The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-01

Washington. March 3i.-The ma
tional House Of Representatives to-
night. after one of the most
spectacular Legislative struggles in the
history of the nation. voted to repeal
tho provision of the Panama Canal act
exempting American vessels from the
payment OF tolls. The vote on the re-
elghtysiX votes. in support OF the per-
sonal plea of Woodrow Wilson, presi-
dent OF the United States.
This verdict the issue which had
absorbed Congress for many. weeks
came at the close Of a stirring day,
House by n party division, which found
Speaker Champ Clark, Majority Leader
Underwood and other Democratic chief
latter had declared vital TO his con-
duct OF the nations foreign policy
Goes 10 Senate To-Day.
To-day's result was the first struggle
within the party since Democracy took
To-morrow the bill goes to the senate.
where tho fight will be renewed with
tended it in the lower House.
the House stood by the President. Civ
he had asked FOR the honor of the Ea
tion" in It's foreign relations: Twenty
Fifty-two Democrats followed Speaker
Clark and Leader Underwood to defeat.
tide OF administration success. Speaker
Clark for nearly twenty-five years u
essf on his life to 1 forestai % What What he he termed
"unquestionable degradation" of the
nation. In this he failed. but he did
kindly words for his adversaries.
praise for, President Wilson; and an
unqualified denial of any vaulting am
billion OH his own behalf.
Wilson Makes No Comment.
President Wilson was at dinner when
ment.
In the senate the bill will be re-
oceanic Canals, of which Senator oGor-
man. of New York, 4 vigorous oppo-
aent Of the measure. is chairman. Sem
ator O,Gorman has said he would call
a meeting OF the committee immedIate-
ly. to consider the bill. That there
VII be a fight in the committee is GER
tain. Senator Owen is leading the
fight for the President there.
The committee will have many pro-
Of compromise, some resembling IL mo-
ton OF the House minority to-day to
Iecommit the repeal hill. and to repeal
ton that the United states should have
complete sovereignty over the canal.
This motion in the House was defeated
the aim OF administration Senators to
have the repeal reach it's final vote
Wltnln TWO tnree weeks.
Scene Is Unprecedented.
Washington, March 3r.-The scene
Clark yielded the gave! to Representa-
tive Underwood. the majority leader,
10 defend his course in the great con-
the history OF American legislation.
Never before. within the recollcc-
titn of the oldest member, had the
Galleries been so packed with inter-
eSted spectators. Outside the gal
leries the corridors were jammed with
disappointed hundreds. on the :locr
Even the Senate had adjourned, and
scores sec ESQ of Senators occupied seats on
setting that this throng witnessed.
:, Standing before them. while Repub-
lean and Democratic members cheered
him to the echo, was, the sturdy, big
framed. silver haired Speaker, with
resolution beaming on his countenance,
his hi thin lips clenched lightly, his face
for order. was Mr.. Underwood There
they were awaiting the climax of the
Democratic party. heading the first re-
volt In the party ranks since Demo-
eT9Gy T7,,so Put Pqt,,N Woodrow wilson in the
who for the first time had turned their
backs on their Immediate leaders and
stood resolutely by the President
at the scene.
Interest Is Tense.
Ihe interest was tense as Speaker
clark began to speak, and his first
ntterance. ut t.,,a. breathing spirit OF
surtng the country that the President,
and he personally were at peace. seem
ed to spread over the assemblage--
particularly the Democratic side OF tho
House-a feeling OF relief.
At the outset the Speaker read his
address. but soon he got into his old
time oratorical swing. and was ham
mering home with sweeping gestures
his deliberately delivered words. When
he praised the patriotic motives OF
President Wilson. he was interrupted
by applause. His emphatic declara-
tion that with those who charged him
with attempting to disrupt the party
the wish was father to the thought
the floor. II
The Speaker minced no words as hs
attacked newspapers. which no de-
clared had assailed him In this fight,
and in referring to the charge that hS
was boiling the President he ex-
"Nierclful Cod What an idiotic
phrase" 5lSss9
Throughout the speech there was not (