The Washington times., 1911-03-04
TURBULENT SCENES
ASHOUSEADJOURNS

I the chair at $50 o'clock this morning,
and, while the House waited the pleas
Ure of its overworked conferees sew
eral additional private bills were pass
ed.
The House began to grow rather dull
as soon as the threatened Democratic
filibuster died a-borning. BY midnight
the comparatively few members on the
floor were in a singing mood, and they
congregated in front of the Speaker s
table to tune up. For more than an
hour the sound of strong masculine
voices echoed through the corridors.
Southern melodies were most In favor.
and everything from "Old Black Joe"
to MY Old Kentucky Home" was
called for and given with a vim.
Songs Of a different nature were
heard at intervals. These were the
swan songs" of members who had
but few more hours to serve as a
representative of the people. More than
Il hundred of those who answered to
roll calls on the final legislation OF the
Sixty-first Congress will not be among
those present when the next session is
convened
Fond Farewells Expressed.
Occasionally. one of these lame
udShS "NNlO GAplCSE q ~ oNS
fond farewell The House granted
the request, and then sat in respectful
attention, while the member made his
last speech in the body.
Representatives J. Sloat Fassett OF
New York, General Keifer of OHIO.
and Representative Livingston of GeoI-
gia told their colleagues in the early
morning hours how much it pained
them 10 go, and how pleasant had been
their long stay at the Capitol.
Mr.. Weeks finally broke up the song
fest by bringing up the postoffce DILL
which was promptly sent back to con-
ference.
The galleries were interested until
about l o'clock, when they began to
thin out, and but few were present to
hear the Houses sweetest songsters.
The near-filibuster of the Democrats
created some excitement earlier in the
evening. The word had been passed
around to have all Democrats present,
and when Mr.. FOss moved to send the
naval bill to conference, Representative
Garner of Texas arose and charged the
Republicans with attempting to lam
down the throat of the House the tariff
board bill which is to come over here
early in the morning from the Senate"
Mr.. Garner said he proposed to hold up
the appropriation bills, If possible. Mr..
clayton of Alabama and Mr. Fitzgerald
of New York, acquiesced in impassiOned
speeches.
Filibuster Was Short Lived.
Have you consulted the leaders on
this side?' blandly inquired Represen-
tative HObson. during Mr.. CIayton's
arraignment of the tariff board cloture
rule.
Leaders," calculated Mr.. Clayton,
evidently surprised at the nature of the
question. Il don't know who the gen.
tlCman considers to be leaders. My
idea of a Democratic leader Is the
man who finds out the will of the ma
jOnty, and then shouts, Come on,
boys!'"
Loud Republican cheers greeted Mr..
Clayton's retOrt.
vived but a few brief minutes. Champ
hut did not rise when Mr.. Garner at
to get a roll call to prevent the
SundTy bill from going to conference.
The full strength of the Democratic
seemed to be about thirty
four recalCitrants.
Mr.. Garner suggested that a hold-up
of the appropriation bills should be had
in order to call the Presidents hand" |
about an extra session.
When 1t ran out Of grist entirely the |
House decided to follow the example !
of the Senate and take a recess, and a
number of members who had been sleep |
ing in their seats, as dawn approach !
ed, made hasty getaways for the cloak !
rooms.