The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-05
LIVELY SCENES IN CONGRESS Rules Committee Tight ens the Screws. REPUBLICANS ARE WORRIED Obstructive Tactics. of Democrats Kept Up in House. The Rules Adopted by the Republicans Contain Some Drastic Provisions. Applause and Jeers Are
 Evenly Divided.
 
REPUBLICANS ARE WORRIED

washington, April 4.-The Commit tee on Rules of the House today frightened the screws" on the Demo- crhts with the view to reducing to minimum. the opportunity for obstruc- tive tactics.
 After Mir. Williams, the minority leader, had forced a roll call on the adoption of the journal, MT. Dalzell. of Pennsylvania. presented rule whereby House bills. with the Senate amendments shall be sent to confer ence or the amendments agreed to, without any intervening motion of any kind being allowed. This rule will permit but one roll call on each of the two propositions. The rule also con- tained a drastic provisions that for the remainder of the session mo- tion to take a recess shall be privi- legged and have precedence over mo- tion to adjourn, the question to be de- cfded without debate on amendment.
 further provision order was that during the remainder of the session. it shall be fin order to close debate by motion in the House before going into committee of the whole, which motion shall not be subject to amend ment or debate. When the reading of the rule was concluded. the Republi- cans broke out into applause and de- . risive laughter, at the expense of the Democrats.
 "I, think it would be a good thing" shouted MT. Sulzer. of New York, "to add that the Democrats can have noth- ing Ito say"
 They never have had any" voice was heard. stwili the minority have the usual twenty minutes to discuss this ruler" Mir. Williams inquired.
 They will not" curtly replied Mir. Daizeli.
 IT just wanted the House and the country to know that fact" Mfr. Will liam remarked. We know 1t. We kGow it,'s some one on the Republican side remarked.
 Jeers and Applause.
 Mir. Dalzeil then reiterated his state ment made yesterday that the purpose of the rule was to expedite public business, sto release the House from the grasp of this idotic filibustcr in- hugurated by the gentleman from Mis- Bfasippt." The Republicans applauded this statement but the Democrats greeted 1t with hoots, jeers and de- risiye laughter.
 MT. DaIxeil said the rule would en- able the majority "to enact and make into law the great supply bills upon which the existence of the country depends" More Republican applause and Democratic hoots ensued.
 Let me explain this resolution Mir. Dal1eil began but he was interrupted by Mir. suizsr with the statement that 'it needs explanation"
 T believe" retorted MT. Dalzell hot Iy, T could make an explanation that would reach the understanding of the gentleman. from New York"
 You could not" shouted Mir. Sulzer mot on anything like this
 Mir. Dalzen then explained the pro- ceedure under ordinary circumstances and referring to the Democratic fili- buster said:
 Now the gentleman from Missis- sippi says he has not indulged in a fil- ibuster. Does he believe he can fool the people of this country by any such statement as that? Does he believe that the people can be persuaded that any principle is involved in a demand for the yeas and nays on the adoption of the journal and then vote for its adoption?"
 Pausing for a moment. he inquired amid Republican applause. Can any man conceive more asinine perform ance than that?'
 Continuing. Mir. Dalzell said: "Does the gentleman believe he can fool the people of this country into believing that there is any principle involved in q call for the yeas and nays on a mo- tion to adjourn at half past 9 o'clock at night?"
 Mir. Payne. he said. had been com plained of because he had spoken of this performance as "puerile." Nay" he said. 1t is childish. imbecile. dis grace to grown men of full stature"
 DaIseII Pokes Fun.
 Referring to a story related by Mir. Williams yesterday in which he spoke of his ''mammy' telling little Johnny" not to be afraid of Chinese dinner gong. Mfr. Dalzell contemptuously ex- claimed:
 Now think of that same little John- ny rising to a motion to adjourn"
 Little Johnny" he said, Ifs unwil- ling to take his dolls and dishes and go home without the exhibition of this laet piece of statesmanship in calling for the yeas and nays on a motion to adjourn"
 He then peremptorily moved the pre- vious question on the resolution
 "Will the gentleman yield two min utes7" Mfr. sulzer asked.
 T would not yield you two seconds" replied MT. Da1zell. thoroughly arous- ed at which remark the Republicans laughed heartily. Speaker Cannon put the question and declared the motion carried and immediately got into lively controversy with Mir. Williams Mir. Williams protested that he had requested a division on the vote but the Speaker held he was too late Af- ter an exchange of opinions on the subject. Speaker Cannon resorted to the unusual course of having the steno- graphic copy read to justify him in his contention that Mir. Williams was too late with his motion.
 "Those notes tell a lie,' Mir. Faverot Ia. shouted, and several Democrats appealed to Mir. Williams to stand firm, but be brushed them all aside. and walking down the center aisle said respectfully:
 q admit, Mir. Speaker, that I am in fault and not the Speaker"
 You are not in fault" Mir. Faverot asserted. That statement is not true"
 Mir. Williams forced a roll call on the adoption of the rule and it was adopted, 13s to l19.
 Consideration of the District of Co., lumbia appropriation bill then was re- Eumsd but only after another roll call.
 The Democrats did not permit the fact khAt the appropriation bill had been