Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-16
CANNON WINS,
AND CONGRESS
AMENDS RULES
DEMOCRATS AND INSURGENTS
TRIUMPHANT
THREE IMPORTANT REVIsloNS
TO AID MINORITY
Champ Clark and John DalzelI Indulge
in Heated coiIoquy--Fltzgerald's
Resolutions Finally
Adopted
tBy Associated Press.l

NV ASHINGTON, Marcn lo'-Ailer
wv one of the stormiest sessions IN
w the history the house of repre-
sentatiyes, regardless of party align
ment. today adopted, by vote of I'll to
172, a resolution by Mr.. Fitzgerald
Dem.) of New York whereby the rules
were amended in several important
particulars. Joseph G. Cannon was
reelected speaker.
The insurgents did not win the coih-
nlete victory they counted on, but sue
ceeded in bringing about an exceed
lngly lively session, and Obliged the
majority to adopt the Fitzgerald reso-
luton, which Is IN the NATURE oA
The Fitzgerald resolution was a sub
stit,Ite for one offered by Champ Clark
of Missouri.
It's adoption was accomplished only
after the insurgents, with the aid OF
the Democrats with one or two excep-
tions, had won decided preliminary
victory by voting down a resolution by
Mr.. Dalzeil, making the unamended
rules of the. Sixtieth congress apph-
cable to the Sixty-first
Such was the fever heat of the con-
troversy that Mr.. Clark of Missouri
pot into a spirited colloquy with Mr..
Dalzell who had mounted the rostrum
to read the resolution of the minority
leader.
Mr.. Clark wanted him ordered away
from the DESK to which Mr.. Dalzell
objected, saying he had right to
know what the measure contained.
This incident led to a controversy with
the speaker, which lasted long enough
for Mr.. Dalzell to get the information
he desired.
Have Bitter ColIoquy
charity afterward. when Mr. Fitz-
gerald's resolution was brought up
Mr.. Fitzgerald was drawn into col
loquy with Mr.. Clark, who desired him
to yield for question.
Much bitterness was displayed py
the two men.
Mr.. Fitzgerald at first refused to
WELD He later did so, but Mr. clark
declined his proffer of time, remark.
ing the New York member would
live to regret his action, when calleo
forth the retort from Mr. Fitzgerald
that He was not to be scared by any
threats"
AS analyzed by parliamentarians,
the amendment makes three important
changes. First, it establishes
calendar for unanimous consent" the
effect of which is to enable measure
to have a proposition brought before
the house without having to go to the
speaker for recognition. This change,
they say, will be relief to the
speaker.
a bill Is completed and the previous
question is ordered, the rules here
tofore have provided for a motion to
commit with or without instructions.
1t has been the practice to recognize
member of the majority to make
this motion and thus prevent the mi
nority from offering Such INSTRUCTIONS
as 1t may desire.
VIII Aid Minority
The new rule gives the minority the
preference in making such motion and
thus enables them to get a record vote
on propositions which otherwise would
be settled in committee of the hole,
where nc record vote Is possible.
Third-It protects the calendar by
requiring a two-thirds instead of a
majority vote to set it aside.
Fourth--It is claimed the amendment
will have the effect of preventing
fayoritism by the action of the COM
mittee on rules in special cases.
The Fitzgerald amendment follows:
l. Amend paragraph 81 of rule IL
by adding thereto the following
1.-THE committee on rules shall not re-
port any rule or order which shall pro-
vide that business under paragraph 4
of rule 26 shall be set aside by vote
of less than two-thirds of the members
present nor shall it report any rule or
order WHICH SHdli OptIdlt " BlCfCit
the motion to recommit being made as
provided In paragraph of rule 16.
e. Amend rule 13 by adding the fol-
lowing paragraph to be numbered 3, as
follows:
Calendar of Consent
after bill which has been favor
ably reported shall be either upon the
house or the union calendar for three
days any member may file notice with
the clerk that he desires such bill
placed upon a special calendar to be
known as the calendar for unanimous
consent.
ION days when it shall be in order to
suspend the rules the speaker shall, i'm
mediately after the approval of the
Journal, direct the clerk to call the bills
on the calendar of unanimous consent,
and it shall not thereafter be placed
thereon"
SS. Amend rule 16 by adding at the
end of paragraph the following:
"After the previous question is or
dered on the passage of a bill or joint
resolution one motion to recommit
shall be in order and the speaker shall
give preference in recognition for such
purpose to a member who is opposed
to the bill or joint resolution"
A. Amend paragraph A of rule 26 so
that ii shall read as follows:
"On each Wednesday no business
shall be in order except as provided by
paragraph of rule "a unless the house
by two-thirds vote shall otherwise
determine On such motion there
may be debate not to exceed five min
utes for and against.
"On call of committees under these
rules bills may be called up from either
the house or the union calendar, ex-
cepting bills privileged under the rules.
"This rule shall not apply during the
last two weeks of the session. IT shall
not be in order for the speaker to en-
tertain motion for a recess on any
Wednesday except during the last two
weeks of the session."