The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-04-08
hOUSE With wilson
REPEAL OF FREE TOLLS Wins By
Vote OF 247 TO l6l
CLARK SPEAKS finely

Speaker Leads Opposition But Shows
Admirable Good Feeing-WIson's
Personal Appeal, Backed by the
Force of Reason, Sweeps Through
House of Representatives.
The NATIONAL House Of Representa-
tives Tuesday night, after one of the
most spectacular legislative struggles
In the history OF the nation. voted to
repeal the provision of the Panama
canal act exempting American yes
sells from the payment Of tolls. The
vote on the repeal bill was 247 to
161, a majority Of Sc votes in sup
port 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 stirring day,
made memorable in the annals Of the
House by a party division which
found Speaker Champ Clark, Majority
Leader Underwood and other Demo-
cratic chieftains lined up IN open op-
position with the president on an
issue which the latter has declared
essential to the conduct Of the ma
tons foreign policy.
Tuesdays result was the first strug-
gle within the party since Democracy
took control Of the government a
year ago. On the final vote 220
Democrats in the House stood by the
president, giving him in ''ungrudging
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 followed Speaker Clark
and Leader Underwood to defeat.
Nothing, it seemed, could stem the
tide Of administration success.
Speaker Clark, for nearly % years
member Of the House, made the
speech Of his life to forestall what he
termed "unquestionable degradation"
Of the nation. In this he failed, but
he did smooth over the party breach
with kindly words for his a6versaries,
praise for President Wilson, and an
unqualified denia! Of any vaulting am
bition on his own behalf. When he
had closed the debate for the opposi-
ton to the repeal the speaker was
triumphant in defeat, for the entire
legislative assem- bIage, in which were
many senators, rose en- masse to cheer
him.
The scene in the House chamber
when Speaker Clark yielded the gayel
to Representative Underwood, the
majority leader, to defend his course
in the great controversy probably was
unrivalled in the history Of Ameri-
can legislation. Never before within
the recollection Of the Oldest member
had the galleries been so packed with
interested spectators. Outside the bal
leries the corridors were jammed
with disappointed hundreds. On the
floor nearly every member was in his
seat. Even the Senate had adjourn
ed and scores Of senators occupied
seats on the floor.
It was rare political stage set
ting that this throng witnessed.
Standing before them while Demo-
Gratis and Republican members cheer
ed him to the echo was the sturdy,
big framed, silver haired speaker
with resolution beaming on his coun-
tenance, his thin lips clenched tight
ly, his face pale and stern. Behind
him. pounding for order, was Mt.
Underwood. There they were await
ing the climax Of the long debate,
these two leaders Of the Democratic
party, heading the first revolt in the
party ranks since Democracy put
Woodrow Wilson in the White House.
Even House Democrats who for the
first time had turned their backs on
their immediate leaders and stood
resolutely by the president through
out the fight were impressed at the
scene.
The interest was tense as Speaker
Clark began to speak, and his first
utterance, breathing a spirit of har-
mony as against discord and assuring
the country that the president and Re
personally were at peace, seemed to
spread over the assemblage, particu-
larly the Democratic side Of the
House a feeling of relief.
"There is no personal issue be-
tween the president and myself"
said the speaker and his voice was
drowned in a chorus OF Democratic
shouts while Republicans and Pro-
gressives soplauded.
At the outset the speaker read his
address, but soon he got into his old
time oratorical swing and was ham
nering home with sweeping gestures
his deliberately delivered words.
When he praised the patriotic mo-
tives of President Wilson, again was
he interrupted by applause. Upon
his emphatic declaration that with
those who charged him with attempt
ing to disrupt the party 'the wish
was father to the thought" not a
member on the floor bat applauded
him. Does any man in this House
believe the Democratic leaders are
working to split Democracy" the
speaker fairly howled as he leaned
toward the Democratic side and
looked into the faces Of his col
leagues.
"No! No." was the thunaerous re-
ply from every part Of the chal1b Der.
"Let him couraseous!y stand up
+bo