Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-26
DEMOCRATS SCORE
BOLT|NG MEMBERS
BOLTING GEORGIANS WILL
ABIDE BY DECISION OF eau
Gus AND NOT DESERT PARTY.
BITTER DEBATE.
BY Ralph Smith

W y
many persons are incluined to the be-
lief that the Democracy of the house is
hopelessy divided as a result of last
nights caucus and the incidents connect
ed Herewith, this view is not accepted
generally by those most familiar with
the situation.
1t is regarded as likely that some of the
New York and Boston Democrats are out
for good. but is not believed that the
southern members who bolted, especially
the six Georgians can afford or intend
to desert the caucus. They will make
the best of the situation by taking the
medicine dealt out to them in the reso-
buttons and try in future to live up to
the rules adopted by the caucus.
Representative Livingston, dean of the
Georgia delegation, and himself one of
the boilers was not present at last
nights caucus, but he does not admit
or even intimate that he does not pro-
post to affiliate with his party in the fu-
ture. None of the six Georgians who boil
ted attended the caucus and Mr.. Livings-
toms views probably reflect the sentiment
of them all.
LivingstOn's Statement
The fact that l did not attend the
caucus does not mean that l will not
follow my party in future said Mr..
Livingston. "On the contrary, 1 APP
prove most heartily OF the rules that
were adopted and believe that they will
have a good effect. 1t is well enough
to remember in this connection, how
ever, that the very fact that rules were
adopted was an admission that the
caucus had no rules previous to last
night, wherefore we could not have
been boilers.
II remained away from the caucus
because 1 did not propose to be see
sawed and abused and criticised without
a fair chance to defend myself, and I
did not believe 1 would have received
this at the caucus, where feeling ran
high"
The New York and Boston boilers who
attended the caucus were defiant in their
attitude, and declared in so many words
that they would not be guided or con-
trolled solely by southern and western
Democrats The very fact that the
New Workers and Bostonians injected a
sectional issue into the question is re-
garded as one of the reasons why the
southern boilers, particularly the Geor-
gians, cannot afford TO follow them.
Much Bitterness Shown at Caucus
After hours of bitter wrangling,
the Democratic members of the
house of representatives in a eau
Gus which was in session until after
DN an ONeIWllelLlluS NOiCs 1O-
pudiated the Democratic supporters of the
Fitzgerald amendments to the rules which
were adopted at the opening of the special
session of congress over the opposition of
Minority Leader Clark.
The debate which preceded the adoption
of the declaration repudiating the action
OF the recalcitrants was one of the most
bitter heard in a Democratic caucus in
years A set of rules to govern future
caucuses also was adopted.
Hardwick Spares No One
Mr.. Fitzgerald, who was present. spoke
in defense of his action, and was answered
by Mr.. Hardwick, of Georgia, who spared
the feelings of no one. Representatives
Peters and Keliher, of Massachusetts,, de-
nounced the gag rule" manner in which
Minority Leader Clark had conducted the
fight for a change in the rules.
After adjournment Representative
Fitzgerald asserted that 1.-The introduc-
ton and proposal of the declaration by
the caucus, was manifestation of the
same idiotic leadership that has character
lied the Democratic party for fifteen
years, and that the Democratic members
of the house. In imagining that they are
the Democratic party, are like the three
tailors of Tooley street"
Champ Clark ought to have five
crutches to walk on" said Representative
henneT, OF MdSSdCnuStlts. TIC
stand on his own feet
Il stand for the manhood and liberty
of the northern democracy" said Repre-
sentative Francis Burton Harrison, of
New York. "and protest against the sub
version to the selfish ambition of hot
headed, hair Drained representatives, who
do not even represent their own constit-
uents"
Text of Declaration
The full texa of the committees state
ments follows.
The Democratic members of the house
of representatives of the 61st congress, in
caucus assembled. declare:
''First-We deplore the action of those
Democrats who supported the Fitzgerald
plan of saving Cannonism. This action
was i'm conflict with the caucus action or
this party, in violation of its platform
pledge and we believe, of overwhelming
Democratic sentiment. The Democratic
party i'm the house disavows their action
and disclaims all responsibility therefor.
"Second-Under the guise of giving to
the Democracy of the house representa-
ton on the rules committee and on the
ways and means committee. Speaker
Cannon appointed on the rules commit
tee as a Democratic member the pro-
ponent of the Fitzgerald resolution, who
is opposed to the Democracy of the house
i'm accord with the speaker; he appoint
ed on the ways and means COMMITTEES
as a Democratic member. a gentleman
known to be wholly opposed to the
Democratic tariff view, and who has
shown by his vote to be opposed to any
change in the Cannon rules.
I'VE condemn the false pretense of the
speaker that in these appointments he
has granted to the Democracy representa-
ton on the same committees, and we
hereby declare that in neither of these
appointments is the Democracy Of the
house or of the country, represented,
and we decline to recognize such APP
pointees as representatives of our party
on said committees.
This arbitrary and unjust conduct of
the speaker demonstrates anew the ur-
gent need for a thorough and real re-
vision of the rules and a better spirit
in their application so as to curb the
speaker. protect the members and free
legislation and legislative procedure from
bossism.
THE issue is too great to be confined
within party lines. OF nationwide inn
portance Il challenges ,Ie consideration
OF every American voter. whose neck is
free from the collar of a boss and whose
back knows not the machine drivers
lash"
The "bolters" present were Represen-