Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-03-24
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

Washington, D. c., uch Is
Joseph Cannon of Illinois was re-
elected speaker of the house of rep
resentatives, receiving 204 votes to 1876
cast for Champ Clark of Missouri,
the democratic leader. Wisconsin
figured in the lead in the opposition
at this stage of the fight of the in
surgents and demQ@sats to. secure a
change in the rules, Menry A. Cooper
Of Racine receiving eight votes, and
John J. Esch of La Crosse receiving
one vote. Colonel Henry Casson of
Wisconsin is continued as sergeant
alarms of the house.
After one of the stormiest sessions
in its history, the house, regardless Of
party alignment, adopted by vote OF
2l1 to 172 a resolution by Mr. Fitz-
gerald (demoerat) of New York,
whereby the rules were amended in
several important particulars. The
| resolution was substitute for the
one offered by Congressman Clark Of
| Missouri Its adoption was accom-
plished only after the insurgents,
with the aid of the democrats, with
one or two exceptions, had won de-
cided preliminary victory by voting
down the resolution by Mr.. Dalzell OF
| Pennsylvania making the unamended
rules of the 60th congress applicable
as those of the present congress. The
amendment makes three important
changes. First, it established a cal
endar for unanimous consents" the
effect OF which is to enable a mem
Der 10 have a proposition brought be
fore the house without having to go
20 the speaker for recognition. This
change, they say, will be relief to
the speaker. Second. when the con
sideration of bin is concluded and
the previous question ordered, the
rules heretofore have provided for a
motion to commit with or without in
structions. 1t has been the practice
to recognize a member of the major
ity party to make this motion and
thus prevent the minority from OFFER
ing such instructions as II may de
sire. The new rule gives the minority
preference in making such a mo
ton and thus enables them to get q
record vote on propositions which
would otherwise be settled in the
committee of the whole, where nc
record vote is possible. Third. II
protects the calendar Wednesday by
requiring a two-thirds ins.ead OF 8
majority vote to set aside. Fourth, II
is also claimed that the amendment
will have the effect of preventing ia
voritlsm by the action OF the commit
' tee on rules in special cases. a
prominent feature OF the Clark reso
luton was the amendment providing
for a committee of Is members ~ re
wise. amend and codify the rules ant
much OF the opposition to II was be
r cause OF this fact. AS adopted. tht
r Fitzgerald amendment makes nj
= change in the present method Of Sc
a lection Of the committee ON rules
II which is made by the speaker. nor il
there any changes in the method of Sc
lecting committees.
Al 1910 O'Clock. Isaac Stephenson
was escorted to the bar OF the senat
!, by his colleague, Mr. La toilette. an
look the oath OF Office which make
=. him a United states senator iron
Wisconsin for six years from Marc
attn Immediately following the praye
senator Ia Toilette arose in his plae
aud presented the credentials OF lsaa
Stephenson. whom the governor an
Q secretary of state OF Wisconsin d
n clared had been duly elected Tor u
}. h,ll term as United States Sena'o
{. The credentials were read and upo
/. its conclusion the president OF the SCI