The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-12-05
CONGRESS MEETS.
Cannon Reelected Speaker ;
Crowds Cheer Leader.


decided upon Uncle Joe as a
successor to himself, nominated
the Illinois member. The chair
man of the Democratic caucus
placed John Sharp Williams, OF
Mississippi, the minority's candi-
date, before the house as the
proper man to be elected leader.
Nobody was at all surprised
when Uncle oe won in walk.
Announcement of the result was
made by the tellers, two Repub-
lican and two Democratic mem
bers, selected by the clerk, and
then the newly elected speaker
was escorted to the rostrum by
a committee headed by his riv-
al, the Mississippian.
Crowds OF men and women
who in their way represent the
citizenship. the chivalry and the
fashion of the country at the ma
tional capital, thronged the SEN
ate AMI House galleries to wit
ness the Inauguration of new
Congress. Hundreds who came
late packed the gallery corridors
and waited with varying degrees
of patience for the ticket-holders
and early birds to become bored
and depart so as to give them a
chance near the finish 10 say that
they had seen and heard some
thing of the curtain-raiser to
the winters session.
The star figure in the stage
setting was a rank outsider. IN so
far as the personnel OF Congress
is concerned. but one who is lar
from being a noncombatant IN
the politics that underlie the
present situation. w. ]. Bryan of
Nebraska it was. An actor with
out set part. he walked upon
the floor of the House fifteen
minutes before the gavel fell,
evoking full five minutes of
cheers, handclapping and yells
from his party colleagues there
gathered, and equally tumultous
enthusiasm among his admirers
in the galleries
Bryan, the foreordained candi-
date for the presidency on the
Democratic ticket, was not there
merely for show. For three hours
he was he busiest parsonage IN
sight. Under the spell OF his
magnetism the Democratic min
ority grew enthusiastic over the
attack made upon the House
rules. and in a series of personal
conferences individual members
heard from his lips the outline
of policies which he insists shall
be followed to shape the charac-
ter of the approaching national
campaign.
An attack upon the House
rules is an incident to the open
ing day Of every Congress. Rare
ly, however, as happened Mon
day. does a member of the we'll
disciplined majority kick over
the traces. Representative Coop
er of Wisconsin, who has been
chairman of the committee on In
sular affairs ever since its crea-
ton, had the temerity to give ut
terance TO convictions which
many of his colleagues hold but
dare not express. Speaker Cannon
had made his salutatory speech
and was in the chair, and John
Sharp Williams, the minority
leader. had made the protest fol-
his side against the adoption OF
the rules which place so much
power in the hands of the pre-
siding officer.
Then, as Mr.. Williams cen-
cluded, Mr.. Cooper arose and
shot his bolt. He declared that
the rules were all wro that
the speaker and two men on
the speaker appointed to reflect
his will had absolute say as to
what legislation should be con
sidered. Members were depend
ent absolutely upon the speaker
for recognition to get unanimous
consent to have a measure called
up. In Mr.. Coopers opinion the
system was unrepublican and un
democratic.
1t was Cooper's contention
that the speaker, like the speak
err of the house of commons
should be merely a presiding of
fccr. and he declared that Mr.
Cannon could lead his party
better or the floor, with freedom
of action allowed to all mem
bers.
The attack forced Speaker
Cannon 80 come to the defense
of his office. and this he did, after
Mr.. DeArmond of Missouri, had
followed Mr.. Cooper. In sum
ming up he said:
"The chair desires to state that
the speaker of the House is the
servant CT the House, and it is IT
the power of the House of Rep
resentatives, as a question OF the
highest privilege, at any time tc
elect a successor to any member
who may hold this great Office
When special orders or special
rules are made, as they have been
made under all administrations
at least for twenty years, no rule
can be v:talized, can become ef-
fective. until majority of the
House has adopted it under the
constitution and rules of the