The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-04-07
MR. DALzELL ANGRY
DcnOunCeS Action Of Demo-
cratic Members
" "ks|N|NE AND |D|OTIC "
Sweeping ,sioture Rule Adopted
by the House

Very Little Power Left to the Min
ority-DalZell Asserts That Pur-
pose of Rule is to Expedite Busi-
ness-Heated Conversations Occur
Between Members During the Ses-
sion But the House Finally Settles
Down to Business.
Washington, April 4.-By adopting
a sweeping cloture rule in the House
of representatives today the republi-
cans left to the democrats only very
limited powers. No longer can fill
buster be conducted against sending
to conference bills with senate amend
ments; no longer can a motion to
close debate be amended or discussed
and no longer can a motion to adjourn
take precedence over a motion to take
a recess.
In presenting the rule Mr.. Dalzell
characterized the Democratic filibuster
of the last few days as "asinine, 1dl-
otic and disgrace to grown men Of
full stature.
The democrats were afforded no
opportunity to talk on the propos ton
and were ridden over rough shOd.
They tried to get even time after
wards by various ways seeking TO
amend the District of Columbia apprc-
priation bill and then forcing divisions
of the house, but the republicans, OBJ
serving 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 re-
mainder Of the session the House re-
hive
proceeded in an orderly manner.
One Of the few privileges left 10 the
democrats was to force roll call oQ
adjOurnnICnL and this they cid, but to
no avail as the motion car iel owe
whelmingly and accordingly The House
at 5: 36 D. IL. adjourned until Monday.
After tr. Williams, the minority
leader, had forced roll call On the
adoption of the journal Mr.. Dalzell,
presented the rule. When the read
ing of the rule was concluded Mr..
Williams asked:
will the minority have the usual
twenty minutes to discuss this rule?'
MIR. Williams inquired.
"They Will not curtly replied Mr..
Dalzell.
II just wanted the House and the
country to know that fact" Mr.. Will
liams remarked
Mr. Dalzell then reiterated his state
ment made yesterday that the purpose
of the rule was to expedite House bus
iness; ito release the House from the
grasp Of this idiotic filibuster inaugu-
rated by the gentleman from M1ssis-
sippi."
Mr.. Da1zell 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"
Mr.. Dalzell, referring to the demo-
cratic flibuster, said
Now the gentleman from Mississip-
pi says he has not indulged in fill
buster. 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 demand
for the yeas and nays on the adoption
of the journal and then vote for its
adoption? Can any man conceive
more asinine performance that that?'
Does the gentleman believe he can
fool the people Of this country into
believing that there is any principle
involved in demanding the yeas and
nays Oh luOllOH 10 cCuSlueE anu pass
the great supply bills on which the
existence of the country depends?'
He enquired if Mr.. Williams believed
he could persuade the people that
there is any principle involved in a
call for the yeas and nays on motion
to adjoura, at half past nine o'clock
at night?"
Mr.. Payne had been criticised" he
said, because he had spoken of this
performance as 'puerile'." "Puerile!
nay" he said, 'it is childish, imbecile,
a disgrace to grown men of full stat
ure''
Referring to the story related by
Mr. Williams yesterday in which he
spoke of his Nanny" telling her
little Johnny" not to be afraid of a
Chinese dinner gong, Mr.. Dalzell con-
temptuously exclaimed: Now think
of that same little Johnny rising to
q motion to adjourn"
Little Johnny" he said, sis unwill-
ing to take his dolls and dishes and
90 home without the exhibition Of this
last piece Of craftsmanship in calling
for the yeas and nays on a motion
to adjourn.
He then peremptorily moved the
previous question on the resolution.
will the gentleman yield two min
utes," Mr.. Sulzer asked.
'I would not yield you two seconds
replied Mr.. Dalzell