SENATOR'S RECORD SPEECH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 177, 25 July 1908, Page 15

SENATOR'S RECORD SPEECH.

ISi HOUKS , TALEKSG. A Washington message suya:— I'iirUaiUL'Uiary obstrucUouists as we know, uieiii were beateu houow by Senator Folitfiie, who has surpassed all-lecorus lor eerauununs talking jn the ; American Upper by speaking uiyuteen and a uuii Hours, ibis uinuziug leat, undertaken niiu mc übjeci of utihiug out aud deieuung mc Alurieh Currency iinl, a measure avowtuiy named 10 pre\eut a' repetition or the uioucy panic, tioui mc cu.eccs of which iiuencn is still suneniis, made the closing nours of the sixtieth American (Jongreas memorable ior a time. In America such a taider upou Parliamentary custom und patience is called a "filibuster," and to-day, throughout this coutiueut, Senator Follette, who spoke at an average rate of sixty words a minute, with a grand total of 66U.000 words, is hailed as the "champion filibuster." His amazing speech would fill, two averaee sized novels. Senator Follette has received many congratulations from admirers of oratorical strenuosity, and will be suitably banqueted by his countrymen to commemorate a feat of which they are undoubtedly proud. Other. filibusters were Senator .Stone, who spoke for six hours and forty-fire iiinutes, at an average rate of sixty words a minute, aud . Senator Gore, the blind legislator, whose verbal torrent, at an average rate of 188 words a minute, nearly baffled the official reporters, but fortunately only lasted twohours. Mr Gore was supposed to be good for a dozen hours, but a slip due to his blindness gave tie Republicans their chance. Mr Gore thought Senator Stone was present to continue the filibuster tactics, aud Silt down unexpectedly at C.30. Senator Aldrich seized his chance, and, by shrewd Parliamentary tactics, secured a roll call, and subsequently the passage of hie measure by forty-three votes to twentytwo. During twenty-seven continuous hours, Senators Follette, Stone, and Gore monopolised the Senate, aud when the end came it was unexpected, because Senator Jefl' Davis telegraphed that he was speeding to Washington prepared for a two days' speech, ttius keeping the House gol.'jfe al! Sunday and until Monday morning. >jft Davis is recognised as a hoU' terror once he is set coing, and even some of his friends seemed thankful that Mr Gore's mistake saved the Senate from the possibly horrible Cate of being tamed to death. 1 had the good fortune, says the "Daily Telegraph" correspondent, to sen Senator Follette in the Senate, concluding his speech. Despite recent illness, his voice at the close of the ISI hours was fairly good, and the man himself was apparently, far from exhausted. The Senator's actressdaughter, Lola, stayed up all ul.crht until six o'clock in the morning cheering her father from the gallery. The heat was oppressive all the time. The Senator spoke in a conversational tone, which could not be heard a few yards away. Throughout the day and night Senator Follette sustained himself on egg and milk; and on one occasion, during the roll-call, he ate a sand- : wich. He husbanded his strength by sitting . on the arm of his chair as he talked, and, for the most part the speech was delivered without the slightest emotion. Senator Gore, the blind legislator, helped Mr Follette considerably by rising as often . as possible, and saying. "I see that a quorum is not present, and I therefore make a point of order." The Senator kept a page at his side, who took count of departing senators. . '■■'~■■'■ ■ It win known that Sena/tor Stone would follow Senator Follette, and tlie; Hepub : " licans saw to it that Mr Stone snema not huve a moment's rest all night. Such senatore as remained within roll-call wailed away the time by- telling jokes and card Pl -Mr B Folletto. when lie left tlte. chamber early in the morning, seemed less fatigued (ii.-iii iminy of those who listened to him. He said his feet were more tired than his brain. Nevertheless, he refused to ride home in a •al) which his friends had provided, sayiiß. "I'll take a tram, as usual." Natually, much of his record speech consisted in be rending of extracts from books, but.it ras repleto with argument, humour, and arcasm, and was constantly interupted by the Senators, saying, "Speak luder." to which he always mildly replied, if you want to hear mc, sit closer." Until Mr Follette's performance, the preious long-distauce speech recoii! at Washlgton was held by Senator AUcu, of Nebaska, who, in 1803, spoke for 14 hours In ippositlon to the repeal of. 'the purchasin* lausa <*t tie feiicrmaji Act