The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1909-03-18
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1909.
CONGRESS IN SESSION.

The SiXty-hrst Congress con-
vened in extra session Monday
and Joseph G. Cannon, of Hi
nois, was reelected Speaker of
the House with plenty of votes
to spare. After one of the storm
lest sessions in its history, the
House of Representatives, re-
CARELESS of party alignment,
adopted resolution by Mr.. Fitz-
gerald (Democrat) of New York,
whereby the rules were amended
in some important particulars,
the resolution being a substitute
for one offered by Mr.. Clark, of
Missouri, minority leader. This
was accomplished through an al
lance between the Republican
insurgents and the Democratic
side, the rules of the SiXtieth
Congress being first rejected and
the Cannon forces routed. A
. small group of Democrats, under
the leadership of Representative
Fitzgerald, were opposed to the
plan of complete revision of
the rules at the beginning of the
regular session next winter, as
proposed in a resolution offered
by Camp Clark, Democratic lead
er, and favored a compromise
proposal calling for the adoption
of the old rules with certain i'm
portant amendments, and this
was the proposition ultimately
adopted. The Cannon forces, real
izing that they were defeated in
their attempt to force the old
rules down the threats of the
House, lined up solidly behind
the Fitzgerald plan. Fitzgerald
and the Democrats who stood
with him are being denounced as
traitors, their failure to stand
with the minority leader making
it impossible for him to secure
the reforms the Democrats were
fighting for.
AS analysed by parliamenta-
rians the amendment makes
three important changes:
First, it establishes a 'calen-
dar for unanimous consents the
effect of which is to enable a
member to have a proposition
brought before the House with.
out having to go to the Speaker
for recognition. This change,
they say, will be a relief to the
Speaker.
Second. When consideration
of bill is concluded and the pre-
vious question is ordered the
rules heretofore have provided
for a motion to commit with OF
without instructions. 1t has beer
the practice to recognize a mem
Der of the majority party tomakt
this motion and thus prevent tn,
minority from offering such in
structions as it may desire. Tn,
new rule gives the minority tn,
preference in making such a mo
ton and thus enables it to get
record vote on propositions which
would otherwise be settled il
committee of the whole house
where no record vote is possible
Third. 1t protects the calen
dar-Wednesday by requiring
two-thirds instead of a majorit,
vote to set it aside.
Fourth. 1t is also claimed
that the amendment will hav,
the effect of preventing favorit
ism by the action of the commit
tee on rules in special cases."
On Tuesday President TAT
sent to Congress a message tina
is a gem for brevity, being les
than half a column of The Robe
sonian in length. He has con
vened Congress in this extra ses
sion in order for it to give i'm
mediate consideration to tn
Dingley tariff act, conditions de
handing it and the presen
tariff act not furnishin,
enough income. Yesterday tn
tariff bill was presented il
the House of Representatives b,
Representative Serene E. Payne
of New York, chairman of tn
ways and means committee. Al
increase of$40, 900, 600 to$5O, 900,
600 in the annual revenue O
the county will, it is estimated
result from the changes pre-
posed, making total of abou
$500, 600, 900.
Elsewhere in this paper will b
found a resume of the acts pass
ed by the recent Legislature tha
are of Snacial intaroo+ 70 o;+;,o.,