Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-05
SENATE F'lLIBUSTER IS
GENERALLY REGRETTED
Rchmonders Are Unanimous in Condemnation of Sys
tenn Which Allows Small Group to Determine Action
OF Congress-Would Stand Solidy Behind Wilson.

Men prominent In the public life OF
the city and State joined last night in
denouncing as indefensible and in the
last degree unpatriotic the nlibustcr
conducted by a handful of United States
Senator'S which resulted yesterday in
the adjournment of Congress without
the approval Of tho armed neutrality
bill.
Not since the stirring day nearly
three years ago, when the city waited
with bated breath the expiration Of the
ultimatum to Hucrta, upon which it
was believed hinged the issue OF war
with Mexico. did Richmond concern it
self with n national issue with such
poignant interest. The morning pa
pers with their story of the dramatic
flibuster had hardly reached the late
Sabbath-day breakfast tables before
anxious citizens began demanding later
information.
MANY INQUIRIES AS TO
ACTION OF CONGRESS
An unbroken stream OF telephone in
quirics flowed into The Times-Di"patch
offices all day. From every section OF
the city and suburbs and from the sur
rounding towns came the insistcnt re-
quest for news on the issue which held
first place in the minds OF the people.
With one accord, as tho news Of the
Senate's action was impaired. citizens
expressed their reGret-in many cases
IL was open indignstion-that Con-
gress should have failed at this crisis
in the country's history 10 give its
unhesitating support to the President.
In spite OF widespread disappoint-
ment at the failure OF tho Senate to
approve the policy OF arminE mcr-
chantmcn for defense, tho feeling pre-
vailed that tho President will have the
overwhelming support OF the citizens
of the United States IL he proceeds
now on his own responsibility to carry
out his plan for protecting the coun-
try's commerce. despite the Scnate's
failure to strengthen il with congress
sioual approval.
In this view concurred many men
prominent In Richmond's affairs to
whom the Scnate's action came as a
bitter disappointment. Judges. law
yers, clerEymen. business mon and
mon of all professions and walks OF
life agrccd--thc Senate had failed in
a national crisis 70 interpret the will
of tho American people.
SHOULD MARK DEATH KNELi
Or SENATORIAL. COURTESY"
The President has shown unpara-
lclled forbcarance in dealing with Ger
many" said John Stewart Bryan, and
the failure OF Congress TO meet the
rea sonable and essential demands for
preserving tho safety OF citizens OF
this country going about their lawful
business is the Sravcst indictment of
| the capacity of Congress that has been
made within the memory Of man.
| at least the country at large. l
| believe. has the satisfaction of know
| ing that having appealed to Congress
without success, President Wilson will
not allow the dignity and safety Of
America to suffer because OF the blind
ness or craftsmanship of Congress. The
| iasco in the Senate ought to mark
| the death knell Of what is called soma
torial courtesy and at least ought to
| effect a radical read ustment OF the
rules under which such tilibustcr as
we have just witnessed is made pos
sible."
| Others were no less outsroEen
| Among well-knOwn men who sharply
condemned the Senate's action were:
! James Keith. former president OF the
/ Virginia Supreme Court of App,als-"I
condemn the action OF tho Senate IN
I rescrvcdly There was Il time in
I President IIarrison's administration
when tilibuster saved tho South from
negro domination. Blu, this last fill
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