The Washington herald., 1908-04-21
CANNON UPHELD By PARTY
House Republicans Vote Down ResO,
luton of Censure.
Actions in AdjOurning House on
Saturday Approyed-Three Repub-
IicaRs Vote with Minority.

John Sharp Williams his undivided
Democracy. and three Republicans YES
terday Went brayely down 20 defeat in
the House when the resolution eensur-
ing tho action Of Speaker Cannon in ad-
journiEg the House on Saturday was laid
upon the table by vote OF 1i9 10 l19.
Three Republicans voted with 8ir VIII
liams, and his indiyislble cohorts. in try
ing to have passed a resolution condemn
ing Mr.. Cannon's refusal 10 recognize
Mr.. Williams demand for a division on
the motion of Representative Payne 20
adjourn, On Saturday.
Mr.. Williams rose 10 q question OF
privilege shortly after the House con
vened yesterday, and after some parley-
ing, he obtained twenty minutes in which
10 discuss the question. Mr.. Cannon re-
piled briefly 10 the minority leader before
he put the question. Representative Dal-
cell occupying the chair during the vote.
Mr. Williams said he could make due
allowance for the effects OF what they
called in Mississippi "the degree OF pes
tering which he had inflicted upon the
Speaker Go bring about result, which
he believed would be brought about by
his line OF action. He could make allow
ance for the inhrmities of human nature
but the action of Saturday night, he re
marked. passed the bounds of constitu-
tional usages. and in his opinion was the
gravest matter that had occurred in the
House in many years.
Mr. Williams read a statement that he
had prepared setting forth his views on
the subject. prefacing it with the decla-
ration that the talk about the incident
affecting the personal friendship existing
between himself and the Speaker was all
nonsense. Expressing the opinion that
the Speaker was the most delightful Of
men. but his long-conhnued exercise of
power with many instances of minor
abuses had rendered him despotic and
intolerant Of opposition. It had been OBJ
served by members Of the press, as well
as members on the floor. that the Speaker
frequently made a jest Of the serious
duty of counting the House on a di-
vision
And I think the Speaker on this Oc-
casi0n.' Mr. Williams went on, thought
that the matter would be treated jovially
and as a jest Such conduct by the pre-
siding officer is but 10 destroy the very
essence of representative government by
denying to one-hfth Of the members pres
ent their constitutional right to have the
yeas and nays. l predict that in the
future the precedent will be more honored
IN its breach than its observance"
Speaker Cannon, begging the indulgence
Of the House, made statement In reply
20 that of Mr. Williams.
THE rules Of the House." he said, were
made to be observed under normal COndi-
tions. and exceptions to normal conditions
are stated in the rules themselves. 1t is
the recollection OF the chair that ever
since the present occupant has filed the
position. the Constitution has been faith
fully respected. One of the rules provides
that no dilatory motion shall be enter
tanned by the Speaker. Now, what was
the condition on Saturday EVENING""
The Speaker then recited the events of
the filibuster under the oft-expressed de-
termination Of the leader of the minority
to delay proceedings, a policy which he
had pursued up to within 4 few minutes
OF the time the motion to adjourn was
made.
.'The chair was aware of the constitu,
tional right of the gentlemen to demand
the yeas and nays, as was the gentleman
himself. But watching carefully, the
chair noted that he did not avail himself
of it, and after a seven-hour session, at
$50 o'clock, upon the overwhelming vote
in favor of the motion to adjourn, the
chair felt it TO be not only his right but
his duty to hold the demand for a di-
vision as dilatory and declare the House
adjourned"
Representatives BTumm. of Pennsylva-
MIA. and Cooper and Nelson. of Wisconsin,
voted with the Democrats against laying
the resolution on the table