The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-03-09
Twelve Members Defeat Over
whelming Sentiment of
That Body.
Other Important Items of Legislation Killed.
Pres. Wilson's Speech on Action of
Fiibusters.

Then leaders on both sides made
speeches The appeals OF DR.. Hitch
cock and others to the patriotism OF
senators that they stand by the Pres
ident when all the world, particu-
larly the German world. was watch
ing for any sign OF division, were
greeted with mocking laughter from
Mr. La Toilette, who lowering about
the chamber with a long prepared
speech in readiness for any lull and
by the more dogged indifference OF
his supporters. Meanwhile diplomats
who filled their reserved galleries
and practically all night looked in
manifest amusement at this strange
spectacle of American legislation.
The filibuster then proceeded on
It's weary way. For time. by an in
advertence on the part OF Mr.. Smith
OF South Carolina, who wanted &C
ton on conference report on the
agricultural appropriation bill. that
measure displaced the armed ship
bill. This gave Mr.. Gronna OF North
Dakota, who had been insistently de-
manding a right TO be heard at
length on the armed ship measure,
opportunity to discuss rural matters,
and he spoke for more than an hour,
mostly reading statistical state
ment regarding different grades OF
wheat. Though the rules OF the Sen
ate permit debate on any subject at
any time, not a word did he say OF
the ship bill.
Speeches. all as tedious as the
rules OF fiibusteripg require. were
then made by Mr.. Norris OF Nebras-
ka. Mr. Works OF California, and Mr..
Clapp OF Minnesota, all Progressive
Republicans.
Then the flibuster took a queer
turn. BY this time the night being
over, It was evident that the bill
was dead, and its supporters, aside
from occasionally asking for agree
ments to vote, which were always re-
fused devoted themselves chiefly to
keeping Mr.. La Toilette from talking
Since Mr. La Toilette has been in
the Senate, hardly bill in which he
was interested has come to a vote
without his managing to make the
closing speech. II is at the closing
hours of measures consideration
that the galleries give their best
audience to senatorial orators, and
Mr.. La Toilette likes n audience.
The audience was particularly to his
liking. The galleries were filed to
overflowing. Long lines of would-be
every door, while the rare presence
Of the diplomatic group gave an un-
usual distinction. Mr. La Toilette
had determined to be heard before
this crowd, and ignored the many
other opportunities he could have
found earlier.
But after abandoning hope OF
| passing the bill the defeated sena-
| tors had determined to make Senator
La Toilette pay for his coup by sac
rificing the crowning fruits OF his
lictory. During the early morning
hours they worked out the plan TO
prevent him from delivering his ad.
dress. The plan was made quietly
in the cloak rooms and the time was
fixed for 10 o'clock. when most OF the
senators would be back in the cham
Der ready for adjournment.
Thus beaten in his plan to talk the
bill TO death, Mr.. la Toilette was
forced TO sit and hear Senator Hitch
cock discuss the measure until Con-
gress expired.