The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-05
Taft Calls New Congress in
Extra Session on
April 4.
RECIPROCITY BILL FAILED
And So Old Tariff Commission
Bill Closing Triumph for
Uncle Joe.

NAsnINoToN, March 4-The life OF
the sixty-first Congress expired to-day
amid scenes unparalleled in recent years.
Al the appropriation bills got through.
hut Canadian reciprocity failed. and
President TAFT has called a special ses-
sion of Congress- to convene on April
=, 70 consider that subject.
The climax to disorderly session in
the Senate came a few minutes before
adjournment. when Joseph W Bailey
Of Texas. one Of the most conspicuous
figures in the Senate. sent his resignation
10 the vice-Presidents desk He, re-
signed out Of disgust over the action Of
twenty three Of his fellow Democrats
in voting in favor Of fhe Arizona Con-
s,itution. which among other things
provides for the recall OF the judiciary,
Tonight, after explanations had passed
between him and the other Senators and
the Governor Of Texas had declined TO
accept the resignation. Mr.. Bailey an
nounced that he had reconsidered and
would remain.
The closing hours in both houses were
marked by tlibusters which threatened
10 prevent the final passage Of the big
appropriation bills. Senator Owen.
Democrat. held the Senate up until within
half an hour OF the time Of adjournment
and thereby forced vote upon the Ari-
iona Constitution. il was defeated 10
10 So So also was the conservative Con-
stitution Of New Mexico. which the Senate
had intended TO accent. The Owen
filibuster was directed against the latter
measure. and the Senate, to save the
appropriation bills. finally had to yield
to the Oklahoma Senator'S demand that
roth propositions be voted on together.
The defeat OF the New Mexico Con-
stitution will have no practical effect.
however, az the President. in the event
~ failure by Congress. is empowered to
admit the STATE by Executive order.
The flibuster in the House en gineered
nv Democrats resulted in doing the tarif
commission bill to death. The insur-
gents thus losj the fruits CT their long
and turbulent struggle in the Senate.
The closing scenes in both the House
and Senate were disorderly beyond COM
parison with the ending of any other ses-
sion in many years. Members of the
House were on the verge OF fist fights on
two or three occasions. and one Repre-
sentative, johnson of Kentucky. went
20 far as to announce that he would lick
h ~,tl
The last few hours Of the session
brought a good deal Of satisfaction to
Uncle Joe Cannon. notwithstanding the
fact that he was surrendering the gave
which he had held for eight years. The
same House which on one occasion haG
sought TO repudiate his leadership passed
= resolution resolv ing that he had admin
stered the duties of Speaker in an intel
gent. ca rnest and patriotic manner.
This resolution was introduced b,
Democrats themselves and was adopted
ny the House with a whoop, even tbs
Insurgents who have re lied and cusscc
Uncle Joe for home consumption joining
IN the general vote of approval. Uncl'
joe stepped down from the SpeakershiE
without a note of bitterness in his toni
or manner. but the de -elopments Of thu
morning also afforded him an oppor
unity OF finishing his career in legisla
i've fight.
The final hours in the Senate de- velopet
an effort on the part Of Senator Gore
to &c, tho Stna,e 10 act on reciprocity
bu, the Republican steam roller raj
over him and he arose with protest
that precipitated a disorderly scene il
that chamber.