The Washington herald., 1908-01-25
NOISE IN The HOUSE
Members Grow Enthusiastic
Over Political Topics.
APPROPRIATION BILL
Rush 20 Defense of Will
lam Jennings Bryan-RePublicans
Loudly Applaud Reading Of Party
Programme ShaeIsIefOrd Attacks
Power of the Speaker.

Power of the Speaker.
Proceedings on the floor of the House
yesterday wound up in a political free
for-al. when free silver, BTyanism. and
standpatism were substituted for the
urgent deficiency bill as a topic for de-
bate.
Further the charge was made by ollie
James, of Kentucky. that the administra-
ton Is using favors in Ohio to further
the candidacy OF Secretary Taft, and the
Republicans were advised TO permit the
Democrats TO pick their own nominee
without outside interference.
incidentally. the Republican platform OF
1886 was read by Representative Ansberry,
Of Ohio, who had a point to make, but
every clause Of that lofty and sentimental
document received such applause from the
majority side that the argument was
never brought 20 a successful close.
Members Of the House took gleeful
pleasure in making all the noise they
could. and the chamber sounded like the
aftermath Of a nominating speech in a
Congressional convention.
Started by Hitchcock
The whole thing was precipitated by the
statement of Mr. Hitchcock, representing
BTyan's district, that the NebraskGn is
the most available candidate.
He said his remarks were brought forth
by the recent statement Of Gen. Gros-
yeuor who, by the way, was on the floor
Of the House for a while again yesterday
afternoon. that Organism had been the
bane Of the Democratic party in recent
years"
Mr. Hitchcock quoted figures TO show
that no Democrat had ever received so
many votes in many States as had Bryan
whom he described as "the strength of
the Democratic party and It's hope for the
future ApplsuseD
Mr.. Keifer Rep. Ohio alluded 10 the
recently reported statement by Judge
Parker that Bryan had not Loyalty sup
ported him in 1904. else the result might
have been different. which led 70 "A polit-
Zeal 'rough-house" for about fifteen min
utes. in which questions and cross-ques-
tions were fired across the aisle as to
votes. the availability Of candidates and
vogaries Of party platforms
No Law Found.
When the House went into Committee
Of the Whole 10 consider the appropria-
tion bill Mr. Lituefeld Rep, Me-. re-
ferring TO the statement made Yesterday
by AIr. Tawney (Rep. Mimi. said ne
had been able to find no law authorizing
the Secretary Of the Treasury 70 exercise
any discretion in eXpcnding the money
appropriated On account Of the sinking
fund. Such discretion. however, he found.
in the course Of an investigation OF the
subject, had been exercised for a long
period of years, the Secretaries sometimes
spending less and sometimes more than
the amount appropriated. Had the sums
applied been carried 20 the credit OF the
sinking fund. the present surplus Of S2H
oO0o00 would be only &74o0o.Oo5. emphasiz-
ing the necessity pointed out by Mr.
Tawney yesterday IF reduction Of ap-
propriations all along the line
Mr Clark Dem. Fla) made long
speech advocating q return 10 the several
States Of the cotton tax collected during
and subsequent 10 the civil war.
Due to the south.
This act, Mr.. Clark said. he urged not
as an act of charity to the South, bat Of
naked, even-handed, exact justice The
imposition OF the tax had been denounced
by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional
and Illegal, and it was for that reason
that he had asked and would continue to
ask Congress to refund the money col
lected to its rightfuI owners or to the
States. Eight millions Of the money
would go TO the Northern States and sixty
millions 20 the Southern.
Mr.. Gronua Rep, y. Dak) followed
with an hours speech on the financial
question.
He favored the government endorser's
guarantee Of deposits. falling which he
would require national banks to keep at
least SO per cent Of their reserves at home.
Concluding, Mr.. Grouna said that often
times when it rained alike upon the Just
and the unjust, the unjust were found in
possession Of the umbrella Of the just.
Goes After Cannon.
Mr.. Shackleford Dem. MOI rose. as ne
said, once again 10 protest against the
autocratic authority usurped by the
Speaker over the proceedings Of the
House. The burden of his complaint was
that the Speaker had Oyerthrown the
free government OF the people. and en-
acted upon its ruins an autocracy more
than that existing iu any coun-
Try upon the globe
1T has come to such a state of things"
he said, that before you can pass a
oill in the House, you must go and bend
'our noble bodies forward at the proper
angle, fold your hands and say, o Lord, |
Uncle Joe. not my will, but thine be done. |
)Ut If thou canst, let US have consldera- |
ion of this bill Gaughter.)
Mr.. Shackclford detailed measures. held
lp by the power Of the Speaker. which /
lie said large majority of the member |
nip wanted an opportunity 70 consider, /
measures opposed only by the special in |
eTests, and trusts, whose last citadel, he 4
asserted, was the marble desk behind I
which sat the Speaker He pleaded for a |
Of the tariff on white paper.
Would Aid Deaf Persons.