Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1909 — SENATORS HAVE WAR OF WORDS [ARTICLE]

SENATORS HAVE WAR OF WORDS

La Follette and Penrose In a Verbal Tilt ON DELAYED LEGISLATION Pennsylvania Statesman Says Arguments of the Solon From Wisconsin “Might Better Be Made by a Vendor cf a Patent Medicine From the Tall Door of a Cart” Than by a Senator of the United States—La Follette Calls Remarks of Penrose a “Coarse and Vulgar Assault.”

Washington, Feb. 19. —An acrid exchange of words took place in the senate between Mr. LaFollette, who was criticising methods of that body in the handling of appropriation bills, and Mr. Penrose, chairman of the committee on postoffices and postroads, who was in charge of the postoffice bill, then under discussion. Angry tones and a fiery attitude were assumed by the senator from Pennsylvania as he denounced the senator from Wisconsin, who stood quietly at his place on the other side of the chamber staring back at his big antagonist.

“My observation is that these appropriation bills get in here about as late for th£ long session as they do for the short session," said La Follette. “It seems to be part of the system that these most important legislative acts shall have little consideration." He said that the salary increases for the judiciary, for the high executive offices and for the vice president and the speaker of the house had been put through in that way. He stated he hoped the tariff bill would not be put through on a “greased runway.” “Claptrap Statesmanship.” Penrose interrupted to ask the senator from Wisconsin whether “he was delivering his regular lecture,” adding that he thought he had heard it all before. La Follette replied by charging that the senate had put off interstate commerce legislation for nine years and delayed the pure food law for seventeen by applying the same methods against which he was contending. At this point Penrose arose and said in a loud voice: * “I shall not sit silent In my seat when misstatements are made or claptrap statesmanship is attempted here. There is no senator who has a greater record for absenteeism than the gentleman from Wisconsin. It ill becomes him to criticise these committees. I shall not sft here and listen to arguments that might better be made by a vendor of a patent medicine from the tail duor of a cart in a village of Wisconsin than from a senator of the United States.” “Coarse and Vulgar Assault.” “I would have more confidence in statements made here," replied La Follette deliberately, “if senators referred to the declaration themselves." Then, standing in silence for a few seconds, the Wisconsin senator looked intently toward the senator from Pennsylvania. Framing his words with great deliberation, he continued: “Against his coarse and vulgar assault I put my record since I have been a member of this body." Penrose referred to the next amendment in the postofflee bill. La Follette at almost the same time addressing Vice President Fairbanks to make an Inquiry concerning the amendment. “Mr. President—Mr. President.” called the senator from Pennsylvania in a loud voice. For a moment both talked at the same time. Finally Penrose’s voice was beard declaring that he believed he had the floor. “The chair," said the vice president calmly “is undertaking to answer a very proper inquiry by the senator from Wisconsin.” “I did not understand," said Penrose. “I thought I had the floor and no one had the right to interrupt me without my consent.” The senate then adopted the bill that had caused all the trouble.