The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-13
DEMOCRATIC MEASURE RE.
CEIVES FORTY-FOUR VOTES
FOR AND THIRTY-SEV.
EN AGAINST PAS.
SAGE.
La Toilette and POindcxter. Progress
sives Republicans, Vote for Bill
and Two Louisiana Senators Vote
Against 1t. Conference Committee
Appointed by Vice President Sher-
man.

senate at SAB o'clock this afternoon
amid burst of applause that swept
down from crowded galleries and
found it's echo on the crowded floor
Of the senate. It's passage was at
| tended with surprises in the final mo
ments Of the voting when Senator g
Toilette (Republican) cast his =
with the Democrats and was io
few moments later by Senat 4
dexter Progressive.)
Until the names Of Senators La Fol-
lette and POindeXter were called no
one knew definitely the stand they
would take and their votes were
greeted with 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 piloted the bill
through the finance committee. the
Democratic caucus and the senate,
predicted it's passage would bring i'm
mediate stimulus to the commercial
life of the country.
| AS it passed the senate the tariff
bill represents an average reduction
of more than per cent from the
rates Of the original bill that passed
the house and nearly SO per cent
from the rates of existing laws.
In many important places the sem
ate has changed the bill that pass,1
the house and conference commit
tee Of the two houses will begin work
! ing Wednesday or Thursday to adjust
differences. Leaders of both houses
! predict that the conference will con,
sumo less than two weeks time.
The senate named its members Of
the conference committee as soon as
the bill passed.
Vice President Marshall appointed
Senator'S Simmons, Stone, Williams
and Johnson (Democrats) and Sena-
tors Penrose, Lodge and La Toilette
! Okepubicans).
Senator Stone withdrew from the
committee and Senator Shivley was
appointed in his place. The house con-
ferees, it was reported tonight, will
be Representatives Underwood, Kitch-
in and Rainey CDemocrats) and Payne
and Fordney (Republicans).
The final struggle began at 4 o'clock
when under previous agreement
votes began on the pending amend
ments During the closing hours Of
debate SeantOr La Toilette had be-
come the centre of interest, proposing
final amendments on the cotton and
agricultural schedules and discussing
some features Of the bill he deemed
favorable. 1t was nearly $50 o'clock !
when the vice president put the hill
upon its passage.
The roll call proceeded deliberately
II
The Wisconsin senator, seated in the
front row, hesitated moment. His
head was bowed and resting on his
hand. He leaned forward q trifie and
vigorously answered, Aye"
Instantly applause broke from the
galleries and senators on the Demo
cratic side joined in hand clapping. |
When the name of Senator Poindex-
ter, the only Progressive senator, was
reached and he had contributed his
vote for the bill the applause was re-
neWed.
Tonight Senator La Toilette had
few words to say of his vote, after
many Democratic senators visited his !
desk and shook his hand.
Il realize what l did was a political
sacrifice but that something within !
me compelled me to vote for the bill |
The tariff act of 1909 was but little |
short Of a crime; the bill passed today
is not a Democratic measure but is n
protective measure. Give the Demo-
Gratis time and they will put everything
on free trade basis, but they have
not done it in this bill.'
Senator PoindeXter said of his vote:
Il voted for the senate tariff bill
because ii is as a whole a better bill
than the Payne Aldrich law now AZ
force. Furthermore, ii contains an
income tax which we have been trying
To get for 20 years"
When the vote had been announced
Senator Gallnger of New Hampshire,
leader of the minority, congratulated
senator Simmons for his courteous.
kindly and considerate manner" in
the conduct of the debate.
The bill itself is bad" he said.
Int its management has been i'm
every way creditable to the majority