Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-09-07
CORRUPT
PRACTICE BILL
Holly DEBATED
Heated Argument Takes Place in
Senate When Measure Is
Discussed.
PERSONAL ENCOUNTER
NARROWLY AVOIDED
Senators Ashurst and Curtis
Clash When Violation of Law
Is Charged.

Washington, Sept. 6-While the
senate was waiting today on the rev
enue bill conferees, the Owen corrupt
practices bill was taken up and made
the vehicle for several hours Of acri
monious debate. Republican and
Democratic senator's indulged in per
sonal exchanges and regaled their fel
low senators with accounts Of cam
paign contributions and the rewards
given to some contributors in the
past.
The vote to take up the bill was
80 to IA, nine Republicans voting
with the majority to consider the
measure and seven Democrats voting
against it. Senator Owen, its author,
tonight Cancelled a speaking engage
ment before the Ohio Democratic con-
vention to remain here and fight for
it's adoption. It probably will be
taken up again before noon tomor-
row and the Oklahoma senator in
tends to keep it before the senate
until a vote is secured or, what is
more probably, adjournment is forced
by the leaders.
Personal Encounter Avoided. ..
Senator Curtis of Kansas, Repnb.
,lican, and Ashurst of Arizona, Demo.
cfat, furnished the excitement of the
days debate in an Interchange which
looked for a few minutes as if it
might result in personal encoun-
ter.
The bill would restrict campaign ex-
penditures of candidates for the SEN
ate, the house. and for the presidency
and vice presidency, to a greater ex-
tent than existing law. Senator Cur
tis argued that such measure pass
ed when a campaign is half over
might work unfairly against men who
already have spent the stipulated
amount. He advocated more strin-
gent law than that proposed, and one
that would particularly restrict the
use of the congressional rank to pre-
vent senators or representatives from
sending out campaign appeals at gov
ernment expense. He read letter
from Senator Ashurst to a constituent
reciting his record as basis for sup
port, and said he understood that TO-
900 of these had been franked out, in
violation of the privilege
Heated Argument Ensues.
eff the senator charges that this
is violation Of the law saiG Sena-
tor Ashurst, when he got the floor,
"he has sweetbreads for brains.'
Calling Senator Curtis the "Pharisee
from Kansas" and brushing aside
several chairs, he strobe across the
center aisle and shook his finger un-
der Curtis nose. Senator Smoot,
seated just between the two, moved
back in alarm, as Senator Ashurst
approached. Senator Curtis smile.
but kept his seat.
A little later, Mr.. Ashurst turned
on Senator Penrose, who said he had
noticed a copper lobby around the
capitol, whose members had been
talking with the Arizona senator.
'If," said Mr.. Ashurst, "the senator
means to say that my vote has been
influenced by copper lobby or by
any other lobby he lies" Several
senators objected to this language.
and Senator Ashurst, after he had
said "If," agreed to withdraw his re-
marks.
Democrats Favor Bill.
Senator Curtis said it was we'll
known the Democrats were in favor
of the bill, as Secretary McAdoo and
other cabinet members already had
1Confinuo6 IN po0o Two1