Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-08
GAG RULE IN HOUSE
Republican Majority Checks
Minority Fi|ibuster.
AROUSES LEADER WILLIAMS
Gets Back at Mr.. Dalzell for I'm
sulting Speech"
ADJECTIVES AND POETRY
Pennsylvania Rebukes Adversary
With Biblical Quotations and
Defends His Position-Vote
Follows the Fun.
AROUSES LEADER WILLIAMS
ADJECTIvES AND POETRY

The spectacle of a republican majority
chloroforming by legislative process and
for a period of three days a kicking.
sauirming bowling democratic minority
was furnished in the House of Represen-
tativeS today.
1t had been the plan of the republican
leaders of the House TO adjourn over
from tomorrow until Monday. owing to
the fact that Pennsylvania and one or
two other states have primary elections
the last part of this week. But il was
decided that this would be an unwar-
ranted waste of time just now, in view
of all the distressing conditions. so a
gag rule was decided upon 10 put the
democratic filibuster in a state of coma
from tomorrow until Monday.
The gag rule in question is a daisy. 1t
was brought into the House this morning
by Representative Dalzer of Pennsyl-
vania one of the big five, and when the
democrats heard 1t read they bit their
perfectly scandulous.
No Chance for Minority.
Under this rule a roll call will be as
rare between tomorrow and Monday as
a snowstOrm in August. 1t throws the
House automatically into committee OF
the whole and keeps it there on the same
legislative day. recess being declared. also
automatically at ) o'clock each evening
until the following morning. 1t doesn't
give the minority a chance. They can't
even make a respectfully loud noise.
When the previous question had been
ordered on roll call and the time came for
debate on the gag rule itself there We're
fireworks. John Sharp Williams, the mi
nority leader. had a few things to say,
and those few things were not particular
ly complimentary to Representative Dali
zell. 1t will be remembered that several
dayo ago. commenting upon the rliDusier.
Mr.. Dalzell. in fit of temper. character
lied the efforts of the democrats under
Mr.. Williams lead "idiotic. asin:ne
and disgraceful in grown men," Today
Mr.. Williams got back IN good shape.
There were other. fireworks. Mr. Dali
zell replying to Mr.. Williams and Repre-
sentative Fitzgerald of New York STIR
ring up Speaker Cannon TO such an ex-
tent that Uncle Joe nearly broke the
sounding board of his desk. lost his gavel
and tore up the earth generally.
Drops Into Verse.
Mr.. Williams took something of a fan
out of his old arch enemy. Mr.. Dalzell.
Commenting upon the speech of Repre-
sentative Sherman of New York. who pre-
ceded him. Mr.. Williams said:
My friend from New York says that
the republican party is ready to enact
remedial legislation: that il is ready to
assume responsibility. Mr.. Speaker, a
little poem. entitled Ready to Enact after
Thomas Bailey Aldrich. might perhaps
interest the House and the country, too
although that last phrase outrages the
feelings of the gentleman from New York
Mr. Payne. 1t reads as follows:
- i wonder what day of the week
/ wonder what month of the year.
Will IL be winter summer.
And who of US then will he here.
e What glorious fancy to dream:
How full of delight and of lure
How soft is the congresSmans S speech.
And Vet entrancinGly sure.
- The thought gives thrilling Of joy.
Inspiring the doubter with fear:
But wonder what day of the week.
I wonder what month of the year