WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS READ AS PART OF FILIBUSTER IN OPPOSITION TO SHIPPING BILL
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 22, 1923, George Washington "was unintentionally enlisted..." in a United States Senate filibuster* in opposition to President Warren G. Harding's shipping bill.
With a motion pending to take up the bill, Senator Carter Glass** (D-Virginia) upon being recognized proceeded "to read Washington's farewell address."
The reading, which took 45 minutes, "gave opponents of the ship bill an opportunity to map out their program of further dilatory tactics."
*filibuster is a political procedure in which one or more members of a legislative body prolongs debate on proposed legislation to delay or prevent it coming to a floor vote.
**Carter Glass (1858-1946) was born in Lynchburg, Virginia & became editor of the Lynchburg News, 1887. CG served in the US House of Representatives 1902-1918, Secretary of Treasury 1918-1920, & U.S. Senate 1920-1946.
SOURCE
"Even Washington Helps Filibuster," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 22, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
