Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-04
Direct Election. of Senators
Made Unfinished Business.
SKIlLFUL TACTICS WIN
Combination of Insurgents, Demo-
Gratis and Some Regulars Turn
Apparent Defeat Into Victory.

4 vote in the Senate on the direct cleo
ton of senators before the present session
of Congress is many weeks older is the
indication today.
Thanks to Senator Borah of Idaho. the
resolution for direct election of senators
has now the most advantageous position
on the legislative calendar, being the I'M
finished business. 1t was put into that
position yesterday afternoon by a series
of rapidly executed parliamentary tao
tics. Under the leadership of Senator
Borah combination of insurgents and
democrats, assisted by a handful of usu-
ally regular republicans, checkmated ev-
cry effort of those opposed to direct cleo
ton of senator's and finally rode over
them amid their admissions of defeat.
Two speeches on direct elections are
now scheduled-by Senator Lodge of
Massachusetts and Senator Root of New
York-and others are expected within the
near future. Senator Borah has an
nounced he will strive to give all who
wish it an opportunity to speak. but will
press the matter to an early vote.
Defeat Turned Into Victory.
II was after the efforts of those friend
ly to the direct election of senators had
apparently been defeated that victory
finally came to them. 4 fight over the
making of the direct election resolution
the unfinished business of the Senate was
expected during the early part of yester-
day afternoon, and ii was arranged to
begin 1t just as soon as the speech or
Senator Root and the discussion of the
Lorimer case had been dropped for the
day.
AS Senator Heybur closed a brief speech
in defense of Mr.. Lorimer'S election both
Senator Nelson and Senator ROr3 IN tumD-
ed to their feet and asked recognition
of the chair. Senator Nelson desired to
get the Alaskan coal lands bill made the
unfinished business and Senator Borah
wanted the direct election resolution put
in that advantageous position. Senator
Nelson was recognized by Vice President
Sherman, and moved that the Alaskan
bill be taken up.
Senator Borah then began the fight that
was ultimately to be victorious for the
direct elections resolution. He moved that
the motion Of Mr. Nelson be laid on the
table, and he called for a roll call on
his motion. Every one recognized the
vote as test of strength Mr.. Borahs
motion was defeated, however. by a vote
of 36 to Al. Mr.. Nelson's motion was
then adopted without a roll call, and it
seemed that the direct election resolution
had received a big setback.
When Senator Nelson completed brief
statement of the objects of the Alaska
bill Senator Warren obtained the floor
and moved that when the Senate adjourn
ed it adjourn until Monday. Mr.. Borah
charged 1t was a move that showed
disposition of some senators not to vote
on the resolution fo- direct election OF
senator's at this session. and continuing
his fight for the resolution demanded a
yea and nay vote on the motion to ad-
journ over until Monday.
This time Senator Borah and his sup
porters were victorious. the vote being
"a to So. Democrats and insurgents voted
may
Senate Supports Borah.
Flushed with that victory. Senator
Borah moved that the Senate take up the
direct election resolution. 1t was bold
move, but it was felt by those in favor Of
the direct election proposition that it
would practically result in roll call on
that proposition
Senator Penrose tried to elbow out the
persistent Mr.. Borah by motion that
the Senate go into executive session,
motion always in order Mr.. Borah was
still fighting persistently, however, and
again he demanded a roll call. The mo-
ton for an executive session was lost,
81 to 40, the friends of direct election win
ning.
Senator Hale was quick to see the out
come and threw up the sponge.
THE Senate will evidently vote to take
up the joint resolution which will make
it the unfinished business remarked the
Maine senator. land / can see no point
in making fruitless objections to the evil
dent desire of the Senate"
The opponents of direct election had
admitted defeat at this time and they
yielded gracefully. The resolution was
made unfinished business on viva voce
vote. Then and not until then did Sena-
tor Borah yield to the request for an ad-
journment over until Monday.
The passage of the direct election reso-
luton by the Senate, however, is not as
sured by yesterdays proceedings. how
ever encouraging they are to its friends
1t will require twO-thirds vote to carry
1t and there was not a tWo-thirds vote
to take it up. Its friends have for a
long time been DESTROYS of getting a roll
call directly on the proposition, however,
and that object now seems to be within
their grasp.