The Washington times., 1905-01-25
HIGHER SALARIES
LOST BY A FLUKE
Parliamentary Trick Cuts
Off Teachers Pay.
CALLED NEW LEGISLATION
To the Disgust Of Members on Both
Sides Popular Project Is
SidetIacked.

Representative McCleary of Minnesota
Is not popular among the public school
teachers of Washington. By means of
4 point of order raised by him yester-
day to an amendment to the District
appropriation bill. ne defeated a propo-
sition 10 raise the teachers salaries that
bade fair to receive almost the unani-
NOUS approval of both sides of the
House.
The final decision to uphold the chairs
ruling on tie point of order followed
an animated debate on the floor, in
which Mr.. Foster of Vermont, Mr.. Cock
ran of New York, Mr.. Vandiver of Mis-
souri,. and Mr. Gardner of Michigan
Were the principal participants. Champ
Clark Of Missouri also contributed to
the discussion. Save Mr.. Gardner, all
who spoke We're in favor of the increase
OF the salaries of the teachers. Mr..
Cochran, especially, made an eloquent
and ;mpassioned speech, in the course
of which he declared the manner in
which the Government treated its teacn-
ers was a reproaek 10 the whole people
of the nation
Gardner in Opposition.
MIR. Gardner led the opposition to the
increase. He declared the salaries paid
sAS lNdSHSlS VI lie DiStI1cl DOfe d
proper proportion to those paid other
officials and employees OF the National
Government, and that the road to pro-
motion was always Open He received
no approval; the Democratic members
OF the House, usually the strenuous op-
ponents Of increased appropriations
We're the most enthusiastic advocates of
the proposition to add a reasonable sum
TO the teachers pay
The debate upon the point of order
raised by Mr.. McCieary was almost
amusing. The chair, occupied at the
time by Mr. Mann of Illinois. approved
reluctantly, and with the statement
that every rule of logic and every die
late OF common sense denounced 1t as
ABSURD Upon the appeal from the de-
eIsien majority of the members of the
house voted TO sustain the chair and
then applauded Iustily-clanking the
parliamentary chain in which they con-
Iessed themselves bound with as much
pride as if the chains were spun OF gold
and decked with diamonds.
A Technical Defect.
The rules of the House forbid the in
PRODUCTION OF measures changing exist
ing law in appropriation bills. and it was
ON this provision that sdr McClearv's
point of order was based Mr McCleary
announced himself that he raised the
point with reluctance and had TOO much
seif-respect to say anything in fayo,
OF its logic or good sense. Nobody saio
anything in favor Of it.
As Il matter OF fact there is NO general
law fixing the salaries of the publ,
school teachers OF the District. the sal.
aries being named and provided for an
Euaiiy IN the District appropriation bill
MI Mann ruled that the precedents OF
the House were 10 the effect that the
salary fixed in an existing appropria.
ton bill is the legal salary and that ir
an appropriation bill this cannot bt
changed.
Set by Precedent.
As an original proposition" said Mr.
Mann, Il should not so rule, but my de
eision IS constrained by the fixed prac
tice or former occupants of the chair.
Mr. Cochran appealed from the deci
sion and made an earnest plea in fayo
oil breaking line Of precedents so OBJ
Vlousiy absurd. Mr.. Cochran said tn,
rule left the House, sitting In Corrnitte,
OF the Whole, no freedom of action aut
made its deliberations on any appro
priation bill an utter farce Whateye
the Committee on Appropriat tiorls nigh
decide TO do the House would have I,
approve
On show of hands the vote was II I,
.5 TO oVerrule the decision OF the chair
but Mr. McCieary demanded tellers ant
lhen the members OF the House showes
their hands in real earnest The char
was sustained by a vote of 9S to 81
inen came the applause. Member
fairly "chortled in their glee'' 1t wa,
an admirable tribute to the accuracy q
That definition which describes tn
House OF Representatives as a .-grea
C.-ilberatiye assembly" ."