The Washington herald., 1911-02-04
YESTERDAY IN CONGRESS.
SENATE.
tFfiday, Sebruary 5. l9ll..

The feature Of the Senate was the speech Of
Senator Elihu Root. Of New York. in which he
declared that Senator William Lcrimer, Of nli-
nois should be excluded from his seat because
of corrupticn by which his election was brought
about. Senator Root spoke for more than two
hours and his speech made . profound i'm
preston on the Senate.
Following the conclusion Of Mr.. Roots speech.
Senators Bailey. Hepburn. ard Paynter defended
the report Of the Committee On Privileges and
Elections. of which they are members, and de-
ciared that the testimony before the committee
showed that Senator Losimer entitled to his
seat Senator Bailey replied that if Mr.. Lorimer
was to be excluded account of general cuf-
rupt conditions in Illinois politics. then his CO
league Senator Cullom. would probably be sub
jecs to the same rRooeS Of elimination. for it
could probably be shown that the legislature
which elected him was also corrupt Mr.. Bailey's
remark was called out by an observation OF Sena-
tor Hale that the testimony in the Lorimer case
showed a shocking condition Of corruption in the
Illinois legislature.
controversy which arose Thursday over the legs-
latire right Of way was resumed Senator Nei-
son, # Minnesota. moved that the Senate pro-
ceed TO the consideration Of the bill authorizing
a leasing of coal lands in Alaska. Senator
Borah, Of Idaho. moved to lay the motion on the
table. but his motion defeated on roll call.
The Senate took up the onsidezation d the
ALASKA BILL but before it had proceeded far Sena-
tnr Warren, Of Wyoming, moved that when the
Senate adjourned for the day it Be to meet on
Monday. On a .oll call this motion Was defeated
BY vote Of 20 to IS. the Democrats and insu
gents and some ess-s. regular Republicans vot-
ing with Senator Bneaf in opposition to Sena-
ton Warren's motion. It was evident that the
Democrats and insurgent Republicans had an OBJ
Ject in votin: down the motion to adjourn over.
for Immediately after the result was announced
Senator Borah moved TO procned Immediately TO
the consideration of a resolution providing for
the election Of United States Senators by popu-
lar vote. The effect Of the adoption Of this mo
tion world hare been 40 drplae the Alaskan
coal lands bill - the unfinished business of the
Senate and to give to the resolution relatinG TO
popular election d Senators the legislative right
OF way over all other matters
Before Senator BHahs motion could he nut
Senator Penrusr. Of PENNSYLVANIA. submitted
privileged question in a motion to proceed to
executive session. On this roll call de-
manded. and the struggle between the regular
Republicans. on one hand. and the Democrats
and inSIrgent Republicans the other.
neWed There considerable interest as the
roll call Progressed, but it was soon evident that
the Senate was unwilling to go into executive
session. and that the insurgents and Democrats
were in control. Senator Penrnse's motion was
voted down BY vote of 40 TO e.
Then the question recTrred Senator Bosah's
motion to take up the question Of popular elec
lion oi cenatofs- AT thls phnt Senaih hae on
Maine came forward with a suggestion that it
was evident that the Senate was in a mood to
dispace the Alaskan coal lands bill and make
the resolution providing for the popular elec~
ton of Senators the unfinished business. He
asked Senator Borah to assure him that ample
time would be given TO speeches the ques-
tior. and Senator Rorah accorded. Then. at the
suggestion Of Mr. Hale. the roll call was dis
pensed with. with the consent Of Senator Borah,
ard the Senate by viva voce vote displaced the
Alaskan bill and made the popular election Of
Senators the unfinished business.
The Senate then agreed to adjourn over until
Monday. after a brief executive session. In the
executive session several nominations were cpn-
fiuped. including those Of Alfred NJ. Dalrynple.
collector Of customs for Newark. n. J.. and
Col. William p. Biddle to be a major general
III the United States Marine Corps and coIn-
mander Of the corps.
The Senate adjourned At $50 p. N. to meet 1t
noon Monday.