The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-12-15
Gardeners Motion to Recall
Bill From Committee
Is Carried.
VOTE 146 TO 134
AGAINST RULES
May Mean Immediate Revision of
the Laws Under Which
Body Legislates.

First blood for the House insurgents
in their fight 10 overthrow the Commit
tee on Rules was drawn IN a spectacular
manner just after the House convened
today, when the Republican insurgents,
with the aid Of the Democrats, by =
vote Of I46 70 1S4. discharged the Com
mittee on Foreign Affaiis, which had
tabled one of Representative GardneTs
insurgent resolutions.
Il AS soon as the vote was taken the
\ fight on the floor OF the House between
the insurgents and the Howerf that be
was really on. The ARRAY vas sud
denly precipitated. when Repre- sentative
Gardner, Immediately on the cOnvening
OF Congress, arose O. s. question OF per
scnal privilege and demanded the dis
charge OF the committee, because ii
would not consider his resolution 70 as
certain through the secretary how the
British house OF commons had revised
its rules
AS soon as the insurgents had won
out by a majority Of twelve votes, Mr.
Gardner was quick 10 see the advan-
tage OF the opportunity. and offered an
amendment to his bill that a committee
of eight should now be appointed, i've
by the Speaker and three by the
minority, % revise the rules OF the
House OF Representatives
Denied Privilege.
l After Representative Gardner had OBJ
tained the discharge OF The Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs from considering
his resolution. he was denied by the
House the privilege o. making an
amen iment thereto. Representative
Gardner attempted 20 ADDRESS the
House upon his risht OF appeal from
the ruling OF the chajr, cIiS after hav-
ing been called down several times BY
the Speaker on points OF order, he
finally SURPRISED the entire House by
moving. % lay his owa resolution on
the table
This was done evidently with a view
20 showing how futile :. Is under the
present rule for any member OF the
house 10 be heard upon subject upon
which the Speaker and the Committee
Of Rules do rot wish him 70 sDeSk-
/ Having done this. Representative
Gardner and his insurgent allies re-
treated from the field. as IL were, con-
scious OF having won the preliminary
skirrnish in the battle which will con
tinued throughout the session.
Dalzen Objects.
4 Representative Oalzell, one of Speak
er Cannon's closest adherents, immedi-
ateIy objected tC the Gardner amend
ment as beng cut OF order.
Il Represer tativs Payne OF New York.
another on Of the old guard. voiced a
simila- objection. saying that, although
he had been privileged to bring his res
OlutiOn before the House, that he had
lost that privilege by the introduction
OF such an amendment Speaker Can
non seemed inclined 10 shut or the de-
bate, on the ground that Mr.. Gardner
was seeking TO do indirectly whas ne
could not accomplish directly.
He iuIOrTnel the RaDreSpurarivo F-nTsa
Massachusetts that he must address
himself solely upon the part OF order.
made by Representative DalzelI; that
such an amendment was not in order at
this time. Mr. Gardner then began 10
address himself 10 the amendment and
the dgat between the House insurgents
and Democrats on the one hand, and the
regulars, was fairly begun
i Opens the Way.
BY moving to discharge the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, which tabled his
resolution caIlirg upon the Secretary
OF stats 10 ascertain Tnat steps had
been taken by the British house Of com
mons 70 revise its rules. Representative
Gardner today opened the way for
showing the strength OF the House in
surgents. The resolution itself is Of
little consequence, but behind the simpIe
request OF Mr.. Gardner, one OF the chief
insurgents, lies the fight OF those who
are prepared 10 wage war on the Speak
er and the Committee on Rules Of the
American House OF Representatives.
u Mr. Speaker. I rise 10 a question of
J personal privilege said Mr.. Gardner
i move that the Committee on Foreign
Affairs be discharged from the consid-
Grafton OF II. R. No. AZ and
that this House cOnsi5er the bill in
stead
The bill. which provides that the Sec
rerary Of State shall obtain from the
British house Of commons and report
20 the House Of Representatives, the
methods being pursued by ths former
! body TO = wise it's rules, was read by
the clerk and Mr.. Gardner Immediately
demanded a vote
Chair in Doubt.
On the viva voce vote the chair was
in doubt and called for a standing vote
Seventy three members. principally
/ Democrats. stood up on the proposition
that the committee should be discharg-
ed, and that the House should consider
1.-THE Gardner resolution Seventy-nine
members, practically al Republicans.
voted tha- the Committee on Foreign
Affairs should not be discharged
I demand the yeas ami nays said
Afr. Gardner. still unda united
The roll call was then begun, and II
was noted that some OF the Republican
members, evidently not desiring to be
recorded this early In the game. sud
denly left the chamber.
The Importance OF the Gardner move
cannot be overestimated taking into
consideration the fact that a well-defin-
ed move is on to overthrow the present
rules OF the House and that the in
surgents hold a second meeting tonight
for the purpose OF considering the
means to accomplish this end.
Not Expected.
1t was not expected, however. that
show Of strength would come in this
manner or so early in the session.
The votes today indicates in a way
what may be expected by the insur-
gents, together with help from the
Democrats. when the final issue is
reached. Conspicuous among the in
surgents who boldly stood up on the
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