The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-05

| BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.
Springfield. ILL.,. Feb. 4.--Gag rule triumphet
/ in the Illinois House as we'll as in the Sen
ate to-day
Speaker John H. Miller ruled to-day with
the gavel. needless OF the vociferous de.
mands for a roll call made by ten times the
constitutional number which may require a
recorded vote. The same decision was ex-
hibited by the Speaker by Lieutenant
Governor Northcott in the upper body yes
terday.
The expected happened. The majority re-
port of the Committee on Rules was rem
dered. Jim Wilson CDem.) offered in success
sion three amendments. On viva voce vote
they were defeated under the hammer the
Sherman Republicans silent. Judge Sher-
man offered his amendment. eloquently sus-
tanning 1t.
Upon the motion to lay the latter on the
table. the ayes frtpsthe administration Re
publicans were smothered by the vehement
nays from the Sherman men and from the
entire Democratic side. Yet down with a
crash came the gavel.
AMENDMENT TABLED.
The ayes seem to have it, the ayes have
is tabled"
The Sherman amendment was framed to
take power from what are termed white
wash committees. which are charged with
burylng movements to Investigate affairs of
the State and State Institutions. In arguing
for the amendment Judge Sherman declared
that personally he had no reason to fear
such Investigation and that the State Off
GERS should not fear it. but that the obloquy
or the accusation should be removed by re-
vealing it to be unfounded.
The other amendments were aimed at Sc
curing special order of business on Thurs
days for resolutions, and to obtain roll
call on all propositions involving the ex-
penditure of public moneys.
When the Speakers gavel whacked the
hnr,
rose Gale johnson (Dem) to offer a MI
nority report of the Rules Committee. the
addition of the Democratic amendments
In speaking upon his motion to adopt the
substitute, Mr.. johnson arraigned the
Speakers course in no sparing language.
RIGHTS DEMANDED.
The Democratic member pointed out that
the Constitution provides. and that the very
rules by which the Speaker controls the
granted upon the demand of five members.
Fifty members rose and cried out for this
nority report was tabled The constitutional
right. Of not five, but a majority, of the
House. the Sherman men being silent, was
ignored.
Nor upon the adoption of the majority
report of the Rules Committee was a roll
call vouchsafed. 1t went through in the
same manner and the rules of the Firty-
third General Assembly were declared car
ried and in effect.
1alk was current, after the House ad-
journed this morning. that the Sherman eff
fort to secure the amendments proposed
was not sincere: that the appearance Of
fight was a bluff. This arose from the un-
derstanding that the Sherman representa-
tives were weakening. that influence ema-
mating from Senator-elect Hopkins and
from Federal sources. had been brought to
bear.
HOPKINSS HAND.
Hopkins, to continue his superior inf1u-
ence with the President in Illinois matters,
te cnfI hnu NLat
there must be- Representatives McRoberts
and Black of Peoria, Iserman and Peder-
sen and Castle, all from the northern part
of the State, and others from the central
and southern section. are mentioned in this
connection. Several of them. when seen, ad-
mitted that they had heard Hopkins had
But all maintained that neither the Pres
ident himself, nor Hopkins. nor anybody
else, could move them; that they stand
shoulder to shoulder with Sherman, when
1t comes to distinct issue; and the issue
most distinct. apparently, is the Interesting
ernor.
Mr.. Chipperfield presented the majority
on o ihe the rules RULES after the
and then Mr.. Wilson offered the first
amendment-that referring to resolutions i
When 1t was voted down. Mr.. Wilson of
fered his second amendment-that bills and
resolutions be referred to the Appropriation
Committee. unless otherwise disposed of
ny tHt
Then came the Sherman amendment to
Rule No. Is 1t reads:
Except when a resolution shall be offered to
appoint select committee and the designation
or selection of the same shall be provided for in
such resolution. in which case the resolution
shall lie over for one legislative day and shall
hereafter be in order in other cases and shall.
with all motions relating thereto, be disposed OF
by a majority vote to be ascertaiEed by call
Of the roll for the yeas and nays, such call to |
be entered upon the journal of the House. /
SHERMAN 1RONlCAL. |
UNFOLDING his amendment. Judge Eher- |
man delivered one OF his clean-cut argu- |
nents, teeming with yelled irony. He paid |
tribute to the Senate. saying that he was |!
sratified to perceive that that august body |
1ad shown that t could learn something |
rom the House.
Mr.. Speaker said Mr.. Sherman, at has |
been suggested that these committees.
xnown as special or select committees,
would be affected by. the amendment to rule |
No. Is. That is designed for that purpose |
70 prevent once for all the appointment of |
men on these committees whose principal |
Weapon Of warfare is the whitewash brush. |
Now, IL we do not adopt this rule, we will |
,e charged with taking refuge behind the I
I'D rules in order that whitewash commit
ees may be appointed.
There is nothing in this State that won't |
sand the most searching fnvestiga ton, and
he more it IS Investigated the more will
ts splendid management appear. The more