The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-03-14
GEORGIANS were
THREE MUSKETEERS"

WASHINGTON, d. c., Special
Dlnner parties were raided, hotel lob
oies invaded, and many theater par
ties broken up last night as the re-
suit OF day-long filibuster against
the private pension bill in the House.
me sergeant at arms and his as
slStants were the raiders, and more
than eighty absent members were
haled before the House to record their
votes.
Representatives Roddenbery. Trib-
bic and Howard (Democrats), Of Geor-
gia, conducted the filibuster. They
contended that many items in the ON
nlbus measure were unfair, and an
nounced they would oppose their pas
sage even If il took all night" Lead
ers of the majority, including Major
ity Leader Underwood appealed to
them in vain TO abandon their op-
position.
Angry Members Jeercd.
Some OF the members appeared on
the scene at the House. after having
been seen by the sergeant at arms.
with eyes flashing anger. but many OF
tnSm seemed to look upon the occa- =
! sion as lark. These latter were not
at all abashed at being dragged to the.
Capitol. Those that took offense were
jeered.
Among those caught in the dragne ct
was Representative Mckinley. of I'LL
/ nois, director OF President Taft's cam
paign. The very last member TO loom
up in the lobby doorway, the only ac-
cessible entrance to the House cham
her-there were no eXits-was Repre-
sentative Ollie James, of Kentucky
who Is Speaker pro tempore in the
absence of Speaker Clark, who has
gone to Kentucky.
The House finally was able to mus
ter a quorum, and the three doughty
Georgians. who had held the whip
mana throughout the evening hours,
| were unceremOniously relieved At
S.8S O'Clock, after the previous ques-
/ 1ournment was taken. The bill will
be passed by the House today
Fought Alone for Hours
At the first Representative Rodden-
berry alone fought against the quick
| passage of the bill For several hours
he inveighed against it until he was
on the verge Of collapse. Then Mr..
Tribble and Mr.. Howard came 10 the
| rescue.
Every parliamentary method Of de-
lay and obstruction was employed un-
III the reading of the bill was com
pleted. Mr.. Roddenbery then endeav-
! oreo to have 1t referred to the COM
mittee without avail. and the measure
was advanced to the final stage OF
passage, when the Georgia member
submitted that quorum was not
present.
The steam roller" was brought out
at this juncture. and Representative
Dixon, OF Indiana, Democrat, who oc-
cupied the chair. did not hesitate.
Waving his gavel swiftly, over the
few members present, he said:
/ The chair sees lis members pres
ent. There is a quorum"
Mr.. Ro0denbery protested vainly.
When the bill passed into the open
House for passage, Mr.. Roddenbery
renewed his tactics. finally compell-
ing the Issue OF orders to the ser
geant-at-arms to bring in the alb
sentees.
| Sang Northern Songs.
| Waiting behind closed doors for the
absent members to be found, the House
amused itself with songs and jokes
The Northern Republicans and Demo
Gratis, nearly all of whom are in favor
OF the bill, got even with the hlibusters
| by singing every verse OF March
! ing Through Georgia." "renting on the
Old Camp Ground" "John Browns
| Body" and other wartime ballads. No
| apparent attention was paid to the
demonstration by the three musketeers
| from Georgia
| The flibusters protested that they
we're not opposed to pensioninE old
| soldiers, but declared that the pension
bill was a political measure. carrying
! pensions for many persons who did not
deserve aid from the government.