Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-16
DEMOCRATS COME
TO CANNON'S AID
CONTINUED from FIRST Page.)

of Wisconsin would have nothing to do
with the ~speakership fight unless they
were assured beyond peradventure of doubt
that Cannon could be defeated. This con-
dition never eventuated and so these gen.
tlemen voted for Cannon, believing that,
after all. the country was much more In
tent upon a change Of the rules than upon
the personality OF the speaker.
In his opposition to Mr.. Fitzgerald's sub
stitute for Champ Clark's resolution. Mr..
Norris mad one OF the strongest speeches
heard on the floor today. Notwithstand-
ing that he had but three minutes. he used
his time 10 such advantage that he re-
ceived tumultuous applause. not only from
his colleagues, but from a crowded gal
lery. Among other things he said: There
will never be a change in the rules that
will be satisfactory TO the membership Of
this house and country that fails to take
away from the speaker the right to serve
on the committee on rules and the right
to appoint the standing committees of the
Rap at Outside Interference.
at is unfortunate that members of the
house have not been allowed to settle this
question without outside interference. Mem
bers have been importuned by senators to
vote against any change in the rules. They
have been plead with to the same effect
by members of the cabinet and. I am sorry
to say, that I have been Informed that
the president has even lent his assistance
to the house machine. Nebraska was the
first state in the union to declare for the
candidacy of the present chief executive,
and 1 was a member of this convention.
Then ] believed him TO be one OF the very
great men OF the republican party aud l
have no reason to change my estimate of
this splendid American. but I had hoped
that we might fight out here on the floor
without outside interference these ques-
tons which are so vitality a part Of the
good and orderly conduct OF this house.
THE newspapers have heralded for sew
eral days what punishment the "insur-
gents" would receive II they were de-
feated in this cause. 1t is said we will
he deprived of committee appointments and
that the executive will refuse to give us
patronage heretofore extended to mem
bers Of the house. II we are to be punished
for standing up for principle. then let the
lash be unfuTled. We are advocating what
/ believe to be right and we refuse to trade
principle for political pie or even for polit-
teal life. 1 prefer to go to my political
grave with a clear conscience rather thar
ride in a chariot OF victory a congressional
~stoolpigeon, vassal or slave OF any man
whether he be owne OF or manager OF the
legislative menagorie or the ruler OF q
great nation"
Iowa Vote Is split.
Iowa, unlike its neighbor, Nebraska, die
not present a united front for or against tn,
rules. but split up in a most unheard-oi
manner. While all the Iowa delegation
with the single exception Of Hubbard, voted
Tor Cannon, six of the Iowa members were
found in the 'insurgent' camp for a re
vision OF the rules. Hubbard and Haugen
Two OF the old members. and four new
members, Good. Pickett. Kendall anS
Woods. Joined their older brethren in thI
fight for principles.
Judge Smith of Iowa, who was an aetiv,
force and able lieutenant for Speaker Can
non, said tonight that he believed the storm
would soon blow over and tina. the hous,
would get down to business quickly.
Under the terms OF the resolutions. which