The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-31

weary members OF Congress and an
impatient President of the United
States today confronted an unpre-
cedented Governmental situation, fol-
lowing last nights prolonged and
fruitless struggle to adjourn the ses-
sion Of Congress. The outlook for to-
mOrrow's sessions Of the House and
Senate promised an even more chaotic
condition than obtained In the fight
that began Saturday morning and
continued until nearly church time
today.
Disguised with the adjournment
failure. many members Of the Sen
ate took early trains today for their
homes. Senator Penrose predicted
that there would be much less than
q quorum in the Senate when it meets
at noon tomorrow. House leaders
were satisfied that that body would
be nearly forty members short of the
number necessary to transact busi-
ness.
The double fiibuster, which COM
PEELED the abandonment Of the plan
to end the session Of Congress, is ex-
pected to be renewed when the House
| reconvenes. Senator LaFollette made
known to friends today that he would
| insist upon a record vote on the adop-
ton Of the Penrose resolution for in
vestigation of campaign contributions
of the Standard Oil company in 1904,
John D. Archbold. George w. Perkins
and members of Congress.
Senator Chamberlain, who led the
other Senate hlibuster. the object of
| which was to force the House to agree
to the payment of 100000 Of old
State claims. will have the support
Of many Senate Democrats If he re-
news his inslstence to hold Congress
until these claims are paid. The
| House leaders are determined to fight
the claims until December" If nec-
essary.
Either Of the Senate filibuster holds
trouble for any plan Of adjournment.
If Senator LaFollette should insist on
a record vote, 1t would become neces-
sary to secure a quorum. In such an
event he could hold the Senate indef-
! initely, because it would again be un-
able to make an adjournment agree
ment with the House.
The general deficiency appropriation
bill is agreed to on all points except
the 100000 Of claims, demanded by
Virginia. Maryland. Oregon and Tex
as. and the extra months pay for
employees of the. House and Senate.
Chairman Fitzgerald. of the House
conferees. renewed today his decla-
ration that under no circumstances
| would the House concede the pay
ment of any Of these.
IF the Senate insists on these items
in the bill it will force the measure
to go over until the December ses-
sion," he said. The House has an
nounced its attitude firmly, and soon.
er than see 1t yield on the items,
will raise the point Of no quorum"
Members know that 1t would be al.
most impossible to secure a quorum
now. except by the physical arrest OF
absent members. Senate leaders were
hopeful that the Senate might be in.
duced to yield on these claims.
The State claims which have arous
ed the resentment Of the House were
also added to the general deficiency
bill in the Senate. In the case Of the
Maryland claim of $4,000 and the
Virginia claim Of $4,000, house con.
ferees insist that the amount now de-
manded by those States, as loans
that were made to the Government in
1890 and 1871. actually were given to
the Government as an inducement 70,
the location of the national capitol ir
the present District Of Columbia.
The Texas claim Of $217,6933 is tC
reimburse the State for money il
spent from 1858 to 1861 in defence
Of the Texas frontier against Mexican
marauderS and Indian depredatOrs.'
The Oregon claim Of S193,543 is fol
the expense Of raising volunteers fol
"A bare quorum of Senators was ir
Washington up to the adjournment
failure this morning and less than &
quorum voted on each proposition
brought before that body during tn,
night,