The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-04
Senator Martin Clamps Down
Lid On All Other Business
Until Final Action Is Taken
LA TOILETTE AGAIN
SPRINGS DELAY TACTICS
And Is Roundly Scored. Amid
Great Applause, By Demo
cratic Floor Leader-House
Ready for Prompt Action
BY GEORGE l.. EDMUNDs.

tStaH Correspondent of the Interna-
tional News Servicc)
Washington. April 3.--Prompt ae-
ton on the Flood Martin resolution.
declaring q state OF war TO exist be-
tween the United States of America
and the imperial German government.
was assured today when the Demo
cratic steering committee decided To
hold the senate OF the United States
in continuous session until definite ac-
ton has been taken on the measure.
This means that any little group OF
wilful men" disposed to interpose dila-
tory legislative tactics meaningless
speeches of many hours duration.
pa rlta mentary trickery. or anything
else to the expression of the approval
by congress of the very definite stand
assumed by the president will have
the question of physical endurance
and growing public sentiment
against them to deal With.
The senate is not expected to In
woke it's new cloture rule to limit free
debate upon the war declaration. II
recently possessed itself of this power,
but there will be a hesitancy about
calling it into use lust now. 1t is felt
by the leaders of the administration
party as we'll as by the Republicans
favortng the sturdy assertion of Amer
ica's rights on the high seas by force
and arms--and this means more than
ninety per cent Of the Republicans OF
the senate---tfat there will be no fill
buster worthy OF tho name against
the war measure.
Senator Robert N La Toilette. of
Wisconsin. leader of the little group
OF wilful men" referred to by Presi-
dent Wilson in his ants-inauguraI
statement to the country, halted con-
sideration of the Flood Martin reso-
luton in the senate today by the par
liamentary maneuver of demanding
the regular order" which set the
consideration over until tomorrow
morning He was within his pariia-
mentary rights. but nevertheless black
looks from all quarters OF the senate
and a growl from the galleries greeted
his action.
Resolution Goes Over.
There was a brief verbal clash be-
tween Majority Leader Martin. of Vfr-
ginia, and the Wisconsin senator. but
La Toilette. adhering to his position
that the matter could not be discussed
today. was sustained by Fice-Presidcnt
Marshall and the resolution went over.
Democratic Floor Leader Martin
refused to consent TO any other bust
ness until the measure. to which
La Toilette had object, is passed. The
session of the senate from the time
La Toilette objected to immediate
consideration OF the war measure was
more pointed than polite -
Martin said he thought II unnecee-
sary to allude to the tremend ous con-
sequences" of the bill He asked
La Toilette to withdraw his objection.
La Toilette said Martin was trying to
lecture him. and said he had the right
under the rules to ask for one days
time
Il ask for the regular order. Mi.
President" he said. and sat down,
grim determination on his face.
Senator Martin jumped from his
seat and said: II had no idea OF de-
livering a lecture I have the right to
tors to the tremendous consequences
of the resolution involved"
1T is quite unnecessary to call my
attention TO the consequences, La
Toilette retorted. II insist on the
regular order
This resolution OF course goes
over under the rules" Martin said
with resignation, but have the right
10 comment on the resolution"
There can be no comment on the
resolution" ruled Vice-President Mar
shall.
IT do not believe the senate ought
to proceed to any other business whila
this resolution is pending" Martin
shouted. Il move that the senate adj
journ until 10 O'Clock tomorrow"
Galleries and senate broke into a storm
Of applause at Martins words, a rar0
thing to occur in the upper body.
Senator McCumber. North Dakota.
asked Martin to permit him TO send
to the clerks desk a resolution to be
printed in the record Martin firmly
objected. Il move that the senate
adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow.
he repeated, his lips down to tight
line. Vice-President Marshall put the
question of adjournment and with a
chorus OF ayes" and faint echo OF
noes the senate adjourned
In the House.
In the house there was a delay ue-
cause the Republican members or tho
committee on foreign affairs had NOT
been selected. The Democrats OF the
committee met, and tomorrow at 10
o'clock. the Republicans having
meanwhile been chosen. the commits
tee wifi get" down TO business v IN sss.
The rcadjnstment OF the house Of
representatives to meet the changes
In party alignment give the Repub@
licans nine members Of the foreign
affairs committee. In the last con-
gress they had eight. The eight wtr9 =
today chosen to resume their old poG&s
= 49, 49,