The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1919-03-05
big PARTISAN ROW
ENDS Term OF THE
old CONGRESS
Bitter Controversy Between the Pres
ident and Senate Over League
,a. of Nations, Followed by
e Filibuster
THREE SESSIONS HELD
Republicans Are Committed to Oppose
Charter OF League of Nations
AS 1t Is Now
Drawn

AS 1t Is NOW
Drawn.
Washington, Marcn "A bitter
controversy between President Wilson
and the Senate over the league of ma
tions and filibuster by few Re-
publican Senators seeking to force an
: Immediate extra session, marked the
passing at noon today of the Sixty
fifth or Great War Congress.
Three Historic Sessions.
Called in April, 1917, to throw
Americas weight into the conflict
overseas, the Congress held three MOI
mentous and historic sessions. Par
tisanship lay dormant during the war,
but it broke forth in the last session
to eliminate in a final filipuster which
successfully blocked passage of hair
of the fourteen regular appropriation
bills, including the $750,000,00 rail
road revolving fund and the huge
army, navy and merchant marine bud
gets.
Put Resolution in Record.
Although unsuccessful in their eff
forts to record the Serate in favor
of amendment Of the constitution OF
the league of nations as now drawn,
the Republican Senators left in the
record resolution approved by thir-
ty-nine of them opposing acceptance
of the charter in its present form.
Republican Leader Lodge and other
p spokesmen said this was notice to the
President and the peace conference
chat the necessary two-thirds ma
SSority in the new Senate for ratifica
yktion of the present plan could not be
obtained. Democratic leaders private
ly expressed belief that amendments
would be made soon after the Presi-
dent reached Paris.
Refused to Call Extra Session.
President Wilson spent an hour at
the Capitol before adjournment. La
ter he formally announced despite the
death in the filibuster OF the railroad
and other bills he would adhere to
his refusal to call the new Congress
before his return from France and
criticised "group of men" for their
obstruction. AS a result Of the flibus-
ter, which held the Senate in con-
tinuous session for twenty-six hours,
the President had little to do at the
wheat guarantee bill and exchange
leave takings with members and
friends.
Long Session Predicted.
Because of the Presidents decision
on the extra session, members who
were crowding outgoing trains to-
night felt assured that Congress
would not again assemble before June
/. Leaders predicted then it would
remain in continuous session until the
1920 political conventions. During the
recess business will be virtually sus-
pended, except for resumption tomor-
row Of the Overman committees prop
aganda investigation and the meeting
at the same time of the House Re-
publican committee on committees.
Responsibility Disputed.
With the ending of Congress scores
of statements on the results of legis-
lation and the league of nations were
issued by members, with Democrats
and Republicans disputing RESPONSE
bility for failure of important meas
ures. Most Republican members urged
the calling of an early extra session.
Despite the death Of Congress, con-
troversy over the league of nations
constitution promises to be agitated
continually by advocates and oppo-
nents. Prominent Democratic and Re-
publiccn Congressman already have
with Senators Borah, Of Idaho, Re-
publican, and Reed, of Missouri,
Democrat, and Thomas, of Colorado,
Democrat, to speak soon at New York,
Boston and other cities in criticism
Of the league constitution. Republi-
can Leader Lodge does not intend to
engage in the speechmaking.
Usual .Riotous Scense.
Chief interest at the finish centered
in the Senate flibuster and the league
of nations controversy The flibus-
ter continued from 10 o'clock yester-
day morning until Il 80 o'clock today,
with Senators Sherman, of Illinois,
LaFollette, Of Wisconsin, and France,
Of Maryland, occupying most Of the
time Of the long session. 1t even
prevented the customary exchanges
of courtesy at the finish. In the
House, however, the usual riotous
scenes marked the close of the ses-
sion. The clock was stopped a few
minutes for final fluctuations and for
an hour after adjournment ~ louise
members exchanged good-byes with
music, songs and impromptu speeches.
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