The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-09
SYCAMORE
IS MOVED DOWN

The indefatigable Tall Sycamore
from East Greenwich who was so
anxious to force through the house OF
representatives last Friday all the 50
odd rules that had been agreed upon
by the Braytonian committee, changed
his tactics yesterday In the house, when
he found that the Democratic and Lin
coin party representatives we're gain
ing strength and had defeated him
twice. when, backed by Judge Harris
and Col. Bliss, representatives OF two
more country towns, he had sought TO
defeat the creation OF a committee on
labor and then to limit that committee
tn only five members
The Tell Sycamore took refuge in
motion 10 adjourn. which was carried.
Democrats voting with Republicans for
~ because they did not desire to spend
oil day discussing the more than a
dozen rules that remained untouched.
-Four Of the Republican represen-
tstives who broke sway from the ma
iority, whose greatest majority Is but
six, remained with the Democrats on
all questions affecting the committee
on labor. These were Messrs. Wood
mansee, Wood. Goblin and Luther.
Had the full Democratic strength
been present throughout the voting the
on about every roll call by at least
two majority AS ~ was. they COM
mitted the rule defining the duties of
the committee on labor 20 the yet un-
born committee on rules instructing
the speaker, who was chairman OF the
graveyard committee last year. 10
hold the resolution. or rule until that
committee is created
Speaker Burchard found it necessary
20 do a lot OF explaining yesterday
without stretching his prerogatives or
making unnecessary speeches. Taking
advantage OF his proliNity, the Demo-
Gratis frequently requested explanations,
which the raucous-voiced one wa5 al
ways only too willing 10 give.
The Democrats also made deter
mined effort TO force him TO leave the
chair and defend some OF the rules;
hut they baited Mr.. Burchard tn vain
The only thing he bit at was a big
sandwich from the house restaurant
He had left the chair for a moment
or two and the lanky statesman had
taken his place when the motion 10
send the rule defining the duties OF
the committee on labor was about TO
be voted upon.
Returning 90 the house with a sandwich
IN one hand and a cup OF steaming coffee
IN the other he was recorded In favor OF
the temporary strangulstion OF the labor
rule, and then hurried out again. His
vote won for his side, giving the Republi-
cans % 10 2S for the Democrats, "a mem
bers being paired and one absent.
Nothing has been more fully demon
strated during the past four days OF the
present session than that OF the Repub-
licans are not in II at all with the Demo-
Gratis as debaters. They offer almost no
arguments their champions depending
upon such stereotyped statements as IT
do not think this rule should be amend
ed or this requires more considera-
tion."
While Que OF the members OF the Prov
idence delegation was delivering an ef-
fective address yesterday, Mr.. Hogap. tbs
minority leader. turned to Mr.. Carroll.
who sits next to him. with the remark.
"Is there anybody on our side who cannot
make a good speech"
During the debate Representa- tive Theo-
dore r. Greene ot this city, who delivered
one OF the most telling speeches against
the attempt To rush through rule % with
out amendment, was called to order by
the speaker for '1mpugning the motives"
OF members on the Republican side IN
casting their votes
Mr.. Greene denied that he had done So
And later Mr.. Hogan took up the cudsels
In behalf OF his colleague, and declared
that all of his statements had been fully
Justified by tho utterances of the lanky
one last Friday. when Mr. Allen nad as
Just as they were presented
Mr.. Allen seems 10 rely largely upon i'm |
psssloned oratory Of the kind that sets
UP men OF straw and knocks them down.
For Instance, he is always resenting some
imaginary insult the minority, according |
10 him. Is responsible for; and he works |
himself into quite fury apparently, a 3
n any one would suspect the veteran ex-
speaker and right arm Of the boss OF any
chicsne in matters legislative.
Judge Harris. on the other hand Is
always either apparently overf'owing with
the milk of human kindness and benevo-
lence or as grave as n Roman senator |
even when the matter under consideration
Is apparently trifing. He'd never take
advantage Of the minority nor OF the
mepority either, not for any possible con-
ceivabls consideration Certainly not.
All he asks for is the most Implicit |
chilGhke confidence I'm his personal assur-
enoes that everything will come out most
delightfully."- II YOU will only let him have
his winning way, even n he is on the
losing side
TnFs Judge physically resembles Napoleon |
only he is far more deliberate and impress
sive than was 'the Little Corporal" and |
he is more unctuous. In parliamentary |
strategy, too he has the great one beaten |
ell hollow, always massing has political |
battalions as Napoleon massed his SOL |
diers, at the point or least resistance. at
tempting to defeat the enemy In detail |
rather than meeting them In unnecessary |
pitched battles
Representative Rattey. who was the |
minority leader last year. In still heard |
from occasionally, though ne is so far |
back that he is less tmpreSsive and efteo- |
tive than he was at the last session.
The creation by the house OF the oom- |
rnittee on labor recalls like action come |
Years ago when former Gov Lucius r. G. |
Gsrvin was a member OF that body and II |
had no COMMITTEES on special legislation. |