The Washington herald., 1913-02-20
RIDINGOVERYETO
FAILS In HOUSE
immigration Bill Falls Short
Six Votes Of Two-thirds Ma
jority in Lower Body.
PARTY LINES ARE BROKEN
Indications Point to Another Fight on
Same Lines in the New
Administration.

Another burden was added to the Will
son administration when the House yes
terday refused to pass the immigration
bill with the illiteracy test over Presi-
dent Taft's veto. The Senate has over
ridden the Presidents objections by a de-
cisive vote, and yesterdays action by the
House means I Il the bill is lost until
1t comes up again in the Wilson admin
iStration.
Gov. Wilson's written views on immi-
grants c&used him more troubl. in the
campaign than anything else. and his
friends had hoped that the imn.igra ton
bill would be disposed of finally before
March t. They are certain now that the
calling up of the measure after March
will intensity the feeling against Mr.
Wilson on this score and lead to a re-
newal of political attacks
Strenuous efforts We're made by the
advocates OF the legislation TO swing into
line sufficient number of members to
make the bill law. despite the disap-
proval of Mr.. Taft. They failed TO carry
tn -ir point by a narrow margin, the
vote being 213 to ia in favor of over
riding the veto.
Those who wanted to pass the bill in
the face of the veto fell just six votes
short OF the necessary two-thirds. No
question considered at this session has
stirred up more trouble than the immI-
grafton bill. 1t was bitterly fought in
tne Senate. and just as bitterly contested
in the House.
All morning the opponents and pro-
pOnents of the legislation in the House
were busy lining up their followers, and
the roll call was followed with intense
interest. Neither side to the controversy
knew at the beginning Of the roll call
precisely what the outcome would be,
although both claimed victory.
Partisan Lines Wiped Out.
The House did not divide along parti-
san lines, although the Democratic lead
ers kept their forces pretty well in hand
in support Of the motion to override the
veto. such regular Republicans as Uncle
Joe Cannon of Illinois. Representative
Dalzell of Pennsylvania. and Representa-
tive Payne of New York joined with In
surgents MurdOCk of Kansas. Davis of
Minnesota, and Norris of Nebraska in
voting to make the bill "A law despite
the veto
The failure 10 put the immigration bill
through the House was a great disap-
pointmCnt Ia Democratic leaders, tine
common gossip around the Capitol for
week or more having been that Presi-
dent-elect Wilson was desirous of having
the question disposed of by this Com
gress.
Representative James NJ. Curley. of
Massachusetts, leader Of the opposition TO
tn" immigration hill. made the following
Stat"mt mt last night:
The liberal spirit of Americanism in
its broadcast sense was manifested by the
House to-day in its vote to sustain the |
Presidents veto upon the immigration
lilI
Il desire to thank President TAFT. my /
colleagues in Congress. the press, the Ma
'IonaI Liberal immigration League. and .
All individuals and organizations who by /
their efforts have assisted in sustaining
the policy to which the greatness Of the /
republic car be traced.
1T removes the clouds which threat
en"d to gather and eXtinGuish those land
marks of American freedom. FaneuiI /
Hall in Boston and Independence Hall in
Philadelphia. and causes them to beam
forth hope and inspiration once more to
the oppressed ard downtrUdden seeking
liberty under the protecting folds Of Old
Glory"