The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-03-24
ASSURES SUPPORT
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS EXPRESS
ES CONFIDENCE IN CLARK.
Adopts Resolution Practically Put
ting Minority's Committee Assign
ments Under His Control.

ments Under His Control.
Washington, March l5.-Only five
committees Of the House will be
named by Speaker Cannon for the
present. These will be ways and
means, rules, printing, mileage and
accounts. In making up the COM
mittees, it is stated on reliable au-
thority the speaker will consult with
"every member Of the House who
desires to discuss assignments with
him." This means that Minority
Leader Clark will not enjoy the priv
ilege accorded his predecessor, John
Sharp Williams, Of selecting the
minority members.
The attitude taken by the Demo-
Gratis at a caucus held this evening
after the House adjourned is in sharp
conflict with the e policy of
Speaker Cannon. A resolution was
adopted to prevent members of the
minority accepting committee as
signments without the approval of
| Minority Leader Clark. The resolu-
ton reads:
Resolved, That it Is the sense OF
the Democratic caucus that no Demo
crat should accept appointment on
any committee without the previous
approval of the Democratic leader
This was adopted by q vote Of 135
to l., one member voting present
Previous to the vote, however, 6
number of members had left the
caucus.
One hundred and sixty-six Dem
ocrats bound themselves to supper
Champ Clark of Missouri in his f1gh.
on the rules Of the House. Thi'
action was taken at the caucus hell
this morning, which elected MI
Clark as the Democratic nominee TO,
speaker. Mr.. Clark, acknowledging
his election as leader, said:
"Mr. Chairman and fellow Demo
Gratis: Last December the Democrat
ic caucus elected me minority leade
by unanimous vote. A moment ag'
you unanimously nominated me 70
speaker. For those %1attering evil
dences Of your confidence and esteem
I am deeply grateful.
"In the last days Of the Skillet
Congress we won some notable vic
Understanding victories whe
we remember that there was a Re
publican majority Of 81 in tina
house.
1--WE achieved those triumphs b
standing together and fighting tc
gether. We can in the present cor
gress win more victories more easil
because there is row a majority G
only ~ against us. We must site
together in order to do our dut.
The country expects US to stick tt
gether and fight together.
1--WE must remember that to
very large extent we have In GU
keeping the immediate future Of tn
Democratic party. Recent event
have demonstrated that the Republ
cans r disorganissd, disgruntle
and at lo~ggerheads generally. Lie
US close up our ranks, present
solid front and demonstrate to tn
world that we are worthy Of tn
high vocation wherein we are cal
ed"
The resolution adopted was tina
offered by Representative Underwoo
and in effect bound the members G
the caucus to support Mr.. Clark
his efforts to procure the adoptio
Of the plan agreed upon by tn
Democratic leaders and the insurs
ents' steering committee.
The only opposition to the resolu
ton vas that of the five Georgi
representatives who several days az
announced their plan to have tn
caucus agree to a resolution whic
would not bind the Democrats t
support the insurgents in their fgh
on the rules unless the latter agree
to vote against Mr.. Cannon for speak
err, to favor unlimited debate unde
the five-minute rule and to seek
complete revision Of the rules G
the House.
This amendment vas offered b
Mr.. Livingston Of Georgia, but wa
overwhelmingly defeated. Repre-
sentatives Edwards (Ga) then er
deavored to offer a resolution to bin
the members of the caucus to 1t
action, but he was not recognized b
the chairman. The caucus then ad
journed until tonight, when the reso
luton above quoted was adopted.