-
tending.
At this point Mr.. Penrose arose and
with violent anger, and glaring across
the chamber at the straight form Of
the senator from Wisconsin, said:
Makes Charge.
II shall not sit silent in my seat
when misstatements are made or clap
trap craftsmanship is attempted here.
l charge that the senator from Wis
consin had been on the committee on
census, and during his service on that
committee had failed to attend sim
gle meeting of it. / make that charge
without any fear of contradiction. He
IL on the committee on claims, and
has only attended its meetings once or
twice in all his service, and that at
tendance was only to bring up some
trivial claim. | make this statement
without fear of contradiction that he
is on the committee on PENSIONS
which has one of the largest appro-
priation bills pending before congress
every year, and has hardly ever been
present at its meetings, according to
the unanimous testimony of all of his
colleagues on that committee. He is
on the important committee on Indian
affairs, which every year carries an
important appropriation bill. and he
has seldom or never rendered any
service on it,"
And he has been in the senate
during two years. interrupted Sena-
tor Gallinger.
No Greater Record.
There is no senator" continued Mr..
Penrose, who has greater record
for absenteeism than he. 1t i'll b.
comes him to criticize these commit
tees. When ne is here it is only to
delay the business of the senate; to
hold up the transaction of public busi-
ness and to embarrass those who. un-
der their oaths OF office and in the
conscientious discharge OF their duties
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