The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-03-18
RESENT ACTION
OF THE SPEAKER
Democrats of the House Stand
at the Back of Minor
\ ity Leader.
SITUATION IS STRAINED
SOME OF SPEAKER CANNON's Sc
LECTIONs DECLINE TO SERVE.

Washington, March 1.-THE prospects
today are for one of the most novel
complications over the personnel of the
committee on ways and means that
ever arose in the house.
Minority Leader Clark still withholds
his approval Of the appointment of
Representative Francis Burton Harri-
son and Representative Broussard of
Louisiana, as the new minority men,
bers of the committee, because Of the
displeasure among the house Democrats
over the action of these two men in
joining the bolt Monday on the rules
fight in the house. Mr.. Clark has not
announced publicly that he disapproved
of the appointments.
1t is believed that Representative
Broussard will accept the appointment,
as he did not attend the caucus which
declared that mo Democrat should ac-
cept a committee appointment without
the previous approval of the present
minority leader"
viii Take His Medicine.
Representative Harrison, who at
tended that caucus, announced that he
would abide by its action. If Mr.. Har-
rison refuses to serve on the committee,
it is believed that the speaker will lay
the matter before the house for action.
Such question, once put to the house.
might prove uncomfortable to the in
surgents" on both sides.
Further complications in committee
assignments are expected when Speaker
Cannon announces the committee on
printing, mileage and accounts. Rep
O'Connen of Massachusetts
probably will be reappointed on the ac-
counts committee. Although an acting
Democratic whip" Mr.. O'Connell voted
with the Republicans throughout the
contest over the adoption of the rules
Mr.. Clark probably will not
approve his reappointment as whip at
once. Mr.. O'ConnelTs seat in the house
is being contested.
It is not believed that any of these
will interfere with the
progress of the tariff bill.
Bartlett Declined.
The Democrats found early opportuni-
ty today to signify their resentment of
the failure of the speaker to recognize
Leader Clark in the selec-
ton of Democratic members of COM
mittees. When the speaker undertook
to fill the committee on mileage, he
designated E. B. Lewis, formerly mem
Der from the Third Georgia district, for
4 place on that committee. Mr.. Bart
EFT called attention to the fact that
Mr. Lewis was not a member of the
present house. The chair acknowledged
he mistake. and Immediately desig-
mated Mr.. Bartlett to the vacancy.
Il decline to serve" promptly re-
iponded Mr. Bartlett.
Then the chair appoints the gentle
nan from Kentucky, Mr.. James" said
Speaker Cannon.
And" said Mr.. James. "the gentle
nan from Kentucky declines to serve" |
Cannon Sustained.
Falling back on the rules, the speaker
nut the question to the house. The Dem |
'erats geneEally voted to excuse Mr..
lanes, but the opposition from the Re |
publican side was Overwhelming. The /
'ote was viva voce. and while It was /
against excusing Mr.. |
ames, the speaker announced the on |
'Osite result and named Mr.. Collier of |
AS he was not heard to |
'bJect, the appointment will stand. 1t /
vas afterward announced that Mr..
lark would approve the selection of |
DR.. Collier.
The full committee on mileage as
naily announced is: Kennedy of Iowa. /
sundin of Illinois, Garner of PennsvI- /
'ania, Collier of Mississippi and Den