Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-09-11
Burst of Applause Sweeps
Crowded Galleries and
Floor of Senate.
TWO VOTES ARE A SURPRISE
La Toilette, Republican, and
POindeXter, Progressive,
Align Themselves with
the Democrats.


tariff revision bill passed the Senate at
b:43 o'clock this afternoon by A yeas to
81 nays amid n burst of applause that
swept down from crowded galleries and
found its echo on the crowded floor of
the Senate. Its passage was attended
with surprises in the final moments Of
the voting when Senator La Toilette, re-
publican, cast his vote with the demo-
\ Gratis and was Joined few moments later
by Senator Poindexter progressive.
The democrats had counted throughout
the long tariff fight upon losing the votes
of Senators Ransdell and Thornton of
. Louisiana, democrats, who voted against
the bill to-day because 1t would put sugar
, on the free list. Until the names OF SEN
Rtors La Toilette and Poindexter were
actually called, however, no one knew
tdefinitely the stand they would take and
s1heir votes were greeted with enthusi-
Astc applause.
President Wilson tonight expressed
great qualification over the end of the long
struggle In the Senate. Senator Simmons,
chairman of the finance committee. who
bad piloted the bill through the finance
pommittee the democratic caucus and
the Senate, predicted that Its passage
would bring Immediate stimulus to the
business of the country.
AS il passed the Senate the tariff bill
represents an average reduction of more
ahan four per cent. from the rates Of
The original bill that passed the House,
and nearly 20 per cent, from the rates
OF the existing law.
NOW GOES TO CONFERENCE.
In many important particulars the Sem
ate has changed the bill that passed
the House and conference committee
of the two Houses will begin work We'd
nesday or Thursday to adjust these diff
serences. Leaders of both Houses predict
that the conference will consume less
Bhan two weeks time.
The final struggle began nj four o'clock
when under the previous agreement ar
btrary votes began on pending amend
nents. During the closing hours of de-
bate Senator La Toilette had been the
center of interest proposing final amend
ments on the cotton and agricultural
schedules and discussing some features of
the bill which he deemed favorable
1t was nearly $50 O'Clock when tho
vice-president put the bill upon it's pass
age. The roll call proceeded deliberately
until the clerk called la Toilette"
The Wisconsin senator hesitated
moment His head was bowed and
resting on his hand lie leaned for
ward a trifle and then vigorously
answered AYE"
instantly applause broke from the
galleries and senators on the demo-
cratic side Joined In enthusiastic hand
b clappinE in the brief but vigorous
demonstration. When Senator Poindex-
Ter. the only progressive senator, con-
tributed his vote for the bill the APP
plause was renewed.
LA FOLLETTE'S EXPLANATION.
After the vote Senator La Follette
+ said y realize what I did was a
political sacrifice, but that within me
Iompollcd me TO vote for the bill The
tariff act of 1909 was but little short
Of crime; the bill passed to-day is
not democratic measure but it is n
protective measure. Free wool and
! free sugar We're determined upon out
side the finance committee. Give the
democrats time and they will put every
! thing on a free trade basis, but they
have not done it in this bill"
Senator PoindeXter said: Il voted for
the bill because it is, as whole bet
ter than the Payne -Aldrich law, now
in force. Furthermore it contains an
income tax which we have been try
ting TO get for 20 years"
When the vote had been announced Sen
,ator Gallinger of New Hampshire, the
Header of the minority was recognized
end he congratulated Senator Simmons
flor his Courageous, kindly and consid-
Nerate manner in the conduct of the de-
ibate.
hn ttcn1 l., 1.,.7
Nts management has been in every way
tcreditable to the majority and em!nently
tair to the minority"
Senator Simmons said tonight: There |
has been some stagnation of business in |
the country pending the action of tho
Senate. Now l believe that there will be
an immediate stimulus to business, and
Chat in the end we will have better times |
3n this country"
HARD TASK FOR THORNTON.
Just before the voting on amendments |
1began Senator Thornton Of Louisiana.
who was about to desert his colleagues
pm the roll call. arose
1T Is hard for me to vote against
this BILL" said the Louisiana senator
ut Is party measure by the party with |
which ! cast allegiance 4G years ago If |
IS harder stlll that / am forced to vote |
against It; because my own party seeks |
now to strike vital blow against the |
great sugar industry OF my State"
The senator said he was charged |
with duty from his State higher than
any duty he owned to the Democratic |
party. Free sugar. the senator con- |
c1uded, would destroy the sugar indus |
try of Louisiana and deliver the Am |
erlcan people into the hands IF a ra |
pacious trust"
One important change, made on the |
recommendation of the finance COM
mittee. gives the secretary of the |
treasury powers to censor all moving |
picture films imported.
Senator James, acting for the finance |
committee, secured the adoption of an |
amendment modifying the provision of |
the bill that authorized the secretary |
of the treasury ana collector of inter-
nal revenue to employ income tax Of
hcials without regard to the civil serv-
Ice laws The new provision leaves 1t |
optional with the officials as to wheth-
or they will take employees from the |
list OF civil service eligibles.
KEEPS PRINCIPAL FEATURES.
The tariff bill as It passed the Sem
Me to-day retained the principal