The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-03-23
CANNON REELECTED
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Champ Clark Chosen Leader by
the Democrats.
SIXTY-FIRsT CONGRESS MEETS
Csil1ed by Proclamation of President
Taft in Extraordinary Session
Important Business to Revise
Tariff, Says Cannon.

Washington, D. C.-The Czar-like
rule of Joseph G. Cannon, OF Illinois,
who as Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives has held power second
only to that of the President of the
United States for three consecutive
Congresses, was broken when the first
session of the Sixty-first Congress was
called to order in extraordinary ses-
sion in response to the proclamation
of President Taft.
BY vote of 1913 to 1S9 the in
surgents defeated the resolution max
ing the rules of the last House the
basis on which business was to be
conducted in the new. A reelection
was accorded to the Speaker, as was
expected, the vote being 204 for him
to 166 for Champ Clark, the minority
leader, and IL scattering, and at that
time it looked as if "Uncle Joe" would
win all along the line. But the cup
of triumph was suddenly torn from
him. The action came after sup
posed test of strength on the motion
for the previous question on the mo-
ton to adopt the rules. The previous
question was ordered by a vote or
1914 to 1888 This was accepted by the
regulars as assuring victory, but
when the roll call was taken on the
motion to adopt the rules this motion
was voted down.
The insurgent Republicans, with
the aid of Democrats, prevented the
adoption in their entirety of the
rules of the previous Congress and
secured their adoption in modified
form.
When the roll of the House was
called 3S2 members responded to
their names. Immediately after an
nouncement of quorum Mr.. Currier.
New Hampshire, nominated Mr.. Can
non, and Mr.. Clayton, Alabama, pre-
scented the name of Champ Clark.
After the tellers had reported the
result and Mr.. Cannon had been de.
clared elected, Messrs. Clark, Camp
bell, Kansas, and Bartlett, Georgia,
were appointed committee to escort
the Speaker into the chamber.
The Speaker bowed his acknowl-
edgment and addressed the House az
follows:
"The election to the high Office OF
Speaker, which l now have for the
fourth time by virtue of your conf.
dence and judgment, is compliment
the honor of which l do not under
estimate, and of which am not lack.
ing in personal appreciation.
"We have before us most i'm
portant and difficult session of Con-
gress. The adjustment of the ma.
tional revenues has been since the
foundation of the Government
fundamental question, yielding to
none other in Importance.
Even in the Civil War the ques-
tion of adequate revenue marched
side by side with the valor of our
armies and the patriotism of our PEG.
pie. And in time of peace, even dis
ordered finances are prolific source
of national ills, not so acute as those
of war, but yet fruitful of calamity
for the general interest and suffering
for the individual.
"These considerations should ami.
mate us to a high devotion to the
duty before us. We must subordinate
personal feelings to the general good,
trusting to the considerate Judgment
Of the people for approval of our
work when it shall have been com.
pIeted."
All the Republican caucus nom.
inees for the various offices of the
House were reelected. The usual
committees were appointed to notify
the Senate and the President that the
House was ready for business.
The Senate organized and appoint.
I'D a committee to notify the Presi
dent that it was ready for business.