Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-17
Famous Filibusters


TTP-TO-DATB long distance talking began in 1891.
u In the contest against the latest force bill The
bill had been introduced by Senator Lodge OF
Massachusetts for the purpose OF amending and sup
plementing the election laws. Il passed in the
house. but holly opposed by clique OF republic
cans and democrats who agreed TO their utmost
effort TO sidetrack t. with this intention Senator
Charles j. Faulkner Of West Virginia took the floor
at II o'clock in the evening January IS and talked
until 1870 a. January L. Senator Faulkner, who
had big, bull voice. spoke vociferously and read at
length from law books. As time went there
sign Of his stopping it began to look though he
would be deserted. Five of his opponents and only
colleague were in their seats The colleagues
name was Casey. His head dropped. democrat
who sized up the situation moved for adjournment
But he mistook his Quick a flash Mr.. Casey
went into action Deshing into the cloak he
woke his supporters and summoned achievements
the motion for adjournment lost aad Faulkner
went believing on
At five minutes past 10 a senator from Kentucky
wanted to know what day it The senate
TO convene Mt TO- he said. and it already past
that hour This started discussion TO the date
that ended when the chair decided that II still
yesterday and that the day would take
place in legislative time. The efforts the bus-
tiers were successful and the bill sidetracked.
Two years later there occurred another famous
fbuster. 1t had to do with the repeal the silver
purchase clause of the Sherman act. Those favor
of the repeal resolved to force the matter a
vote. and the free siverites equally determind
to tire out their opponents in endurance test.
Senators went into training for that struggle.
Many OF them took courses in physical culture One
or them engaged In running exercises. Washington
anticipated the fight, and when the bill up for
vote the galleries crowded The cloak rooms of
each party had been transformed into forts Blankets
we're spread all the couches and sandwiches, COT
fee and apolinaris supplied.
Senator William " Allen OF Nebraska the main
buster. took the floor on October II and fin
ished at a. m. October -, having talked con-
tnuousy for fourteen and three-quarters hours His
speech was one of the most remarkable feats OF en-
durance that has ever taken place in the senate.
Beyond occasional sips OF tea in the calling OF quor
ums he had nothing to sustain him. yet his eye was
clear and his voice fresh when he concluded mis-
remarks. He did not leave the senate chamber
throughout the time of his speech The most frequent
Interruptions when the sharp eye OF OF the
anti-repeaers saw that quorum wanting. Then
electric bells would ring the double summons and
heavy-eyed Mould emerge their burrows
in cloak and committee rooms answer to their names
and back to sleep again.
One OF the dramatic hold-ups was made in
1901 by Senator Thomas H. Carter Of Montana, who
talked 10 death s60OO00O0 rivers and harbors bill
chiefly because the house had refused Appropriate
money to rrigate the dry lands of the
~ shall do what lies in my power to prevent this
bill from passing" the senator shouted 1T will not
pass IL my strength does not fail to such an extent
that cannot no longer occupy the noor-and
in pretty fair state OF health"
TO the laughter of the senate and the galleries
Carter then described the clam flats and the mud
banks of unheardof places for which large appropra
lions Deen MADE IN the present Dill. He discussed
the draft and tonnage of the and the lobster
pots He lasted for than thirteen hours. When
he through the congress dead the senator's
term ended and It time to inaugurate
Vice President Roosevelt
In 1897 Senator Owen talked at length the ship
subsidy bill In 1908 Senator consumed hours ON
the admission of Arizona to the union.
La Folette's unsuccessful attempt in the same
year flibuster the Adrch-Vreeland currency bin
was ended by clever trick of Aidrich himself. Be-
tween the bursts OF Ia Foettes mpassioned oratory
and gymnastics. which lasted with Interruptions
for a little eighteen hours. Aldrich moved
that when the vote be taken II be taken by
ayes and The filibusers did not the point,
but guessed that something up.
La Toilette yielded his place TO Senator Stone of
Missouri Stone talked for six hours and then in
to the blind Senator Gore. who made legitimate
speech and yielded his place. expecting that Stone
would Immediately support him. Stone however had
left tho room and when Gore concluded Vice Presl-
dent Fairbanks called the vote. BY the aye and no
system It on Immediately, and when la Toilette
rushing In he too late TO stop IL.
The last filibuster took place in September, 1914,
Senator Burton of ohio talked In all for twelve
hours and fourteen minutes a rivers and harbors
bill that strongly favored with pork Due to the
efforts the fllibusters the bill cut from $3.50
900 10 seoOOocoo