Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-05-14
WARM FIGHT ON
MAMIE Of HARRIS
SENATE REPUBLICAN, BITTERLY
OPPOSE AN APPOINTMENT
or WILSON.
PREVENT A CONFIRMATION
Leaders Claim They VIII Keep Up
tho Iight Inlll After
First of July.

WASHlNGTC & May 49, Senate
republicans hes their first big fight
ON President W MS nominations to-
night when the appointment Of W.
j. Harris of q sgia. ns director Of
the census sue : ling r. Dana Du-
rand, was taken - In executive SEES
sion. For near = We hours. the sen
ate played at - purposes ON the
Harris nomlnatl . without entering
into II discussion 2 the merits OF the
Case.
The republicans forced roll call aft
er roll call on questions Of procedure
and In support of tactics which the
democrats termed dilatory. Motiona
to put the nomination over until to-
morrow until Friday and until next
week were put and defeated and fn-
ally when the membership had dwin-
died down to almost nothing, ad-
journmcnt was taken until tomorrow
at noon, with the Harris nomination
Just where 1t was when the doors
We're closed shortly before o'clock,
A Long filibuster.
Republican leaders have served no.
tice that they expect to keep up the
fight against the confirmation OF
Harris until July !. at least, when
Mr.. Durand has announced his inten-
ton to quit, Under the senate rules,
there IL no question Of their ability
to hlibuster to their hearts content,
and If they are willing to go into
long executive sessions day after day,
they can prevent confirmation as long
as their talking powers last.
During the debate tonight an un-
yoke the famous Reed rule" by
which members present In the cham
Der, but not voting, were counted In
an attempt to disclose quorum
This innovation brought forth more
speeches and before the session end
ed, most OF the democrats and "A
large part of the republicans had
spoken. although none touched on
the nomination itself.
A minority report against Harris
was filed by Senator Townsend and
Senators La Toilette and Cummins.
also OF the census committee. SEN
ator Burton and other republicans
were interested In the case. Senator
Burton declared after the debate had
proceeded for several hours that he
was willing to review the history OF
census from the present day to the
time Of Babylon before he would see
Harris confirmed. Mr. Burton was
strongly OF the opinion that Mr.. Du-
rand should have been allowed to
serve out his term.
Requires Qualifications.
The republican fight centers largely
on the contention that offices requir-
Ing technical knowledge OF scientific
attainments should not bo given as
political rewards. but that qualiica-
tons and experience should be the
only yardstick. While no charges
have been made against Mr.. Harris.
the republicans claimed he was not
30 well qualified by experience at
least. to hold the office as was Mr..
Durand. Mr.. Harris was chairman
Of the democratic state executive
committee of Georgia in the last
campaign and Is known as an original
Wilson man. His appointment was
one OF the early ones to important
Offices sent in by President Wilson,
Republicans Of the census commit
tee served notice almost Immediately
after the appolntent that they expect
ed to fight his confirmation. Efforts
were made by democrats who wished
to smooth out the dhnculties to have
Mr. Durand retained in office until
July |, but at "a meeting of the com
mittee ten days ago the nomination
was ordered reported by majority
vote. Senator Townsend. the only re-
publican present. voting against IT,
and throwing down the gauge of bat
tie for the minority side.
Longest In Years.
The fight today began Immediately
after the executive session was order
ed at the request Of Senator Bacon
Such persistent opposition to any one
presidential nomination has not been
manifested in the senate for many
years. Hundreds of former President
Tafts appointments were held up
during the closing days Of the last
session. but attacks were not direct
ed toward any individual nomination
and at no time did the senate spend
so many hours behind closed doors
in the discussion Of such appoint
ments The last long struggle over a
nomination recalled by senator's to-
night was that over the appointment
OF Leonard Wood. now major general
and chief Of STAFF Of the army when
he was jumped over the heads Of
scores of men who had served many
years longer than he In the army
Geenral Wood finally was confirmed
after the senate chamber had over
flowed with oratory against him and
In his support.