The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-08
SENATORS DECLARE REVOLT. |.
NINE WILL VIOLATE RULE OF
SECRECY BECAUSE OF DAN
IEL'S CONFIRMATION.
Led by La Toilette, Handful of Re-
publicanS and One Bull Moose An
nOuncc Intention Of Violating
Pledge of CCnfidcncc-Claim AD-
pOintces' Views UnsOund on Land
Values.

Values.
Washington, April 3.-Nine MEM
bers Of the senate, headed by Sena-
tor La Toilette, openly revolted
against proceedings behind closed
doors tonight after an executive ses-
sion in which the senate, by vote
of SO to p, confirmed the nomina-
ton Of Winthrop NJ. Daniels of New
Jersey to be member of the inter-
state commerce commission. Senator
La Toilette declared on the floor that
he proposed to defy the rules Of the
senate in future and discuss publicly
legislation not affecting foreign rela-
tions, and later il was announced that
Senators BristOw, Cummins, Clapp,
(Republicans), and PoindeXter (Pro-
gressive) would maintain the same
attitude. The revolt caused a sensa-
ton and there was much speculation
as to the effect it would have on fu-
ture executive sessions. The genera!
opinion was that there would be no
attempt to take action against men,
bers who disregard the rule Of Sc
crecy.
Confirmation Of Commissioner Dan
iels closed a three-day fight marked
by one Of the bitterest debates heard
at the capitol in years. Both sides
lrontested detcrminedly, Mr.. Dan
fels' advocates having the support Of
President Wilson's we'll known desire
that his appointee and personal
friend be confirmed without delay.
Opponents to the confirmation,
based their objection on the grounds
that Mr.. Daniels views on the valua-
ton of public service properties were
unsound, as during the two preceding
Gays senator's continued to insist that
FMr. Daniels ideas, as expressed In
1.-The decision of the New Jersey pub
ieac service commission cf which he
was chairman, on the PaSsaic gas
case, would make him dangerous as a
member of the interstate commerce
commission at time when the COM
mission was fixing valuation on rail
road property
Senator Hughes of New Jersey.
called back from congressional
fight in his State, spoke at length
in support Of Mr.. Daniels, and was
joined by Senators Newlands, chair
man of the interstate commerce COM
mittce; Pitman and Williams.
The opposition was nettled by the
patching up Of the split in the Demo-
cratic ranks over night. They con-
Sentcd to pOStponemcnt of a vote yes
tcrday. when victory apparently was
in sight, to allow Democratic sena-
tors TO talk with the president about
withdrawing Mr.. Daniels name after
the nomination had been rccommit-
tod. They denounced the dctermina-
ton of Democratic leaders after a
visit to the White House to force a
vote on confirmation as little short
of bad faith.
The senate voted down motion
to remove the pledge of secrecy as
to the session and Immediately be-
gan consideration of another nomina-
ton behind closed doors
Discussing the matter after adjourn
mcnt, Senator La Toilette said:
Il told the senate l considered it
q mistake to have considered the
nomination behind closed DOORS as
| so regarded the consideration behind
closed doors Of all matters connected
with legislation because the commits
sion construes the legislation we pass.
[ serve notice that if there was a
rule of the senate which prevented
me from discussing the matter pub
licly, l could no longer feel myself
bound to observe it, and was ready
tion."
Senator Clapp said that executive
sessions, except TO consider mat
ters of great public danger, were GER
tain to be abolished before long
I'm a great crisis there would be
no trouble in keeping the proceedings
secret" he added but in matter such
as nominations the public is entitled
lie will! know if some Of us have our
way about it,