Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-03-16
HOUSE FORCED
TO MODIFY
ITS RULES
COMPROMISE COMES
AT TER STORMY DEBATE {
Insurgents Win important Con-
ceSSioni Party Alignment
Lost in Scrap on Floor; Can
non Again Chosen Speaker,

lBy Morning Journal Special Leased WireI
| Washington, ID. G., March l5,-~Af-
ter one of the stormiest sessions IN
its history. the house of representa-
| tives today regardless of party align
ment. adopted by a vote Of I'll to
ne a resolution by Mr. Fitzgerald
| (democraD. of New York. whereby
thes rules were amended in several
important particulars
| Joseph G.. Cannon was reelected
| speaker.
The insurgents did not win the
complete victory they counted on. but
they succeeded in bringing about an
| exceedingly lively session, and obliged
the majority at least TO adopt the
Fitzgerad resolution. which is In the
nature of a compromise
The Fitzgerald resolution was a
sub for one offered by Mr.. Clark OF
Missouri
Its adoption was accomplished only
after the insurgents with tho aid of
the democrats, with one or two eX-
ceptions, had won a decided prelim-
mary victory by voting down a reso-
luton by Mr.. Dalzel making the
unamended rules of the slxticth con-
gress applicable TO those of the press
ent congress.
Such was the fever heat of the
controversy that Mr., Clark Of Mis-
souri, got into spirited cOlloquy with
Mr. Dalzell when he had mounted
the rostrum to read the resolution of
the minority leader. Mr. Clark want
ed 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.. Dal-
zell to get tho information he desired,
ana lie returned % iiis seat,
Shortly afterward when Mr.. Fllz-
geralds resolution was drawn into a
colloduy with Mr.. Clark. who desired
him to yield for question. Much
bitterness was displayed by the two
men.
Mr.. Fitzgerald at first refused to
yield. He later did 50, but MIR. Clark
denied his proffer of time. remark
ing that the New York member would
live TO regret his action. which called
forth the rctort from Mr. Fitzgerald
that he was not to be scared by any
threats
As analysed by parliamentarians,
the amendment makes three impor-
tant changes First it established a
calendar for unanimous consents,
the effect Of which was 20 enable a,
member to have a proposition brought
before the house without having toI
request the speaker for recognition
This change, they say, viii be re-
lief to the speaker.
Second when consideration Of a
bill Is concluded and the previous
question is ordered the rules hereto
fore have provided for motion tol
commit with or without Instructions
1t has been the practice to recognize
a member of the majority 70 make
this motion and thus prevent the
from offering such instruc-
tions az it may desire. The now rule
gives the minority the preference in
making such a motion ana sthus en-
ables them TO get a record vote on a !
which would otherwise be |
settled In committee OF the whole |
house. where no record vote is pos
sblo
u. ~
nesday by requiring a two-thirds vote
instead Of majority vote to set 1t !
aside
Fourth. it is also claimed that the
amendment will have the effect of
favoritism by the action
Of the committee on rules IN special
cases
A prominent feature of the Clark
resolution was an amendment pro-
yiding for a committee of fifteen 20 |
revise, amend and codify the rules
md much of the opposition To 1t was
because Of this fact As adopted the |
amendment makes no
change in the present method Of Sc
Letting the rules committee, nor IS |
there any change In the method OF
committees
Speaker Cannon is inclined to re-
gard the amendment as a slight inn
on the present rules, in
hat Instead of throwing tho rcspon-
dhility for recognition on him II sets
aside certain days FOR considering /
measures under unanimous consent;
,ut. he SAYS under the new rules
members will have 10 wait Tor those
iays.
In a conversation soon after the
action Of the house he commented
freely upon the fact that Mr. Bryan
iad intcrfercd ia tho interest Of the
'hangcs submitted by Mr.. Clark and
spoke of the adoption of the Fitz-
gerald substitute as triumph over
he Bryan forces. saying the conser-
ativc democrats who really want
egisiation have practically stood for
he old rules with the amendments
offered by Mr. Fitzgcrad.
1T was he said. "a protest by
he conservative against populism
and all kindred things
The Fitzgerald amendment follows:
/ Amend paragraph 81 OF rule 4
81 by adding therefor the following
'.rhe committee on rules shall not
report any rule or order which shall
provide that business under para