The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-06

suine supporters insist the measure
Is dead for this session.
senator Fletcher, when Senator
Reed had concluded, moved adjourn
mont, which was voted.
Democratic leaders tonight were
canvassing the situation. Absent
Democratic senators who may return
tomorrow are Smith of South Caro-
lima and Lea of Tennessee. Repub-
licans absent. however who are ex-
pected to return, are Penrose and
Con. Senator Williams said tonight
that the most optimistic prognosti-
cation on a probable lineup on the
motion TO recommit the bill left the
Democrats one vote short.
The revolving Democrats. it was as
serted tonight, would demand that the
ship bill be dropped and that attcn-
tion be turned to appropriation meas
ures and other important legislation.
Despite the feeling o. some of his
colleagues. Majority Leader Kern to-
night would not admit defeat, and in
announcing the call for the caucus
he declared: We will pass the bill
yet."
In his speech denouncing the ship
ping interests Senator Reed declared
agents OF these interests were not so
anxious about preserving the peace of
the United States as they were for
their ability to continue to charge
shippers four and five prices for haul
ing American goods"
Gentlemen from States where the
shipping trust Is strong are practical
ly all opposed to this bill" he said.
AS i look over the list of senators
who still are here who were MEM
bers Of the senate when the shipping
trust undertook to put it's hands in
the American pocket for the extrac-
tion of ship subsidy. find nearly
all of them were in favor of sub
sidy and cheek by jowl with the ship
ping trust In it's attempted raid of
the United States treasury. and also
find them now in gleeful mood be-
cause on the. last two or three roll
calls the vote has indicated sufficient
Democratic detection possibly to ac.
complish defeat OF this bill.
Every man here today must an
swer for. his vote. Every man will
answer for his vote on this bill as
he must on every bill. But there
should be no possible misunderstand-
ing with the people of this country
as to the exact situation presented
here"
The shipping trust" the Missouri
senator continued. "at the very mo-
ment war was declared, entered on a
system of plunder, extorting enormous
sums from American citizens en-
deavoring to escape from war scenes
TO their native shores.
OF the presidents determination. to
give relief from objectionable
freight rates." the senator said.
He saw the cotton on the wharves
and grain In the warehouses awaiting
shipment with ship owners demand
ing toll nothing short Of robbery.
lie saw, while some OF us were talk
ing OF a larger navy, we had no ships
to carry coal or otherwise act as aux
iliaries. He suggested this measure,
and In every action except this where
there was conference or caucus he
received the unanimous support of his
party.
But the shipping trust got busy
wonder If we are to duplicate the
record OF the Spanish American war
when the shipping trust sold the gov
ernment vessels and then again
bought them back at such outrageous
prices that l wonder that the ostrich
stomach Of the senator from Utah did
not rebel at that"
IF this present bill is killed." con-
tinued Senator Reed, "the shipping
trust will continue to hold the coun-
try in It's grip-to take all in it's con-
science permits-and its conscience
would permit it to rob the grave.
Il congratulate my old friend, the
shipping trust. There will be many
bottle of champagne broken to-
night If the Democratic party is
broken-if the trust is strong enough
to make men turn their backs on this
party to cement the insurgent and
standpatter."