The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-02

FIGHT ON
DYER BILL
Democrats Start Fill
buster in Senate to
Prevent Passage Of
Anti-Lynching Bill

Antl-Lynchlng Bill
Washington, Nov. 2S.-Republi-
can members Of the senate, after
four hour filibuster waged by the
Democrats and after threats from
the Deomcratic side of continued
obstruction, voted in caucus tonight
to continue the fight in behalf Of
the Dyer anti-lynching bill.
A further decision was reached
by the Republican senator's to hold
the senate in session on Thanksgiv-
ing day-a most unusual occur
rence-if such action was found
necessary to break Democratic op-
position. The vote on continuing
the fight for the Dyer bill, which
has been passed by the house, was
understood to have been "a to 1.
The Republican caucus brought
to a close rather tuburient day
at the senate wing of the capitol.
for Democratic senators acting in
accord with stand taken. several
days ago in party caucus, showed
Immediately upon the convening Of
the senate that they, proposed to
block the anti-lynching bill in ev-
cry possible way.
! Led from the floor by Senator
Harrison of Mississippi, the Demo-
Gratis started what they frankly
conceded to be a flibuster the min
ute the chaplain concluded the
morning prayer. The tactics in
Guided objections to the usual
course of dispensing with the read
ling of the journal. numerous quo
rum calls and presentation Of
amendments to yesterdays journal
on which invariably yea and a
nav vote are demanded. Senate
attaches characterized it as the
most scientifically conducted fill
buster carried on in the senate in
years and as proof Of this 1t was
| cited that only after signs Of yield
4 ing had been seen on the Repub-
! lican side did the Democrats per-
init yesterdays journal to be ap-
proved. This process usually con-
! sumes about 80 seconds but today
it required four hours and might
have taken longer, for when the
senate adjourned Senator Harrison
had on hisN, desk dozen or SO
amendments to the journal which
! he had been prepared to offer.
! Not alone did the Democrats
show by their tactics that they
were unalterably opposed to con-
sideration Of the Dyer bill but
Through their. leader. Senator Un-
derwood, Alabama, said SO plainly
jsenator Underwood taking the
1 floor late in the afternoon told the
majority leaders that the Demo
lcrats had determined to permit,the
transaction Of no business, moi
even the confirmation Of nonrina-
tons, until the Republicans agreed
] to abandon the anti-lynching meas
lure, which he characterized as "a
J force bill, pure and simple"
eve are not Disgusting what is
! being done ON this side of the
chamber,,' said the Democratic
leader. 1--WE frankly tell you that
we are endeavoring to prevent con.
sideration of the Dyer bill. If thi:
bill becomes a law it will threater
, the very fabric Of our government
But it will never become law ant
you gentlemen on the Republican
side might just as we'll admit i
now and give up the fight
Faced with this threat and fur
ther notified of the determination
of the Democrats who carried thei
obstructionist tactics into an execu
tive session of the senate just be
fore adjournment, Republican
/ leaders taking counsel amons
themselves determined upon an i'm
mediate party caucus. Some con
sideration was. given in this eau
Gus to the legislative program fol
the regular session but no decis
ions on this point were reached.
The Dyer bill. itself, was scarce
ly mentioned in the senate unit
after two hours of the filibustel
had passed, but. the statement from
Senator Underwood opened up {
debate on the measure, which
ranged from the Hall-Alills murde
case in New Jersey to the Japa
nese question in California but al
centered about the anti-lynchin;
legislation.
Senator Edge of New Jersey ad
vocated enactment Of the, bill, de
claring that in a number of state!
lynchings were winked at and SOM
: legislation was needed to allow tn
federal government to step in.
This argument brought the state
ment from Senator McKellar (Dem
ocrat) of Tennessee that lone o
the most remarkable examples c
unpunished crime was in New
Jersey although nine-tenths of th'
people of the United States coult
without difficulty put their finger
on the murderer
The Tennessee senator few
minutes later after an inter chang