Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-10
RULE OF CLOTURE
SOUGHT IN SENATE
Formal Notice Given of Effort
to End Debate on Ship
Bill.
ANOTHER ALl-NIGHT SESSION
Wilson Will Not Withdraw
Measure, Even if 1t Means
Extra Session.

WASHINGTON. February a-Formal
notice in writing that he would seek a
cloturc amendment to the senate rules
to end debate on the administration
shipping bill at y. NJ. February 10
ana cause "a final vote to be taken three
hours later. was given by Senator Reed
lhte tonight, when the Senate had
been In continuous session for more
0than thirty-six hours
Under the rules, the proposed amend
mend must lay over for "one day." and
II this Is construed to mean a 'IegisIa-
tive day, there can be no action upon
1t until the Senate adjourns and ends
the Legislative day Of Monday.
WILL FIGHT TO LAST DITCH
AGAINST CLOTuRE RULE
Senators Gallinger and Smoot vaInIv
made points of order against Senator
Reeds notice, and the Republicans
generally let it he known that they
would fight to the last ditch against an
attempt to adopt any form OF cloture
rule.
Senator McCumber, who had yielded
to Senator Reed on the understanding
that he would not lose the floor re-
sumed his speech. Senator Sherman
interrupted with some remarks about
the bill, whcreupon Senator Simmons
rose and declared that Senator McCum-
Der had lost the floor. Senator Lea. in
the chair. sustained the point of order
and gave the floor to the Democrats by
recognizing Senator Stone. He held
iast TO his decision over a volley of
objections and points OF order from
the Republican side, and refused to
grant an appeal from his ruling
Senator Stone then began an address
on the bill, while the Republican SEN
ators retired to the cloak-rooms for
hasty conference.
Senator Fletcher had thrown the SEN
ate into an uproar just before mid
night by suddenly demanding an aye
and nay vote on the pending question,
the first Of the three propositions into
which his amendment TO the motion to
recommit the shipping bill to the Com
mercc Committee has been divided The
demand was seconded instantly, but n
dozen Republicans were on their feet
clamoring for recognition before Sem
ator Lea could order the clerk to be-
gin calling the roll.
POSITION Is UNCHANGED
AFTER THIRTY-SIE HOURS
In the confusion. Senator McCumbcr
was recognized and began speaking
again. Thus, when the Senate had
been in continuous session for thirty
six hours, the situation was virtually
what it was when the session began on
Monday at noon.
Apparently, word had gone out
through the city that the Democrats
expected to accomplish some parlia-
mentary victory, for the galleries were
crowded before the furry ended.
Administration leaders declared the
session might last for n week without
interruption. Opposition leaders. how
ever. said an effort would be made to-
morrow to break the deadlock.
Republicans were surprised at the
strength commanded by the admins
tration forces when Senator Clarke, OF
Arkansas, moved that the Senate ad-
journ until noon tomorrow. They had
hoped that Senator Norris, progressive
Republican, would not stand with the
Democratic majority on the motion.
Senator Norris. however. voted against
adjournment. as did Senator La Fol-
lette. Senator Kenyon voted with the
administration forces for the first time
since the beginning of the fight The
vote was As to 49,
REPUBLICANS PLAN TO
DISPLACE SHIP DILL
Had the opposition alliance forced
adjournment. Republicans had planned
10 try to displace the bill tomorrow
by motion to take up for considera-
ton the post-offlce appropriation meas
ure. and such an attempt may yet be
made. Should 1t succeed, administra-
L.
to get the pending measure before the
Senate again between now and March t.
In the light OF the vote tonight,
Democratic leaders were confident their
lines would hold. although some Re-
publicans intimated that Senator Norris
might soon desert the majority unless
the fillbuster could be broken and the
continuous session ended.
After the strenuous all-night session
on Monday, the day in the Senate was
an exciting one, enlivcned by parlia-
mentary entanglements and denuncia-
tions of proceedings by insurEent Dem
ocrats. Senator's O'Gorman and Hitch
cock assaiied the attempt to coerce sup
port OF the shipping bill, and both re-
ferred to the Presidents attitude on
the measure.
President Wilson took occasion dur
Ing the day to reassure callers that
there was no intention OF withdraw
ing the bill. even II it should be ncces-
sary to call nm extra session.
ALTERNATIVE PLAN
HAS BEEN PROPOSED
If opponents Of the bill can prevent
Il decisive vote for many more DAYS,
an alternative plan of getting the bill
through has been suggested. The plan
would be for House leaders to call up
for passage a bill introduced by Sena-
tor Weeks early In the session, which
passed the Senate. providing for turn
ing over some ships Of the navy for
mail and commercial service between
New York and South American ports.
With this bill before the House, II
would be part of the plan to attach
the ship-purchasc bill as an amend
ment and to pass the amended bill
under a special rule. Administration
leaders in the Senate would move to
concur in House amendments to the
Weeks bill, and upon this, It Is believed.