The Detroit times., 1909-03-17
ASS|G N N ENTS IN
HOUSE KISSED BY
DEMOCRATS
CHAMP CLARK. MINORITY LEAD
ER, is IGNORED BY SPEAKER
cANNoN--MAY pEcllrS PLACE
ON RULES COMMIT &c.

WASHINGTON. March 1.-THE
regular Democrats OF the house OF rep
resentatiyes are angered because OF
tue assignments on the committee on
rules II consists of five members with
speaker Cannon as chairman. Dal-
cell. OF Pennsylvania VINO was a mem.
Der OF the old committee, and Smith,
OF Iowa. who has supported Cannon
In his hight against the combination OF
Democrats and INSURGENTS. are the
other Republican members appointed.
Smith takes the place of Vice Presi-
dent Sherman. who was formerly a
member Of the house from New York.
The Democratic representatives
Kissed the announcement yesterday
afternoon that Fitzgerald would be "A
member OF the committee on rules.
There were more Kisses when II was
announced that Francis Burton Harri'
son, OF New York. and Robert +.
Broussard, OF Louisiana, had been ap-
pointed as minority members OF the
ways and means committee.
Broussard was one OF three Demo
Gratis who stuck by the Republican
organization in the bitter contest
waged all through Mondays session
over the effort of ths Democratic reSu-
lars and the Republican insurgents
TO amend the rules. Harrison voted
with more than score OF other Demo
Gratis to sustain the resolution amend
ing the rules which Fitzgerald offered
and which were adopted by the com
bined votes OF these Democrats and all
OF the Republican regulars. The Kisses
and cat calls heard yesterday when
the names OF Fitzgerald. Harrison and
Broussard we're announced expressed
in small measure only the feeling
against them by a majority OF theii
Democratic associates.
Speaker Cannon did not follow the
custom OF letting the chosen leader
OF the minority select the Democrats
who should go on committees.
Clark May Not Accept
II is doubtful If Leader Clark viii
accept the place on the committee on
rules to which he has been appointed,
although IL would be strange thing
not to have the head man OF the
Democratic side in that position OF
consequence and advantage.
The Democratic representatives held
a caucus in the capitol last night to
determine what they should do in re-
gard TO the action OF the speaker in
appointing Democrats on committees
without getting the consent OF Leader
Clark The caucus lasted from until
10 o'clock.
Mr.. Harrison created great enthusi-
asm when he said that he stood ready
10 decline his appointment 10 the ways
and means committee. and would do
so unless MIR. Clark consented that be
should accept. There was tremendous
applause at this which could be heard
beyond The closed doors OF the house.
Mr. Broussard did not reach the
caucus until IL was about ready TO adj
journ. He made no speech. but he
said privately 10 some OF his friends
that he would abide by whatever
action was taken in the case of Mr..
Harrison Mr.. Fitzgerald lid not at
tend the caucus
Speaker CannOns lieutenants deny
that there is any deal or understand
ing with Fitzgerald by which he OBJ
tanned preference over other members
OF his party 1t is asserted by them
that his appointment was due TO his
general ability and his acknowledged
skill as a pariamentarian.
Even Champ Clark. angry as he was
with Fitzgerald yesterday. said in de-
bate that Fitzgerald was the .ablest
parliamentarian in the house.
Later in the day. after the ad-
journment of the house. Leader Clark
had something TO say about the action
of Speaker Cannon In appointing Dem
ocrats 10 committee without consult
ing Mr. Clark He dictated this state
ment.
Will Not Swerve Clark.
Originally the speaker had power
to appoint all members OF committees.
Under Reed and HENDERSON speakers
OF the houseD the recommendations OF
Mr. Bailey and Richardson Demo
cratic leaders, were considered. to
what EXTENT do not know. When
Mr.. Cannon was elected speaker and
Mr.. Williams minority leader. the
speaker conferred IN Williams the
power 10 appoint minority members,
as | understand il. with one or two
general reservations. | am not in
formed what they were.
Now the speaker assumes the
power OF appointing both majority and
minority members, as the papers have
stated, with the purpose OF furnishing
me because had the courage and
nerve 10 fight certain things that no
wanted done. He has a perfect right
to appoint both majority and minority
members and | am not complaining
about Il but his eiforts To punish me