The Washington times., 1911-02-20
Continued from First Page.)

during the last six days, 1t neverthe-
! less requires a two-thirds vote to carry
it. The practice has been to bring in a
special rule to allow a majority to sus-
pend the rules during this period.
Indirect Way to Support.
When the beginning of the end of the
session came in sight, the Republican
organization was in such poor command
! of its forces that it could not muster
the votes to carry this special rule.
! Speaker Cannon and his immediate lieu
tenants were in no position to go out
seeking Democratic votes for such a
rule, and it became necessary to enlist
Democratic support by another ana more
indirect process.
Accordingly Representative Manu.
who plays the curious double role OF
Cannon lieutenant and yet thor
ough- going independent, started nj
ibuster against a measure in which
great number of Democrats were
deeply interested. This is the omni-
bus claims bill. The measure proposed
to pay the ancient French spoliation
I claims and also a large nHmner OF
Southern war claims. The Democrats
were in favor of the Southern war
claims, but not of the French spolia-
tion claims. Mr.. Mann took the Dem
oCratiC side, and announced undylng
hostility to the French spoliatton
claims. He succeeded finally in hav-
ing the spoliation claims cut out OF
the bill.
The purpose of all this maneuver-
ing, as now explained, was to get
the omnibus bill into such shape that
it would command n strong Demo-
cratic support in favor of a suspen-
sign rule.
Second Filiubster Started.
But before this had been accom-
plished Messrs. Gardner of Massachu-
setts Bennet of New oYrk, and Rob
erts of Massachusetts. who favor the
French spoliation claims. discovered
the drift and realized that their only
chance to save their interest in the
bill was to prevent the Mann project
from being executed. Accordingly
they superimposed filibuster of their
own IN favor of the French claims.
upon the Mann filibuster against
them Their filibuster was aimed to
get the French claims back into the
measure.
When the double-jointed filibuster
had served the purpose of convincing all
parties that drastic measures were nee
essary in order to get the appropria-
tionS passed, the organization leaders
began comforting with the Democrats.
in the effort TO frame rule that could
muster the necessary strength and be
adopted, clearing the way for the sup
ply measures. This was finally accom-
plished, in the gag measure that was
brought and, according to program,
adopted through combination of Re-
publican and Democratic votes.
Omnibus Bill Passed.
The rule adopted this afternoon
makes every day until March 4 a sus-
pension day, and requires that any
bill may pass upon a two-thirds vote
with forty minutes debate. and with
out amendment. The omnibus claims
bill came under the provision. and
was the first bill called up under the
new gag rule this afternoon.
After the required forty minutes de-
bate had elapsed. the omnibus claims
bill easily was passed by two-thirds
vote Messrs. Campbell and Bennett
wanted a roll call, but could not obtain
sufficient support TO order one.
The passage of the bill is a victory for
the Democrats, and partial victory
for Mr.. Mann, who conducted the long
contain the French spOliatiOn claim
which Mr.. Mann fought hardest 1t
does contain $500 in civil war claims
urged by the Democrats. Messrs. Gard
nor Bennet, and Roberts get all the dt-
Ictt out of tOday's action.
The hill passed by the House must
Eer. Rennet. and Roberts get all the de-
now - the Senate, inasmuch as the
ate bill in which the French SpCliatiOn
claims had been inserted. The full
fruits If the Democratic victory, there !
fore, depends upon the Senate's ac-
CCutanLe Of the House bill.
Representatives Bennet, Gardner. and
Roberts made an Intellectual attempt to
defeat the rule and continue the fill
buster. They were voted down-l73 to
I3-and the gag rule was adopted.
These three members started their fill |
buster Sunday morning at daybreak, |
when Mr. Mann partially lost interest
in his program because he had succeed !
ed in getting enough votes to strike out
the French claims. From that time Mr.. |
Mann's efforts were of "a positive char !
acter, as he was not so much opposed
to the Southern war claims as to the
French claims. Bennett, Gardner, and
Roberts, however, were most interested
NRINHEIrHN TAHIT