Evening star., 1909-03-15


peoples representatives. and no; by the
Sneaker And We pledge ourselves to
a dopt such rules and regulations to gov
ern the House OF Representatives as VIII
enable a majority of its member TO di-
rect it's deliberations ana control legiS-
iation.
Present Rules Denounced.
And. whereas. the present rules of the
House of Representatives placed the
power in the hands of the Speaker TO veto
legislation and prevent its consideration,
regardless OF the views of a majority OF
the me nlbers of that party. and whereas,
the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives in recent years has used the power
vested in him by the rules 10 prevent the
membe -sfip of the House from properly
yoiaiI,s and representing the real views
of Their constituency, therefore, be 1t re-
solved:
First: That we denounce the present
rules of the House of Representatives as
a machine intended to thwart and des roy
the representative character of the House
and 10 enable the Speaker of the House 70
absolutely control legislation, regardless
of the will of the majority.
Second Resolved. further. That we
pledge ourselves to support the Hon.
Champ Clark. leader of the democratic
members Of the House, in his efforts to
overthrow the present arbitrary rules oi
the House and to adopt rules that will
enable the majority of the representatives
in Congress to legislate. To accomplish
that end we favor the enlargement of the
number OF the members on the rules
committee 10 fifteen, to be eiected oS
the members Of the House. and We favor
a thorough and complete revision ol tne
rules of the House.
This was the principal business before
the caucus. and the result Of its adoption
was greeted with cheers and loud ap--
plause Many democrats congratulated
themselves and each other on the pros
meet of their party in the House putting
up a united front to the enemy for the
first time in years.
Clark Urges United Action
Mr.. Clarks selection was. as stated.
unanimous. He was put in nomination by
Representative Lloyd of Missouri. chair
man of the democratic congressional COM
mittee and democratic whip of the House.
In response Mr.. Clark said:
Mr. Chairman and Fellow-Democrats:
Last December the democratic caucus
elected me minority leader by unanimous
vote A moment ago you unanimously
nominated me for Speaker. For these
f1attering evidences Of your confidence
and esteem 1 am deeply grateful.
I'm the last days of the SiXtieth Con-
eress we won some notable victorles-as-
tonishing victories when we remember
that there was a republican majority OF
81 In that House.
I'VE achieved those triumphs by stand
ing together and fighting together. We
can in the pres Congress win more VIC
tories more ca -lly. because there Is now
a majority of only Al against us.
We must stick together in order to do
our duty. The country expects us to stick
together and fight together.
I'VE must remember that to very
large extent we have in our keeping the
immediate future of the democratic party.
Recent events have demonstrated that the
republicans are dsorganiZed. disgruntled
and at loggerheads generally. Let US
close up our ranks. present solid front
and demonstrate to the world that we are
worthy Of the high vocation wherein we
are called"
The caucus adjourned until o'clock to-
night.