The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-27

Washington. March 20.--For the
orst time since their Democratic
orsthsrn In the house began to criti-
oise them for voting In opposition
60 Ainority Leader Clark during the
consideration OF the Fitzgerald
amendments to the rules oathe House
last Monday. the six Georgia men,
osrs tonight made an explanation of
eheir course. They are: Livingston.
Howard Brantley. Edwards. Lee and
0rIggA
Th-ss Gcorgians say they differ
from some Of tho other Democrats on
=. question Of policy. not OF principle.
I'VE believe II more In keeping with
Democracy and the plank OF the Dem
YER platform declaring for revision
Of the rules" they say. ito present
Democratic proposal for each revi-
sioa rather than create a committee
cosnposed Of nine Republicans and
stx Democrats to carry out the Demo-
cratic platform"
They say they believe that now
the time to revise the ruies-not
nine months hence, when the Repub-
'1icasn insurgents and regulars will
doubtless have patched up their dif-
ferencea Their votes were cast, they
point out. for amendments prepared
BY q Democrat and prepared in strict
eeeordancs with the Democratic plat
form.
N We do not understand how Il
<olild be Democratic on the one
hand" II n stated. "ror Democrats
20 vote for resolution dictated by
Republicans. creating q Republican
ccnmittee to revise the rules and
on the other hand tho undcmocratic
20 vote for specific amendments pre-
pared and proposed by Democrat.
sisaply because thess amendments
met with support from some Republi-
cans. IL v IL Democratic for some
Dtmocrats to afiliate and vote with
Done Republicans. 1t can't be
Uf-democratic to permit the remain
1ng Republicans TO follow the lead OF
sths rsmatuing Democrats. We not
only vote for amendments In
strict accord with the Denver plat
2 form. but we violated no caucus
pledge IN doing So"
ForStwclve years. II is claimed. no
Dossocratio caucus has been binding.
The statement IL made that Represen-
tative Howard during the caucus OF
Democrats on Monday Just before the
House met. obtained permission of
the Minority Leader Clark to present
and vote for amendments other than
chose Mr.. Clark was to propose.
While II Is stated that the Georgi-
nss are not criticIsing any one. It is
otged that they were not invited into
azy Of the csucuses or conferences that
lei up to the reported agreement be-
tween "a few Democrats and q few
1nsurgcnt Republicans" 1t is pointed
os't that the Democrats OF the slst
c''nsre<s were unorganising up to
within two hours Of tho time the
House convened.
I'VE regard u a. unfortunate" ("
Trey say. that caucus on so Inn
p<rtsnt q matter as accepting the
leadership OF Republicans or any
thing. could not have been called
esriy enough TO have allowed full
ard fee discussion. II was perhaps
Inevitable that caucus called for a
time Just two hours before the House
was co meet. had to be conducted un-
DIR arbitrary rules that denied dis
evasion and information. 1t Is prob
able II the caucuses had been held
~ On earlier period that complete
understanding between all Democrats
csuld have been reached. We see no
reason now. however. for Democrats
20 fan out with one another because
every one acted according to his best
Judgment for what he believed was
tho best interest OF the party and the
country"
at Criticism From Bryan.