The Washington herald., 1908-04-05

With new rule which is characterized
as the most drastic that has been adopt
ed in the history Of the House Of Repre-
sentauves the majority yesterday sue
ceeded in making innocuous. for the day,
at least. the Democratic fIibuster. which
has delayed legislation in the House for
the better part OF a week. although #
did not altogether do away with the dila-
tory tactics which have been adopted
by the minority
Representative DaizeI, chairman Of the
Committee on Rules, brought in this new
gag at the outset Of the session yester-
day II provided for conferences on
Senate amendments to appropriation bills
and fo- the appointment Of conferees by
a single vote of The House It made iuo-
lions 70 take a recess privileged, even
over motions 10 adjoufn. and allowed the
House. before going into Committee of
the Whole. to limit general debate in the
committee. BY it the members Of the
minority were debarred from discussing
the rule. the previous question being or
dered Immediately
Adopted by Party Vote.
The rule was adopted by strictly
party vote. the yeas being l3S and the
navs lis. It's passage. however. was pre-
eeded by short exchange OF pleasantries,
in which the Speaker. the minority lead
err, Representative john Sharp Williams
and Alr. Dalzell took part The chairman
of the Rules Committee made brief
speech iu explanation cf the rule and lis
purpose. but if any of the minbrity heard
him they must have extraordinarily sharp
ears. lie was interrupted 10y all sorts OF
demonstrations on the Democratic side.
And in the course of mis- remarks he
made some thrusls at the minority which
were Interesting one indicating that Alr.
I palzel draws q distinction between two
words which have heretofore been con
sidered synonymous-' puerile ard child
ish" Re incidentally acknowledged that
the flibuster had been causing some
trouble to fhs majority
! Referring TO the course ef the Demo-
Gratis in conducting their flibHster Alr.
! DalzeH said that It was not only. as Floor
Leader Payne had called it. "puerne.
but it WAS also. and in addition thereto,
Childish. asinine, idiotic, and a disgrace
TO grown men,
SuIzer Starts Trouble.
Representative sulzer. the first and
original fHbuster. became trouble
some when AIR DalzeI attempted to
explain the rule. It needed explana-
tion. he declared, but he got no further
before the Speakers gaveI fell, and Mr.
Sulzer fell with the gaveL Later. in
Committee of the Whole, however. he
got the floor for FIVE minutes. despite
efforts to squelch him, and made
suggestion that found much favor
on the Democratic side-that a com
mittee on morgue be created in the
House rs & proper means of disp0sing
Of the good things" which he said the
majority failed TO recognize as such. IN
the way of bills for the benefit of the
people.
sir. Williams listened with attention
during Mr. DalzelTs remarks about the
minority. but when the gentleman from
Pennsylvania got through the minori-
~ leader was so busy trying TO ap-
pear uncOncerned over the remarks
that he lost his grip on the proceed
ings. and thereby missed an excellent
opportunity to do some delaying
The viva voce vote on the motion 10
adopt the rule had been taken, when
Mr. Williams came running down the
taisie from his seat and demanded a
| division. The Speaker had finished an
nouneing the fact that the ayes
I had it," bat the Democratic leader.
desiring to retrieve his lost ground
after the Speaker announced that his
demand for q division was too late. In
/ sisted that the Speaker had not. as
usual. used the words. the ayes seem
/ 10 have it," before saying the ayes
have it,"
Rubs IL In on Williams.
| Speaker Cannon declared that he had
paused and given the gentleman from
Mississippi an opportunity to demand a
division. but the opportunity had not
been grasped, and he had therefore re-
| luetantly closed il mp.
| Mr. Williams seemed to be doubtful. So
| the Speaker announced that he would
have the official notes Of his remarks
Transcribed and read Mr.. Williams de-
clared that he was perfectly satisfied
with the Speakers statement. but he did
not look it. and the official stenographer
duly transcribed and reported his notes.
upholding tie Speakers statement. The
minority leader. in duIcet tones. then de-
clared that he had not for a moment
doubted il. and he wanted the House the
country and the Speaker so 10 under
Estand him. The Speaker announced that
! he fully understood that the gentleman
from Mississippi had not intended to
question the word OF the Chair, and with
an elaborate bow, added that there
would be no personal difficulty between
himself and the minority leader. So the
thin Ice was passed over.
District BsH Taken Up.
Finally. after a roll call on the ques-
ton. the District appropriation bin was
taken up ia Committee of the Whole.
and SIR. DalzeiI took the chair. Imme-
diately fli6ustering tactics were again
resorted TO- Representative Henry. OF
Texas, moving TO strike out the first six
words Of the first paragraph of the bill.
Continued on rnEe =, Column :.
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