Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-16

Now that the smoke enshrouding the
chamber of the House of Representatives
during yesterdays several sanguinary en-
gagements has blown away, it is possible
to look over the battlefield, count the dead
and wounded and award the palms OF
victory. There is no doubt that the re-
publican insurgents and their democratic
allies won moral victory, but the control
of the House remains with the regular
organization. and Uncle Joe Cannon OF
Illinois, the iron duke, as he was repeat
eddy called yesterday. has d firm grip on
the spigot of the pap barrel. He'll be
mighty certain TO look hereafter to see
whose hand grips the offered empty cup.
and all of the thirsty won't have a chance
to drink.
Probably there never was a more
stormy session OF the House of Repre-
notwithstanding not with respect to
proposed changes in rules-nor one IN
which much party and personal bit
terness was displayed.
Several times the opposed battle lines
changed their front and their complexion.
Starting out with the regulars of the
machine plus seven democrats carrying
by narrow majority the DalZell motion
Of the previous question on rules. chang
ing to the defeat by the democrats plus
the republican insurgents of the motion to
adopt the rules, quick coalition between
the regulars and twenty-odd democrats
finally wound up In the adoption OF the
Fitzgerald substitute for the radical re-
vision proposition offered by the minority
leader Champ Clark.
Fitzgerald the Hon. in Bad"
Toby Mr.. Fitzgerald is the Honorable
In Bad with the majority Of his demo-
cratic colleagues who followed Champ
Clark and his insursent allies 10 defeat.
But the republican regulars call him
Moses and the cooks IN the kitchen of
the machine have mad their orders. He l.
have a chance 10 stun himself TO death.
When roll call was being taken on the
previous question on the Clark radical
revision resolution approved by the dem
ocratic caucus of yesterday morning the
tension vas at such fever heat that the
minority leader got into Il spirited col
loauy with Representative Dal2ell Of Penn
sylVana, who had mounted the rostrtm
10 read the resolution Of The minority
leader Mir. clark wanted him ordered
away from the desk. 10 which proceeding
Mr.. Dalzen objected, aEinS ne had Il
right 10 know what the nca sure con-
tanned This incident led 10 controversy
with the Speaker, winch lasted long
enough for Mr.. DalZell-to get the infor-
the platform and returned 10 his seat.
Colloquy With Clark.
Shortly afterward when Mr. Fnzserald's
resolution was up. Mr. Fitzgerald was
drawn INTO a colloquy with Mr.. Clark,
who desired him to yield for question.
Much bitterness was displayed by the two
men. Mr.. Fitzgerald first refused to
yield He later did SO, but Mr.. Clark de-
clined his proffer Of time, remarking that
the New York member would live 10 re-
greet his action. which called forth the re
tort from Mr.. Fitzgerald that he was not
10 be scared by any threats.
As analysed by parliamentarians tile
Fitzgerald amendment makes three itn-
portant changes:
First. 1t establishes a calendar for
unanimous consents" the effect of which
is To enable member to have PROPOSE
ton brought before the House without
having to go 10 the Speaker for lecogni-
ton. This change. they say, will be u
relief TO the Speaker.
Second When consideration " Il bill is
cone iuded and the previous question is or
dered The rules heretofore have prov .ded
for q motion 10 Commi; with or without
instructions. T. has been tie practice 10
recognize Il member of The majority party
to make this motion ana mus prevent the
minority from offering such instructions
a. II may desire. Tie lev rule gives the
minority the preference ia making SjcH a
motion and thus enables Them 10 get a
re ,ord vote on propos itionS wncn would
otherwise BE settled IN committee OF the
whole House where ~ record vote i
possible.
Third II protects the calendar Wednes-
DAY h requiring Il two-tnirds instead OF
a ma iority vote TO set il aside.
Fourth 1t j. also claimed that Tie
amendment VIII nave tie effect o. pre-
venting favoritlSm b> tim action II the
committee on rules N SrecIal oas-s.
Feature of Clark Resolution
\ prominent feature o. the Clark reso-
luton was an am -ndmsn; providing for a
committee OF fifteen members 10 rsvis6,
amend and codify the rules, and much
of the opposition 10 IL was becausa OF that
fact AS adopted. the Fitzgerald amend
ment makes no change in tn present
method of the selection OF the committee
on rules which is by the Speaker nor
is there any change in the method of Sc
| lecting committees.
Speaker Cannon is inci.nei 70 regard the
amendment as a slight Improvement on
the present rules in that. instead OF
throwing the responsibility for recogni-
ton on him. il sets aside certain DAYS for
the consideration OF measures under
unanimous consent: but. he says under
| the new rule. members will have to wait
/ for those days.
In a conversation soon after the action
of the House he commented RELY upon
| the fact that Mr.. Bryan has inter cred
| IN the interest of the changes submitted
| by Mr.. Clark and spoke OF the adoption