The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-04
Force Defeat of Tariff Board
Bill by Filibusting in
House
MEASURE PASSES
SENATE BUT DIES
ON LAST STROKE
Democrats Deliberately De-
feat Taft's Pet Measure in
Order to Force Extra
Session

WASHINGTON, March A.
Falling to enact either OF Presi-
dent Taft's favorite measures---
Canadian reciprocity and the per-
manent tariff board biii--the Six
ty-frst Congress shut up shop
this afternoon and turned over
the affairs of government to the
new Congress, which has a DEM
ocratic House and greatly re-
duced Republican majority In the
Senate.
The tariff board bill went
through both houses, but i'm tho
closing hours the House Demo-
Gratis Killed 1t by fiHbustertng
against Senate amendments.
The reciprocity bill, which pass
ed the House, was treated with
supreme indifference by thu sem
ate, which refused I'd consider il.
The finance committee having re-
ported IL without recommended
ton, IL was allowed to die Mt the
foot Of the calendar.
President Taft, i'm accord with
his announced and positive de-
termination, immediately arrang-
ed to call an extra session. He
was willing to give up the tariff
board, but stood firm I'm his de-
mand that the reciprocity agree
men be passed. He believes tho
new Senate viii pass It.
The closing days i'm the Senate
were marked by fihbusters which
kept that body In almost contin-
nous session for SIX days.
T.. sH>s Ia -
dramatic incident cnme when Sen.
ntcr Owen tDeni0crat), OF Okla
hOrna, fought fierccly for the Arb
roma progressive constitution and
prevented the ratification OF the
conservative New Mexico consti-
tuition.
Bailey Gets Mad and Quits.
This final struggle was so bit
ter that senator Bailey, of Texas.
the Democratic floor leader, an
nouncsd his resignation when ali
bat two Democrats voted with
Owen for popular government"
which was the real issue. Bailey
was angered at tho desertion, as
he had violently opposed the ad-
vanccd ideas of governments In
corporation in the Arizona CON-
St5tutfon.
As usual the final scenes in tho
senate were quietly enacted, but
farewell of such old-time leaders
members OF the Republican old
guard Of regulars, who passed
out -of control. The alsse1it,e OF
Aldrfch, whose rule of the SEN
ate ceased last spring, but whose
influence was felt until to-day.
was regarded as an important
omission In the picture Of the
passing OF the old masters Of Ieg-
islation.
In the house IL was the most
violent day i'm the most violent
session that body has ever known.
The last three hours Of the SEES.
sion were tho most dfsorCterly
the house has ever known, &C.
cortiing to men who have watch.
ed the lower body for thirty
years.
With "JncIe Joe'' Cannon
welding the iron sceptre of tho
''cxar OF the house" as he did
years ago, and determined
Democratic fabuster against the
tariff board bill conducted by
Fitzgerald. the parliamentary ex-
pert OF the Democratic side, the
scenes were pandemouium, and at
times almost complete den0rali-
ration.
Democrats Forced Withdrawal.
In the end the Democrats
forced the withdrawal Of . spec
cial rule under which the tariff
board bill was being considered
by delaying appropriation bills
until HAS. Chairman Pxyne, Of
the ways and means committee
then, amid jeers from the minor
fly side, asked unanimous consent
20 dispense with the consideration
OF the measure, which WAS
granted.
The clock was turned back
nearly an hour, and with "Uncle
Joe' beating the desk with his
gavel, the excitement subsidized
and the bills were pushed through
the mill at the rate OF one min
ute.
Worn and weary with tho
strain OF a continuous session Of
over twcnty-six hours, but with
the Are OF yout hin his eye and
the spring OF youth In his gnarl-
ed seventy-nye-year-old framns
Cannon. about TO be dep0sed from
the seat he has held for eigho
years. took the bit In his teeth
In the course of the ftlibustce.
Administering absolutely gag 0r~'