Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-04
STONE DENOUNCES
SEVEN DEMOCRATS
BOLTING SHIP BILL
Missouri Defender Of Administra-
ton Measure Declares They
Conspired with Repub-
lican Enemies.
SPRING COMPLETE SURPRISE
Clarke Of Arkansas, Leader of Re-
volt, Scored for 'Perfidy" After
Being Honored. 4
TRYING TO UNHoRsE THE PARTY

WAShlNGTON, Fep. o.--Wn men tne aQ-
ministration democrats in the senate got
ready to recommit the shipping bill with
instructions for report with the caucus
amendments, they found themselves In a
minority and began maneuvering to pre-
vent a vote on Senator clarke's original
motion TO recommit without instructions.
A hurried conference OF administration
democrats agreed that Senator Stone
should begin a speech. How long he
would talk was not decided. Meanwhile
whether the, democrats would attempt to
prolong discussion while marshaling fur
ther support was undetermined.
Meanwhile the democrats learned that
Senator Kenyon was committed to vote
for an unamended motion to recommit,
and that threw the democrats into a
quandary. as they were counting on his
vote.
scores Boilers.
Senator Stone paid his respects in caus-
tic terms to the seven democrats who
voted with the republicans Monday and
placed the bill in its present position.
characterising them as the seven con-
spirators."
Senators O'Gorman and Vardaman were
on their feet at once with demands that
Senator Stone be called to order for hav-
ing impugned the motives of senators in
violation Of the rules.
TIE latter said he apologized and pro-
ceeded.
II think am within my rights" SEN
ator Stone resumed, that there are
Among us democrats, who by courtesy, II
not by right still are permitted to oc-
eupy this side Of the chamber Like
Brutus, they are all most honorable men.
but 1t is a fact that these democrats, un-
beknown to us, conferred with the enemy
and confided to them our plans.
Spring Surprise.
''I am within my rights when ! say
that these democrats marched in here
the other day and sprang a complete and
hostile surprise on all their colleagues
on this side of the chamber, republican
senators had been served with notice OF
what was coming These democrats and
the republicans were acting in concert
congratulate our friends, the enemy on
the coup they made. You did upset us
You did get us in a tight hole and
don't know that we are going to get out
Of It, " was a fine, a most artistic per-
formance. Again tender my most flat
tering compliments to the senator's on
that side of the chamber"
Clarke Called Traitor.
Senator Stone recalled that Senator
Clarke. the leader of the revolt, had been
reelected president pro tempore OF the
senate by the same organization which
had decreed the shipping bill as party
measure,
"He desired that honor. Senator
Stone declared, waving his hand toward
the Arkansas senator. 1T was not
thrust upon him."
Senator Clarke, sitting within six feet
of the Missouri senator, listened intently
to Senator Stones remarks, by that time
directed almost entirely at him. 1t was
apparent that a serious breach in the
democratic ranks had come and con-
fusion throughout the chamber followed
Stones personal reference to Clarke's
election as president pro tempore. When
it subsided, Mr. Stone continued:
UnErateful Man.
We gratified the ambition of the sena-
tor from Arkansas by electing him to
this high office and now before the con-
gress expires which elected MIN to pre-
side. which he has done with exceeding
grace. he is here leader of a performance
Intended to unhorse the democratic
party" ,,.,...,....'
senator Clarke by that time had risen
and asked recognition. Senator Stone,
with a wave of his arms, yielded.
The Arkansas senator insisted he had
never violated a caucus pledge.
When this shipping bill was under
consideration" said he. II went into a
neeting Of democrats warning them that
did not intend to caucus and I stated
that the democratic party had never
been committed TO a plan such as this
that no convention ever had endorsed a
plan FOR the RSyernment TO conduct shin
lines at public expense.
Il served notice on the democrats then
that could not be deprived of my right
TO vote against this bill So long as l
am in this body 1 will not be deprived
of my right to vote and act as 1 think
TO be right"
While Senator Stone continued TO ar
raign the bolting democrats, administra-
tion leaders worked desperately to i'm
prove the prospects Of the bill. How long
The democrats could hold the floor against
vote no one would predict Appeals
We're sent to absent senator's to return al
once.