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{{cquote|I duly received your letter of July. 14, relating to the Anti-Lynching Bill. I have been in touch with this bill while it has been pending before the Judiciary Committee. Many questions arose concerning the various provisions of the bill, and the objections in the opinion of the majority of the Judiciary Committee were finally met by amendments, and the bill favorably reported.

{{cquote|I duly received your letter of July. 14, relating to the Anti-Lynching Bill. I have been in touch with this bill while it has been pending before the Judiciary Committee. Many questions arose concerning the various provisions of the bill, and the objections in the opinion of the majority of the Judiciary Committee were finally met by amendments, and the bill favorably reported.

In common with you and with all Amer can citizens, I insist upon the enforcement of the law and abhor its violation. is no worse blot upon our civilization than mob violence and lynching. The bill now presented by the Judiciary Committee meets the evil and endeavors to afford a cure. I am very glad to do what lies in my power in behalf of this measure.|||Sen. Hiram W. Johnson (R–CA) to NAACP leader Walter F. White, early 1920s}}

In common with you and with all American citizens, I insist upon the enforcement of the law and abhor its violation. is no worse blot upon our civilization than mob violence and lynching. The bill now presented by the Judiciary Committee meets the evil and endeavors to afford a cure. I am very glad to do what lies in my power in behalf of this measure.|||Sen. Hiram W. Johnson (R–CA) to NAACP leader Walter F. White, early 1920s}}

 

===Judiciary Committee approval===

===Judiciary Committee approval===

Despite approval of the Dyer Bill by the Judiciary Committee already at the end of June, Republican senators hesitated to introduce the bill to the floor throughout August 1922 and the first half of September.<ref name=tarbert/> Procrastinating until the final full day of the congressional session prior to adjourning as the midterm elections approached, Shortridge in the afternoon of September 21, securing the floor, prepared to introduce the bill. However, upon yielding towards two party party colleagues, Mississippi Democratic senator Byron P. "Pat" Harrison invoked a [[point of order]], interrupting for two hours. By the time Shortridge had the ability to regain the chamber, the absence of numerous senatorial colleagues, who departed for the evening, created the absence of a [[quorum]].<ref name=tarbert/>

Despite approval of the Dyer Bill by the Judiciary Committee already at the end of June, Republican senators hesitated to introduce the bill to the floor throughout August 1922 and the first half of September.<ref name=tarbert/> Procrastinating until the final full day of the congressional session prior to adjourning as the midterm elections approached, Shortridge in the afternoon of September 21, securing the floor, prepared to introduce the bill. However, upon yielding towards two party party colleagues, Mississippi Democratic senator Byron P. "Pat" Harrison invoked a [[point of order]], interrupting for two hours. By the time Shortridge had the ability to regain the chamber, the absence of numerous senatorial colleagues, who departed for the evening, created the absence of a [[quorum]].<ref name=tarbert/>

In the subsequent [[1922 Midterm Elections|1922 midterm elections]], the Senate Republicans lost a net of six seats, shrinking their majority from 59 to 53 and narrowing chances of obtaining cloture against a looming Democratic filibuster if the Dyer Bill was brought up in the subsequent Congress. Although the 68th Congress would not take place until after the [[lame duck session]], President Harding's urge to Senate Republicans to pass the Dyer Bill proved futile, no longer carrying significant influence due to the resounding midterm defeats.<ref name=tarbert/>

In the subsequent [[1922 Midterm Elections|1922 midterm elections]], the Republican Party's majorities in both houses of Congress were slashed to narrow majorities as a result of dissatisfaction towards the Harding Administration.<ref name=blackleaderstwentiethcentury,p.98/> the Senate Republicans lost a net of six seats, shrinking their majority from 59 to 53 and narrowing chances of obtaining cloture against a looming Democratic filibuster if the Dyer Bill was brought up in the subsequent Congress. Although the 68th Congress would not take place until after the [[lame duck session]], President Harding's urge to Senate Republicans to pass the Dyer Bill proved futile, no longer carrying significant influence due to the resounding midterm defeats.<ref name=tarbert/>

Shortridge's parliamentary skills proved unable to overcome that of Democratic opponents Harrison and Oscar W. Underwood of Alabama.<ref name=greenidge/> In the [[lame duck session]], Shortridge tried taking up the bill once again November 27 and faced a prepared Democratic filibuster led by Sen. Harrison and later described by a correspondent of the ''New York Tribune'' as "the most effective [old timers] have seen in years."<ref name=tarbert/> Amidst a deadlock the following day, the Republican caucus affirmed to continue fighting on behalf of the Bill, though Southern Democrats were more forceful in their determination to see its defeat, vowing to let the filibuster sustain until the end of the lame duck session.<ref name=tarbert/>

Shortridge's parliamentary skills proved unable to overcome that of Democratic opponents Harrison and Oscar W. Underwood of Alabama.<ref name=greenidge/> In the [[lame duck session]], Shortridge tried taking up the bill once again November 27, at the urging of James Weldon Johnson during a special session of Congress called by Harding for the purpose of approving subsidies benefiting the overseas shipping industry;<ref name=blackleaderstwentiethcentury,p.98/> he faced a prepared Democratic filibuster led by Sen. Harrison and later described by a correspondent of the ''New York Tribune'' as "the most effective [old timers] have seen in years."<ref name=tarbert/> Amidst a deadlock the following day, the Republican caucus affirmed to continue fighting on behalf of the Bill, though Southern Democrats were more forceful in their determination to see its defeat, vowing to let the filibuster sustain until the end of the lame duck session.<ref name=tarbert/>

Democratic threats to block any Senate business until the Dyer Bill was withdrawn—consistent with their history of parliamentary tactics—caused the lukewarm Republicans, who did not place anti-lynching legislation as their top priority, to abandon the fight.<ref>"Peaceful Revolution," p. 96.</ref> On December 2, the Senate Republican caucus agreed to surrender the battle; two days later, Lodge acquiesced to Harrison, who demanded the GOP to avoid bringing up the Dyer Bill in the subsequent congressional session.<ref name=tarbert/>

Democratic threats to block any Senate business until the Dyer Bill was withdrawn—consistent with their history of parliamentary tactics—caused the lukewarm Republicans, who did not place anti-lynching legislation as their top priority, to abandon the fight.<ref>"Peaceful Revolution," p. 96.</ref> On December 2, the Senate Republican caucus agreed to surrender the battle; two days later, Lodge, along with Republican colleague James Eli Watson of Indiana,<ref=blackleaderstwentiethcentury,p.99>"Black Leaders of the Twentieth Century," p. 99.</ref> acquiesced to Harrison, who demanded the GOP to avoid bringing up the Dyer Bill in the subsequent congressional session.<ref name=tarbert/>

==Aftermath==

==Aftermath==