Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-04-05
DEMOCRATS
ARE HELPLESS
IN CONGRESS
REPUBLICAN MAJORITY RULES
WITH IRON HAND
LONG DEBATES AND DELAYS
WILL BE EXCLUDED
Speaker Cannon and His Allies Sue
ceed In Tying Hands of the
Majority In Lower
House

By I -socfated Press.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-By adopt
ing a sweeping closure rule in the
house today the Republicans left to the
Democrats very limited powers.
No longer can flibuster be con-
Quoted against sending to conference
bills with senate amendments: no long
er can a motion to close debate be
amended or discussed. and no longer
can a motion to adjourn take prece-
dence over a motion to take recess.
on presenting the rule Mr.. Dalzell
characterized the Democratic filibuster
of the last few days as asinine, idiotic
and a disgrace to men.
The Democratic were afforded no op-
portunity to talk on the question and
were ridden over rough shod. They
tried TO get even short time after
ward by various ways, seeking to
amend the District of Columbia appro-
priation bill and then forcing diyi-
sion of the house, but the Republicans,
observing the tactics that were being
pursued, secured a ruling from the
chair that all the motions were dila-
tory.
From that time on for the remainder
of the session the house resumed its
wonted aspect and business proceeded
in an orderly manner
One of the few privileges left to the
Democrats was to force a roll call on
adjournment, and this they did, but to
no avail as the motion carried over
whelmingly.
After Mr.. williams, the minority
leader, had forced a roll call on the
adoption of the journal Mr.. Dalzell of
Pennsylvania presented. rules whereby
house bill with senate amendments
shall be sent to conference or the
amendments agreed to without any in
tervening motion of any kind being al
lowed.
Only One Roll Call
This rule will permit but one roll call
on either of the two propositions. The
rule also contained q drastic provision
that for the remainder of the session a
motion to take a recess shall be privi-
legged and have precedence over a mo-
tion to adjourn, the question to be de-
cided without debate or argument.
further provision of the order was dur
ing the remainder of the session 1t shall
be in order to close debate on motion
of the house, going into committee OF
the whole, which motion shall not be
subject to argument or debate.
When the reading of the rule was
concluded the Republicans broke out
into applause and laughter at the ex-
pense of the Democrats.
Mr.. Dalzell reiterated his statement
made yesterday that the purpose of the
rule was to expedite public business,
to "clear the house from the grasp OF
this idiotic filibuster inaugurated by
the gentleman from Mississippi"
Republicans Applaud
The Republicans applauded this state
ment. but the Democrats greeted 1t
with boots, jeers and laughter. Mr..
DafzelI said that the rule would enable
the majority to enact and make into
law the great supply bills upon which
the existence of the country depended.
Mr.. Dalzell then explained the pro-
cedure and in referring to the Demo-
cratic filibuster said:
Now the gentleman from MISSISSIPPI
saws he has not INDUCED in fllibuster
Does he believe he can fool the people /
of this country by any such statement
as that? Does he believe the people
can be persuaded that any principle Is
involved in a demand for the yeas ana
nays on the adoption of the journal ana
then vote for its adoption?
Pausing for a moment, he inquired
amid Republican applause: can any
man conceive a more asinine perform
ance hansthat?'
Continuing Mr.. Dalzell said: Does
the gentleman believe he can 1901 ihe
neopIe of this country into believing
tbat there is any principle involved in
demanding the yeas and nays on mo-
tion to consider and pass the great sup
pIv bills on which the existence OF tne
countrv dependS?"