New-York tribune., 1909-03-17
BOLTERS NOT PUNISHED
HOUSE DEMOCRATS MEET.
Changes in Rules Only Strengthen
Speaker, Hinds Says.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau J


Washington March 16-After three hours OF
threats and fire eating the Democratic caucus 10
nsht adjourned without accomplishing much IN the
Uav OF chastizng those members OF the House VINO
voted for the Fitzgerald amendment yesterday. A
committee of fifteen authorized by resolution
70 draw I'D rules future caucuses. and to deter
mine how far such organization meetings will he
binding This committee will also determine what
punishment shall be visited the heads OF the
Democrats who bolted, but inasmuch as several OF
tho rolters were present and announced themselves
entirely satisfied with their course IT is thought
that the most drastic punishment they VIII nave
10 undergo is the oratory that they heard tonight
Representative Fitzgerald absent. as were
REPRESENTATIVES Howard Griggs Edwards and Lee,
Of Georgia: GOuden Conrcy and Fornes, OF New
York and Estopinal. OF Louisiana. The other bolt
ers present asserted themselves in so strong a
manner that although the caucus started win
many accusations of treachery ana betrayal IL emu
ed in a truce.
Representative Harrison, of New York. made the
first speech. He declared that he had no reason
TO regret his action. and that he had voted accord
ing TO his convictions Regarding his appointment
TO the Ways and Means Committee he said that' as
he had attended last nights caucus he was Wiling
TO leave his acceptance Of the appointment 10 feP
resentatiye Clark or to the caucus His speech was
Justify applauded and resolution was Immediately
presented providing that Mr.. Harrison ana MI
Rroussard who had also been appointed 10 the
committee, be allowed to accept the appointments
This was withdrawn at the instance OF Representa-
tive Clark. who ii is understood. is wiling lha'
Mr.. Harrison SHOULD go on the committee Dut Is
against Mr.. Broussards appointment lie VIII an
nounce his decision in regard TO both men IN the
morning. Nothing done in regard to Repre-
sentative Fitzgerald.
Now that the smoke OF the battle has partially
cleared away. it can be easily determined that'
although the insurgents prevented the adoption
Of the old House rules large share OF the Victory
lies with Speaker Cannon and his forces, who were
saved from annihilation by Representative Flzsei-
aid and other recalcitrant Democrats
The point of OF the organization is best
summed up in q statement made by Asher Hinds
the parliamentary expert of the House.
The amendment TO the rules which enables any
member of the minority 20 get record vote on
any proposition Mr.. Kinds said to-day is, IN
my Judgment bad for the membership OF the
House IT will operate to bring about the undoins
OF many member and will swell the army of lame
ducks Its effect viii have tendency to keep the
membership Of the House constantly changing, TO
intrench the Speaker in power and to shorten the
Congress lives of members. The changes in the
rules erect a hombproof arTnoT for the Speaker
From his standpoint nothing better could be de-
sired. The tendency Of the reorganzed rules VIII
be 10 make perpetual Speaker and ephemeral
membership.
The establishment of unanimous consent cal
endar" continued Mr.. Kinds, is the greatest boon
that could come TO the Speaker. Ii lifts a great
burden OF responsibility from his shoulders. II will
relieve him of nine-tenths Of the criticism which
has directed against him firmly believe
that Reed would have been President but for
the unpopulsrit which his duty of granting unani-
nous consents imposed. II earned for him enc
mics among all sorts of people. contractors mate
rial men. etc, who had claims against the govern
ment These men were everywhere, and their &C
cumulated animosties extending TO every district
made impossible for him 10 be nominated for
President
This is the view taken by most Of the organiza-
| tfon to-day. They admit that the insurgents"
and Democrats could have controlled the House,
| but they feel certain that the minority leader can