The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-08-25
SENATE BLOCKED
BY OIL SCANDAL
Because Roosevelt Demands oppor
tunity to Refute Archbold Testi-
mony, Congress Couldn't
Adjourn.
FIL1BUsTER DEVELOPED
Idaho Statesman Objects to Senate
Committee Probing In the
Sewer Of Political
Progress.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.l
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24.-Theo-
dore Roosevelt demanding an oppor-
tunity to refute. under oath, the tes-
timony of John p. Archbold, pro-
posed probe of alleged Standard Oil
contributions to campaign funds
since 1904, blocked business in the
senate this afternoon and delayed
adjournment of congress tonight.
A spirited filibuster developed over
consideration of Senator Penrose's
resolution demanding that the senate
committee which is now investigat-
ing campaign contributions In 1904
and 1908 take special cngnizance or
his statements on the senate floor on
Wednesday of the Standard Oil com
pany's contributions to the Rooseve
campaign fund of 1904 that Roose
welt knew OF this transaction; that
he sought to cover 1t up by subse-
quently writing letters instrnctine
his campaign manager not to receive
Standard Oil money and that the
| Standard OIL company was asked fol
1 another contribution of s150,0oo.
Senator Poindexter of Washington
a Roosevelt supporter called up Pen
roses resolution. 1t was ON his de
mand that the measure was amended
/ so as to authorize probe of all II
nancial transactions and correspon
dence between Anhbold and mem
bers of congress to date from 1901
and to permit employment OF attor
neys by the committee.
Senator Hepburn of Idaho protest
ed against senate committee prob
ing "in the sewer of political con
tests"
"It is not proper now to assassi
nate Mr.. Roosevelt's character fol
acts committed when he WAS presi
dent" Hepburn asserted. IT ha,
gone to the country that the republi
can party was guilty of crimes whel
1t accepted money necessary TO
] legitimate campaign expenses. CAM
/ followers do not constitute the repuh
A lican party. The responsible body o
the party shall not be held account
I able under the assertions made ol
i this floor Opening up Of this mat
ter would be an act 6 vandalism
4 never before witnessed.
!. Hepburn bitterly criticised Per
rose for "heaping abuse on men VIII
Z, could not be present to defend then
selves" and denied the jurisdictio
of the senate to investigate the issue
"The senate should not go on
man hunt he insisted.
Senator Bailey OF Texas, declare
that any plan for an investigation q
the means whereby president wa
elected was unconstitutional. II
strenuously opposed the Penrost
Poindexter plan.
Senator Williams of Mississippi, as
serted that the issue of veracit
should be settled for the benefit c
the country.
'If what Mr.. Roosevelt says abor
Mr.. Penrose is true" he said, M
Penrose deserves to be removed fror
the senate; if what Mr.. Penrose say
about Mr.. Roosevelt is true, M
, Roosevelt is eneligible for re-electio
! as president.
Penrose interrupted to declare ths
the receipt of the money was *
j, denied but the issue was whethe
( Roosevelt purposely tried to make
appear that he had ordered the retur
!, of Standard Oil contributions aftt
: those contributions had been recei
ed and spent.
), The wrangle continued until it W.
finally decided to hold brief exec
tive session. Hepburn was still mi
! tantly fighting the plan when this a
! tion was ordered, and he indicate
Z that he would resume the fight whit
r the resolution was again brought u
r About the time recess was take
r Colonel Roosevelt in Oyster Bay W
t filing a telegram to Serator Clapp
r sisting that he should be permit
to appear before the senate comm
tee on Monday and reply to Archbc
j. and Penrose. What the effect of II