The Savannah morning news., 1902-03-02

while his associates are being drenched
to the skin. The equinoctial storm is
at hand and may prove unusually vio-
lent. 1t may occur when the war reve-
nue. reduction bill reaches the stage
of senatorial consideration. The ship
ping bounty bill is sure to bring on a
gale, and a typhoon is predicted when
our relations with Cuba become the
subject of discussion.
There are several storm centers in
the House of Representatives. Squalls
here rage with virulent violence, but
are of short duration and can be
stopped at any time by the application
of the Reed rules. These are always
brought into play whenever the end
justifies the means. One of the storm
centers is desk ia. 1t stands we'll
back on the minority side of the House.
Its occupant is a slim gentleman, with
a pleasant face and quiet manners
He has a clear voice and can be heard
from one end of the chamber to the
other. He is David A De Almond,
once a circuit judge in the wild turkey
section of Missouri. Storms arising
at this center are apt to create much
damage The sky there is carefully
noted by the weather experts in the
employ of the majority. Furious fur
ries concentrate here when tariff and
Philippine legislation comes up, and
occasionally reach the dimensions or
a hurricane.
De Almond is a spellbinder in argu-
ment. In discussion he copes with the
ablest warriors of the opposition and
is frequently successful. With great
reserve force, he Is naturally deliber-
ate in action and can never be swerved
from the point at issue. His ability
as a parliamentarian has frequently
been demonstrated. He catches the
ear of the House by addressing it con-
versationally, and at times with in
tense effect. Having visited the Phil
ippines, he knows something about
tropical storms and their destructive
ness. When the sky is as black as
ink and the moaning of the approach
ing tempest is heard his sarcasm and
power of retort come into play like
chain lightning. De Almond has
served ten years in Congress and has
strong following in the House.
The titular storm center, however.
is desk So, occupied by James D.
Richardson, of Tennessee. He is the
chosen and recognized leader of the
minority. Tall and thin and as supple
as rubber hose, he is thoroughly
versed in all sorts of parliamentary
law. Indeed, he is as well read in the
Reed rules as in Cushing's and Jeffer-
sons manuals. Shrewd and sagacious,
versatile and obliging, facile and ex-
perienced, he towers above his as
sociates like SAUL the son of Kish
Quick and bright in retort, he is con-
vincing in argument. His voice is
clear and ringing and can be heard
above the utmost confusion. This is
ninth term in the House, While
hardly an expert in producing a, storm,
he rejoices in stormy weather and
glides through it like a petrol. He ex-
orcised the political elements in fight
ing the Committee on Rules over it's
special order for the consideration of
the war revenue repeal bill. The
breeze lasted an hour, and then Mr..
Richardson moved TO recommit the
special order, but the Speaker ruled
the motion out of order. Mr.. Rich
ardson quoted two rulings by Speaker
Reed to prove that the motion was in
order, and Mr.. Henderson referred to
two rulings from Speaker Crisp to
show that it was not in order.
Thereupon the leader of the mi
nority called Gen. Henderson's atten-
ton to the fact that the Reed rulings
were made subsequent to the Crisp
rulings The general, however, replied
that the precedent made by the Geor-
gian was good enough for him, and
the Tennesseean took an appeal. The
storm was quelled when every Demo-
crat in the House voted to sustain the
ruling of Tom Reed, and every Re
publican voted to sustain the prece-