The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-05


up by speeches by Senator's sherman
cans, who had made up their minds
after the passage OF Che Victory loan
bill that they would not permit any
other measures to become laws. Thcy
talked all day Monday. all night and
up to fifteen minutes before noon to-
day.
Some notably long speeches were
made by the filibustering senators.
Senator La Toilette spoke from ons
A M. to 5:l5 A. NJ: Senator France
spoke from Sis to 7:30. and Senator
Sherman held the floor from 1880 to
11:45, giving way only TO permit q
>s.ssg e-tlttt Va sr,.s ass1i 2.
decentralization OF the soldiers now on
Xfnefirail soil. 'a' y s' . '"'s'
The senators talked about every
subject under the sun. During the
night few OF the senators remained
in their seats. but by eight O'Clock
few hours sleep. returned to their
seats and remained to the finish.
Although It had been general un-
derstood that Republican senators
were prepared to inaugurate a fili-
buster to prevent the passage Of the
army and navy bills, and the sundry
civil bill, 1t was not believed the gen.
eral deficiency bill, which was before
the senate, was in any danger. This
bill carried the Appropriation of
$3.50. 100000 for the railway adminis-
tration, to enable the director general
to pay off obligations already incurred
In operation and for equipment.
Bills That Failed.
Early last. night, however, 1t be-
came apparent that the bill had been
chosen as the principal object Of at
tack by the filibuster and as the night
wore on Senators Martin and Unde:-
wood. who were in charge of the bill,
gave up hope and resigned them
selves to its defeat. They had con-
coded earlier in the day that the fol-
navy, agricultural sundry civil, In
dian and District Of Columbia, all Of
which carry large appropriations.
1t was a surprise to them to ind
the deficiency bill similarly engulfei
in the maelstrom of the filibuster,
Senators had been told by Director
Hines that passage of the bill OF
this session was imperative. All of
the obligations for which the appro-
priation was sought were incurred a
long time ago. and Director General
Hines explained that serious results
might follow II congress failed 10
provide the money for paying tho
roads the amounts due them
1t was even limited that some OF
the roads might be forced to pass
their dividends and disastrous effects
upon the stockholders were predicted.
This statement tended to encourage
the leaders Of the filibuster rather
than All them with alarm. They felt
that II the bill were OF such great i'm
portance its defeat might force The
president into calling the extra ses-
sion sooner than he desires. So they
talked on and on through the night,
and the length of the session drew
steadily to a close.
Several attempts were made to
break up the filibuster by taking the
senator's off their feet. Under the
rules of the senate il required moth
ing short OF a parliamentary trick
do this Each attempt failed.
Senator Sherman. the last speaker.
refused to yield for the consideration
of conference reports, resolutions or
anything else.
Senator Chamberlain pleaded in
vain with Senator Sherman to permit
an executive session SO important APP
pointments made by the president
might be considered. The senator re-
fused to vie Id.
BY this means action upon the
nomination of A. Mitchell Palmer TO
be attorney-general. John SHELTON
Williams to he comptroller OF the cur
rency and score or more or lesser
appointments failed OF confirmation.