The Washington herald., 1910-01-28

Senator JEFF Davis, Of Arkansas, got in
front of the spotlight In the Senate yes
terday. He organized slngle-handed fill
lbuster, and while it did not have pro-
longed run. and was unsuccessful 50
far as results are concerned, It aiior1ed
the Senate entertainment out of the or
binary.
Even those Senators who had taken
advantage of the lull in proceedings and
were mapping in the cloakrooms. felt
amply compensated when aroused, and
they had ascertained that they were
wanted for the purpose Of answering
roll calls demanded by Senator Jeff.
The Senate had heard the Enemy Of
all Trusts" on two former occasions, but
yesterday for the first time 1t was per-
nitted TO see him in real action,
Aroused HIS Ire.
The ire of the junior Senator from
Arkansas was aroused by reason Of an
effort to force the passage Of a bill open
ing for settlement surplus and unallotted
lands In the Rosebud Indian reservation
Z
against the interests of the common peO-
pie. according to the Honorable Jeff,
and he said so. Rather he raised his
voice in protest.
TIE filibuster started when Senator
Gamble. of South Dakota. the author Of
the bill, refused to postpone considera-
ton of the measure during the absence
from the chamber OF Senator Gore, Of
Oklahoma, who had offered an amend
ment providing for change in the meth
DDS of anotting the lands. That was
enough for Senator Davis.
/ There were less than half a dozen
Senator's present. and he at once made
! the point Of no quorum, which resulted
/ IL a call of the roll, Many Senators who
had left for the day had to come from
the Senate Office building, which was two
blocks away.
As the result OF much hustling on the
part of Senate employees. a majority OF
the Senators were rounded up. The de-
/ bate proceeded in a monotonous way, but
Senator JEFF was on his job. and as soon
as it Jagged he made another point Of no
quorum.
In explaining the absence Of his coli
league, Senator Clapp, Of Minnesota, re-
ferred to "the several roll calls demanded
by the Senator from Arkansas"
Replied to CIapp.
That statement is gratultousr' shout
ed Senator Jeff across the aisle, plainly
indicating that he was offended. "a
| Senator has a right TO demand a roll
| call" he continued, "and I expect to
! exercise that right just as often as I
wish and deem necessary for the public
good"
| Senator Clapp smiled but not a wrinkle
| softened the countenance Of the Ozark
| Senator. who in a few minutes demanded
and got his third call of the roll. despite
the protests Of Senators Lodge and
/ Gamble.
There appeared to be no further dis
position to debate the BILL and when the
vote was taken the ayes were largely in
/ the majority Senator Davis demanded
roll-call vote. but only four Of his
| Democratic colleagues Joined in the re-
quest, which was not sufficient number,
and the viva vOce vote stood
| In opposing the bill, Senator Davis said:
| II must raise my voice and utter my
protest against the passage of this bill.
which takes a quarter of million dol
lars out Of the Treasury for opening these
worthless arid lands. There must be some
great power behind a bill to take so
much money out of the Treasury for the
benefit Of private interests. Too many
| scandals have arisen as the result Of land
grabbing in the Northwestern States"