(3 of 4)
Ultimatum. Ferguson raged; Taft grew grim. At last, Taft made himself heard long enough to call first for a recess until noon of the next day (Saturday). Then, he said in cold anger, he would wait until Monday. And then, "if those who are now blocking the organization of the Senate have not changed their minds, I propose to keep the Senate in session to break this. Use of the filibuster on such an occasion for such an inconsequential purpose is so unjustifiable that if you do not change your minds you are going to face a complete change of the rules of this Senate, face a change that will bring about cloture on any subject. We cannot begin a session facing the threat of a filibuster on every measure we may bring up."
Overton growled: "The Senator from Ohio [Taft] is not yet the whole Senate, no matter what he may think about it." South Carolina's Burnet Maybank shouted hoarsely: "After all, Mississippi is a sovereign state." After all, Bilbo was Mississippi's choice. Bilbo slouched at his old desk, clutching his cigar.
Ellender Yields. Hour after hour, next day, the filibuster rolled on. Ellender and New Mexico's Carl Hatch, author of the act under which Bilbo stood accused, excoriated the Republicans. Taft and Ferguson waited. They had served notice that the Senate would be held in session Saturday night, Sunday, continuously thereafter until the filibuster collapsed.
Late in the afternoon there began an unusual scurrying around on the floor. Senators began to gather in huddles. Minority Leader Alben Barkley lumbered over to the Democratic cloakroom door and talked at length with the man who stood there, just inside, nervously flicking at his lips with a handkerchief—Bilbo.
Ellender had the floor. Barkley went and whispered in his ear. Bilbo opened his door a crack so that he could watch. He watched Ellender yield the floor to Barkley, who promised to give it back if Ellender still wanted it "after he has heard what I have to say."
"Until Such Time." Ponderously Barkley said what he had to say. He was sure the Senate wanted to "compose the situation." Bilbo had been a member for twelve years. Now "the Senator-elect from Mississippi is an ill man. He has an infection of the mouth. Physicians pronounced it cancer." Bilbo closed the door.
Barkley's voice rumbled on. Bilbo had already had one operation. He had told Barkley the night before that he had to have another.
For the first time in two days the Senate chamber and the crowded galleries were still. Bilbo's colleagues had long been aware of his illness.
Possibly he has "a malignant growth" in one cheek, Barkley continued to explain. At any rate, Mr. Bilbo must return to Mississippi. He might be there as long as two months. "I ask unanimous consent that his credentials lie on the table without prejudice and without action until such time as Mr. Bilbo may return."
Instantly Taft was on his feet to agree. The situation was "composed." Bilbo shuffled down the corridors. Behind him the Senate, suddenly in jovial humor, began swearing in the rest of its new members. Up to the desk Taft escorted his colleague, John Bricker, who blushed like a June bride.