The Washington times., 1909-03-17
MINORITY MEMBERS
TURN DOWN PLACES
Two Democrats Refuse to
Accept Jobs From
Uncle Joe. "
BARTLETT LEADS;
JAMES FOLLOWS
Georgia Member Declines to Serve
on Mileage Committee-Sus-
tain Champ Clark.

An echo Of the row in the Democratic
party over Speaker Cannon's refusal 10
recognize Champ Clark. the minority
leader. in the appointment of members
OF the minority to the various commit
tees, was heard In the House today when
two Democrats refused TO accept ap-
pointments from the Speaker.
Speaker Cannon, Immediately after the
tariff bill had been raferred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, an
nounced Representative Kennedy Of
Iowa, Lundin OF Illinois, Garner of
pennsylvania, Lewis. of Georgia, and
Denver OF Ohio es a Committee on Mile
age.
Mr. Bartlett Of Georgia called the at
tention of the Speaker to the fact that
M. Lewis was no longer a member OF
OF the House. Speaker Cannon, with a
gracious wave OF his gavel and an ex-
trsvagant bowing of his head. an
nc unced :h2t it gave him pleasure to
appoint Mr.. Bartlett to the place which
ne had selected for Nh. Lewis.
Declines to Serve.
decline 10 serve shouted Mr.. Bart
lett I'm an excited manner.
Then the Chair viii announce the ap-
pointment of Mr.. James, OF Kentucky
said the Speaker
Ollie NJ James. the big man from
Kentucky, loOmed up and shouted that
he. too, would decline TO accept an ap-
pointment at the hands of the Speaker.
ut remains for the House" said the
Speaker, Ito determine whether the
gentleman from Kentucky shall be ex-
cused from serving on the committee.
The Speaker then called for a viva
Voce vote, and most of the Democrats
voted in the affirmative, indicating
their intention to stand by Mr.. James
~
roar of noes" from tie Republican
side, but Speaker Cannon smiiingly an
nounced that in his opinion the ayes
had II. and he thereupon announced
sissippi as a member Of the committee
Collier Accepts Place.
Mr. Collier made no attempt 10 refuse
the appointment at the hands of the
Speaker.
Referring to his decllnatiOn to serve
on the Mileage Committee, Mr.. Bart
lett declared after the House had ad-
5ourned that his action was merely in
accord with the policy laid down by the
Democratic caucus and that he proposes
to follow out that policy to the letter.
no matter how attractive committee
appointments at the hands OF the Speak
er appear to be. Mr. James expressed
a similar sentiment, and declared that
ne VIII accept nothing from me SPEAK
er unless it has the unqualified indorse-
ment OF Champ Clark.
On Rules Committee
Speaker Cannon has announced the
appointment OF Champ Clark and john
]. Fitzgerald OF New York as the new
minority members Of the Committee on
Rules The appointment OF Mr. Clark
Is merely in accord with the policy of
giving a place on the Rules Committee
to the leader of the minority. Fitzger-
aid, however. displacss on that conf
Inittee Representative De Almond, Of
Missouri. one Of the veterans of the
House. and who was formerly one OF
It's most prominent members
Judge Walter /. Smith, of Iowa was
given the place on the Republican side
o. the committee to fill the vacancy
caused By the retirement Of Vice Presi-
dent Sherman.
Only Three Vacancies.
There were only three vacancies on
the Ways and Means Committee, one
on the Republican side and two on the
Democratic side Representative Cush-
man Of Washington, was selected to nj
the place caused by the retirement Of
+ primer Representative Bonynge Of Col
Orado.
Bourke Cockran-s seat was filed by
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