Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-23
WILL APOLOGIZE
FOR PARTY BOILERS
DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE WILL
TELL AMERICAN PEOPLE OF
.1NsINCERITY TO DEMOCRATIC
PARTY"
By Ralph Smith


WASHINGTON, March 19.-The commit.
tee of fifteen Democrats, who were yes
terday named by Chairman Clayton, OF
the Democratic caucus, at meeting last
night and a subsequent gathering TINS
morning tentatively agreed upon the pro-
gram to be proposed to the general eau
Gus next Monday night.
Rigid rules to govern caucuses OF the
party have been decided upon, TO be ac-
companied or followed by scorching
statement with reference to the twenty
three Democrats who bolted their party
last Monday the rules fight.
The rules to be recommended will pro-
vide that when the Democratic caucus
indorses any legislative program or plan
by two-thirds vote, every Democrat in
the house shall be bound to support the
program.
Failure to observe the rule will mean
expulsion from the party caucus.
The only exceptions to this rule VIII be
questions involving a constitutional en-
actment and a matter to which member
has been committed prior to his election
to congress.
Handled Without Gloves
The boiling Democrats will be handled
without gloves. The report will analyze
in detail the Fitzgerald rules for which
the boilers voted. and will develop very
F
ed, but on the contrary the speaker has
been more firmly entrenched than ever In
his despotic power.
It will be shown that calendar Wednes-
day" is a fake of the first water, that the
two-thirds vote provision as a ''joker'
of high class and that the ''unanimous
consent calendar is the worst thing OF
its kind ever perpetrated upon the Ameri-
can people.
Referring more specifically TO the
boilers six OF whom were Georgians,.
the committee will apologize to the
American people for their insincerity
to the Democratic party, but disavov
: responsibility of their action.
Caucus Won't Punish
In conclusion the report will suggest
that no punishment be inflicted upon the
boilers by the party caucus, but that
this question be left solely with the
boilers constituencies.
Chairman Clayton has already issued
| a call for the general caucus next Mon
day night, and it is practically certain
| that the report of the committee OF
fifteen will be adopted just as 1t is SUBJ
mitted in spite of the efforts OF the
| boilers and their friends to have the
tenor OF the resolution concerning them
toned down.
The boilers are leaving no stone ur-
/
posture by their party and the wrath
the regular Democrats Of congress feel
over their attitude last Monday.
The six Georgians who Joined with
| Speaker Cannon's forces last Monday TO
perpetuate the Objectionable rules or
the house last night prepared state
ment Of their position, and have for
warded it to the press of Georgia for
publication Sunday morning. They de-
| ha NJ
defense, which it is stated represents
the Joint work OF Messrs Howard and
Brantley, but speaks for every bolter.
Statement To Constituents
I'VE make no attack upon any paper.
or upon any correspondent" declared
Representative Livingston today.
I'VE simply state our side Of the
case for the benefit OF the people OF
Georgia"
1t is regarded as practically certain that
the statement takes the position indicated
by Mr. Livingston, that the six Georgians
who bolted their party. were in reality not
boilers, but rockribbed Democrats. who
have accomplished something for the par
ty by their unusual position.
Mr. Livingston insisted yesterday that
the Republican machine, including the
speaker himself, who voted for the Fitz-
gerald amendment, Joined the twenty
three Democrats going over to them.
Put Shoe On Other Foot
This attitude puts the one hundred ard
forty-nine Democrats who supported the
caucus action in the light as boilers.
1t is further stated that the six Geor-
CLANS lay great stress upon Representa-
tive Towards question to Champ Clark
in the party caucus. Mr.. Howard asked
the minority leader whether 1t would be
regarded a breach of party faith If the
Democrats offered amendments to the
program which went even further than
the caucus action in amending the rules.
Mr.. Clark assured him that it would not
be so regarded, but that the party would
welcome the adoption of any amendment
which accomplished more than the pro-
gram adopted by the caucus.
The Georgians will, 1t is believed, try
to convince the people that the Fitzger
aid amendment is an improvement upon
/ the party program. when as a matter OF
| fact the amendment only perpetuates
Cannonism and more firmly entrenchss
the speaker in his autocratic power.