The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-13
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

strong disposition to apply a corrective.
! This may not be done at the beginning Of
1 the next Congress. The gentleman at
/ present occupying the Office Of Speaker
/ is quite tactful and has many winning
ways 20 make il easy for the member
/ ship Of the House to submit to- or rather
\ TO continue to endure, his exercise Of au-
/ tOcratic power which they have biindly
/ conferred upon him. If any serious effort
/ Is made TO restore to the House the
/ privilege OF exercising its proper func-
/ tions-the right actually to take part in
/ the legislation Of the cOuntry-Mr WILL
/ Jams. as minority leader. undoubtedly
/ could render a most valuable and lasting
/ service. He has the ability, and he is 50
/ constituted that he would prove especially
valuable in this task
Undoubtedly" said Mr.. Burleson. "Mr.
| Williams leadership in the first session
/ Of this Congress was pre- eminently sue
/ cessful So brilliant and effective have
/ been his presentations Of the evils which
! have grown up under the dominance Of
/ the Republican party, and especially the
/ dangers Of continuing in power those in
control at this particular time that when
/ the Congress adjourned it was generally
/ recognized as not only possible, but ex-
tremely probable. that the Sixtie1h Con-
[
was repeatedly stated ia the leading
new spapsrs Of the country. both Demo
cratic and Republican Indeed, in private
conversation nine out Of Every zen Of the
leading members Of the dominant PARTY
in both the Senate and the House would
admit at that time that the chances Of
success were all with the Democrats.
Bryan's Speech Killed Prospects.
But, unfortunately" continued the
Texas Congressman. a speech was made
last summer over which Mr.. Williams
could exercise no control, though he made
a trip across the ocean in his efforts to
do so. That speech completely destroyed
these bright prospects. Through no fault
Of the Mississippian, the Sixtieth Con-
gress viii be Republican.
The Democrats having been defeated
in my opinion the important work now
IN hand is, If possible. 10 emancipate the
House Of Representatives-to once more
restore 10 it its functions as a part Of the
legislative machinery OF our country.
With the exception Of the small CO.
terie surrounding the Speaker, every self
respecting member at heart revOlts
against present conditions in this respect:
are willing 10 continue the self-abase-
ment which follows the existing system.
In order to accomplish what their con-
sttuents demand Of them, 1t is well
known that a strong minority Of the ma
j0rity is determined 20 effect a change
not because Of any objection to the dis
unguished gentleman who at present oc-
cupieS the Speakers chair, and will be
continued there during the next Con-
gress, but because they recognize that
every Congressional district has the right
to send 10 the body q representative who |
is there TO become a factor in the Iegisla-
ton Of our country. and not. as under
present conditions, a mere insignificant
cog in a great wheel which is being
turned by one hand. In my opinion it is
the duty OF the minority-and feel sure
Mr.. Williams viii Cooperate with that
self-respecung minority Of the majority
10 relieve the existing intolerable condi- 1
tons
This reform Of the rules viii be ac-
c0mplshed Il may be that il will fail
next year, for the reasons have stated, /
but il is sure 10 come. The country uU-
dOubtedly favors il. Patriotic men, with
out reference 10 party affiliations. who
have given studious thought TO the condi-
tons now environing the House. are in
accord in their fnsistence that the House
shall again become a deliberative body
IN fact, consisting Of the direct repre-
sentatives Of the people, as il does. IL
should be the potential body in all mat
tiers Of legislation affecting the peoples
interest, just as the House OF Commons
Of Great Britain is in that country to-
day. To bring this about is a matter OF
easy accomplishment. and I feel sure Mr.
Williams, If continued in his present posi-
ton. VIII Cooperate with any forces
which viii aid in doing so.
Puts Reform on High Plane.
7 think the minority should do this.
not with a view TO obtaining partisan
advantage" continued Mr. Burleson.
but for the broader purpose Of further
ing the best interests Of the country. We
should courageously announce our policy
at the beginning OF the next Congress
and aid the minority Of the majority in
its efforts 70 make the proposed reform
effective. If we fail in this. but secure
control Of the House in the Sixty-first
Congress. we should not then be con-
troiled by a petty desire to get even by
doing unto others as they did unto us,
as was the case once before. On the
other hand, we should honestly undertake
to effect promptly the reforms we con-
tended for when in the minority.
why do I say this reform is a matter
Of easy accomplishment? Because It isl
because every member knows exactly
where the trouble lies. Under the rules
the Speaker is given authority. first. to
appoint committees, including the Com
mittee on Rules. second. through the |
Committee on Rules, 70 direct and control |
legislation. and. third. TO control the floor |
through his power Of recognition. With
these three powers vested III one member |
Of the House. the work is done. That |
moment every other member. though he |
is presumably the equal of any of his !
fellows in legislative authority. becomes
mere autOmatOn. or, rather. only a /
part of a machine which registers the |
Will Of his fellOw-member who has been |
clothed with all that aUtOcratic authority. |
Only simple fool, under such circum- |