The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-01
MEMORABLE LEGISLATIVE
BATTLE COMES TO CLOSE
PARTY LINES OBLITERATED THE STRUGGLE AND 50 DEM
OCRATS DESERTED PRESIDENT WILSON WHILE 25 RE-
PUBLICANS AND PROGRESSVES VOTED WITH HIM
Speaker Clark Makes the Speech His Bill and
Creates Scene Unprecedented Hou-Senae Adourns Hear
Speech-Expected Attack President Failed Materiabe

WASHINGTON. March 31.-The
house OF representatives tonight
after one OF the most spectacular leg
islative struggles In the history OF
the nation. voted to repeal the pro-
vision OF the Panama canal act ex-
empting American vessels from the
payment of toll The vote on the
repeal bill was 247 to I6l. a majority
Of So votes in support of the personal
plea Of Woodrow Wilson. president
OF the United States
This verdict on the issue which
has absorbed congress for many
weeks came at the close OF a stirring
day, made memorable In the annals
of the house by a party division
which found Speaker Champ Clark.
Majority Leader Underwood and
other Democratic chieftains. lined up
In open opposition 10 the president
on an issue which the latter had de-
clared vital 10 his conduct OF the ma
ions foreign policy.
To-day's result was victory for the
administration In but the opening
stage OF the first struggle within the
party since Democracy took control
OF the government a year ago. For
tomorrow the bill goes to the senate
where the tight will be renewed with
all of the vigor. and determination
that attended IL in the lower house
On the final vote 220 Democrats
in the House stood by the President
giving him in ''ungTudging measure"
what he had asked for the honor OF
the nation" in It's foreign relations.
Twenty-Five Republicans and two
Progressives also voted TO sustain the
President Fifty-two Democrats fol-
lowed Speaker Clark and Leader I'm
derwood TO defeat in their steadfast
determination that the President was
wrong in his decision that toll ex-
uh fas
lation of the Hay Pauncefote treaty
with Great Britain.
Smoothed Ove- Party Breach.
Nothing. IL seemed, could stem the
tide of administration success.
Speaker Clark. for nearly twenty-five
years a member OF the House. made
the speech of his life to forestall
what he termed 'unquestionable
degredation" OF the nation. In this
party breach with kindly words for
his adveTsaries. praise for President
Wilson, and an unqualified denial OF
any Yaulting ambition on his own be-
half When he had closed the debate
for the opposition to the repeal with
an impassioned argument In which he
often departed from his prepared
speech. the speaker was triumphant
in defeat for the entire Legislative
assemblage, in which were many
Senators. rose enmasse TO cheer him.
President Wilson was at dinner
when the result Of the vote was an
nounced lie was gratihed but made
no comment.
In the senate the bill will be re-
ferred TO the committee on interocean-
ic canals. of which Senator O'Gorman,
of New York. a vigorous opponent Of
the measure, is chairman. Senator
OCorman mas said he would call a
meeting OF the committee at once Ia
consider the bill That there will he
n fight in that committee Is certain.
How long Il will be there cannot be
predicted but administration senators
propose that vote shall be taken by
the committee within reasonable
time Senator Owen Is leading the
fight for the president here.
Many Proposals.
The committee will have many pro-
posals before IT, several OF them in
the nature OF compromises. some Of
them resembling motion OF the
house minority today 10 recommit the
repeal bill and TO repeal the eXemp-
tion clause with a declaration that
the United States should have com
plete sovereignty over the canal. This
motion in the house was defeated BY
vote OF 232 10 176. 10 will be the
aim Of administration senator's TO have
the repeal reach its final vote within
two or three weeks.
Scene Onrivailed.
The scene In the house chamber
when Speaker Clark yielded the gavel
10 Representative Underwood. the ma
Jority leader. and strOde 10 the well
before the dais 70 defend his course
in the great controversy probably was
unrivalleu In the history of American
legislation. Never before within the
recollection Of the oldest member had
the galleries been 30 packd with in
terest spectators Outside the CALLER.
les The corridors were iammed with
disappOintef hundreds ON the floor
nearly every member was in his seat
EVon the senate had adjourned and
scores Ot senators occupied seats on
the floor
10 was a rare political stage settling
That this tnr0ng Witnessed Stand.
lnR before them. while Republican and
Democratic members cheered him to-
rhe echo was the sturdy. biz framed
Alver haired Speaker with resolution
bAamlng on his cOuufeuauco. his Thin
ms elenched tightly. bis face pale and