The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-14
Result of Republican Caucus
 Bodes III for Speaker
DEFENDING ON DEMOCRATS
House Insurgents Believe That the Ob- noxious Rules Will Be Killed If Democrats Stick to Plan
 to Down Cannon.

Washington. March s.-(Special )-The republican caucus tonight showed the weakness of the Cannon machine in the House and the strength of the insurgents. Its result indicates victory for the rules insurgents Monday if the democrats stand with them as a unit There is no doubt of this tonight.
 On the face of the caucus vote Speaker Cannon is not certain of reelection as speaker He received but 162 votes of the 1S6 republicans present. The other "A votes were scattered. It takes 195 votes in the House to elect a speaker. In fact some of those who voted against him tonight and some of the IS insurgents who did not attend the caucus will vote for him Monday.
 The caucus adopted the rules of the Sixtieth Congress for the conduct of bus- ness in the Sixty-first Congress. There was not a dissenting vote. While the mo- tion was still pending Crumpacker and Barnard of Indiana and Haughten of Illi- nois walked out of the caucus. Crum- packer and Barnard are recruits to the ranks of the insurgents. Haughen is a strict rules insurgent.
 The small attendance of insurgents was a surprise. It was thought that many would go into the caucus to vote for Cannon and then leave when action on the rules was attempted. At meetings held this afternoon the majority of in-
 a1,- f themsels sesr from the caucus The oppor- tunity to vote for Cannon will be offered those desiring 1t on Monday The entire Wisconsin delegation voted to stay out of the caucus.
 The Only Weakness.
 The only weakness in the insurgents position is the possibility of a split in the ranks of the democrats. It is reported to- night that several delegations have de- cded to extend no aid to the insurgents except upon impossible conditions. They will be faced by their party caucus Mon day and will feel the party lash in the hands of Champ Clark
 No enthusiasm marked the caucus to- night The attendance of 187 out of a total of 2l3 republican members of the House was a disappointment to the leaders. Not more than three or four members were out of the city. Assuming that all the absentees are regular the insurgents will still have 27 votes. But the insurgents claim that the vote at the caucus was their vote and must be counted for them.
 The vote on speaker was Cannon 162, Tawney [, Smith of Iowa 10, Keller of Ohio 5, Crumpacker l, Maguire l, Towns end l.
 No attempt was made to have the speakers nomination made unanimous as his friends feared it could not be done.
 Harmony Is Urged.
 MT. Cannon was notified by Taylor, Washburn and Howell of Utah. and made a short speech urging harmony In party ranks
 The adoption of the Cannon rules ere ated no enthusiasm. It came as wet blanket in the absence of so many repub- lioans whose votes are needed to organize the House. Dalzell made the motion. It was put by Currer of New Hampshire, the new chairman of the caucus who sue ceeds Col William P. Hepburn, and de- clared carried by an almost fnaudible vote
 Representative Dwight of New York was elected party whip to succeed James E. Watson of Indiana, who retires from the House.
 The elective offices Of the House were rerominated as follows: Alexander Mc- Dowell of Pennsylvan,a, clerk; Casson of Wisconsin, sergeant t-arms; Lyon of New York doorkeeper; I.angum of Mime sota postma ster; the Rev Henry N. Cou- den, chaplain
 The result of the caucus was teiephoned to the White House, and communicated to the President who was at work on his message. No comment was made by the President.
 Humiliation In Store.
 No secret. by the way, is made of the intention of the Cannon organization to subject the insurgents to humiliation.
 The Cannon men asserted that by Mon day the insurgents would be eating from the speakers hands. The insurgents, however. declared that their ranks were unbroken. and that they were banded to- gether to sink or swim. Their steering committee had been in almost continuous conference with Champ Clark. the demo- cratic leader in the House. and reports were given out that ironclad compromise agreements had been reached.
 The democratic members are lining mp behind Mir Clark for coalition with in surgents in the assault on the Cannon rules. which are 10 be made in the House Monday. Fears of a split in the demo- cratic ranks. who opposed MT. Clark yes terday are being dissipated by telegrams from absent members.
 Test of Leadership.
 This is the first test of Clark's leader ship He has served notice that who ever disappoints him will be marked 80 long as he is minority leader.
 AS a result of this stand some demo- cratic members who hold good commit tee assignments have been promised good berths and were indifferent to the results of the insurgents fight, have promised to be i-rthe House when the gavel falls atraoon on Monday and vote with their leader.
 Ollie M. James of Kentucky, said to- day he thought there would not be A single absentee except Representative Legare, who Is i'll, and that every dem-
 
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