The Washington herald., 1911-02-03

The Senate yesterday passed the
ocean mail subsidy bill. which au-
thorizes the Postmaster General to en-
ter into contracts for carrying the
mails to South American ports and to
the Philippines. Japan. China, and Aus
tralasia at a rate of 81 a mile on the
outward voyage to vessels Of the sec
ord class and 81 a mile on the outward
voyage to vessels of the third class.
The passage Of the bill by Vice Pres
ident Sherman's vote is said to have
been the first time since 1898 that the
Vice President has cast deciding
vote upon an important measure Back
in 1895 Vice President Hobart cast
the vote against the Bacon resolution.
which provided that the United States
should not retain the Philippine Is
lands.
The bill passed yesterday limits the
amount Of the subsidy to be paid in
any one year to $4,000, 600, and further
provides that it shall not exceed the
amount of money received On account
OF foreign mails.
ditions that give very little encourage
ment to its friends. on two separate
roll calls on the passage of the meas
ure the vote was a tie, SO to 80, and
the Vice President exercised his pre-
rogative of voting. and thus saved
the measure from defeat
New Senator Absent.
Even then the bill would have failed
but for the absence Of the new Demo-
cratic Senator from West Virginia, Clar-
ence Watson. who took the oath of office
yesterday morning at the urgent request
of his Democratic colleagues. to enable
the Democrats to get rid of one Republi-
can vote and to add one Democratic vote
in opposition to the measure. Mr.. Wat
son was in the Senate chamber during
the early part of the voting. but diSap-
peared later and could not be found. "A
dilisent search was made for him Fur
thernore. he left no authority to pair
him, and no pair was arranged
Senator Scott, OF West Virginia, with
a smile. announced the absence of his
colleague, and ventured to suggest that
Mr.. Watson was undoubtedly detained
from the Senate by important business
The Republican Senators enjoyed the stu
alton, and the Democrats appeared to be
very much disguised.
The bill was taken up at o'clock I'M
der a previous order. Several Democratic
Senators spoke in opposition to the meas
ure. Senator Simmons. of North Caro-
lima explained why he had changed his
attitude toward the bill and would now
vote against it. having previously voted
for il.
Smith Declines to Aid.
Just at that point they were given
further embarrassment for Senator Smith,
of Michigan, who had been voting with
them on previous roll calls, declared that
he could not support the GaIlinger bill
The previous roll call had shown that
the friends of the bill had only two ma
Jority and Mr.. Smiths switch to the op-
position therefore gave promise of a
tie vote. At the same time the Demo-
Gratis were out scouting to find Senator
Watson. OF West Virginia
The roll call proceeded. and as it was
nearing completion the Democrats and
Insurgents were smiling and Congratu-
lating each other and the Republican
leaders seemed to be depressed. When
the first roll call was completed the bill
was defeated The opposition had two
majority. Then an assistant sergeant
alarms rushed Senator Nelson and Sem
ator Clark. Of Wyoming, into the cham
Der in time to record their votes, and
when the result was announced it was
a tie, and Vice President Sherman cast
the deciding vote. The Republicans
breathed somewhat easier, but they soon
realized that the issue had not been
finally settled The roll call had been