The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-03-15
both sides Are Expressing Supreme
Confidence in One. Of the Great
est Parliamentary Battles
in History Of House.
INSURGENTS ARE ACTIVE
Believes That If Cannon is Not De-.
feated the Rules Will be Chang
ed-Allies E I'D Over
Situation.

Representative Murdoch, Kansas
insurgent leader: I'VE are feeling
mighty good. No doubt exists in my
mind that the program leaders will be
smashed.
Champ Clark, democratic leader:
"There are thirty-four republican votes
dead certain to be cast against Dal-
zell's motion for the previous question
O, the adoption of rules. Most of
these votes will be cast for the speak
ership candidate other than Cannon
! nave every reason to believe every
democratic member of the house will
vote for me for speaker, for liberal
ization rules.
Watson, Cannon's lieutenant: I'VE
have the insurgents beaten. The re-
publican majority will elect Cannon
and re-adopt the old rules"
WASHINGTON. March 15.-On the
eve of one of the greatest parlimen-
tary battles in the history of the
fouse of representatives, the outcome
which may tear the sceptre from the
hand of Speaker Cannon. both sides
are expressing supreme confidence.
Few predict the defeat of Cannon but
declare the rules will be changed The
roll of the new house shows III demo-
crats, zfS Republicans. Tne majority,
therefore. is 1876. Despite the express
sion of confidence the regulars early
today gave little sign of weakening.
This was when it was admitted there
were some prospects the rules would
not be voted on today. Heretofore
they have been positive of Dalzelrs
motion with the previous question will
be rushed through today. Now they
say they may bo permitted a few
speeches. Therefore, the allies are
highly elated upon the developmnt,
SAYING it shows the delay is not of their
making. The Democrats held eau
Gus in the hall of the house before the
blst congress convened at noon.
It was not expected Taft's message
ON the tariff will not be sent until to
morrow. The Republican insurgents
held special caucus at 10 O'Clock
this morning making final arrange
ments for fight agains. the house
rules.
Rules Issue Paramount.
WASHINGTON, March 15.-The
contest over the organization and rules
oil the house almost obscured the real
object for which the 6lst congress
was called into an extraordinary ses
sion today, revision of the tariff
Even Taft has been much taken ul
comforting with congressman on the
rules question. shaking hands with
about $4,000 we'll wishers since he en-
tered the white house, and has not We,
mad the opportunity to prepare his
special message. Indications this
morning We're he will not be able to
complete it today. Chairman Payne
OF the ways and means committee an
nounced this morning the tariff bill
VIII not be presented to the house
until after the receipt of Taft's mes
sage. The committee met this morn
ing to put the finishing touches tt
the tariff bill. Speaker Cannon wa:
the first caller at the white house to
Gay. He discussed the matter .
organization of house rules with tht
president.
Champ Clark Optimistic.
When Champ Clark appeared a
the democratic caucYs he was receiv
ed with wild applause. His address
as follows.
Last December the democratic
caucus elected me minority leader b,
unanimous vote But a moment ag,
you unanimously nominated M
Speaker. For these fattering evi
uences of your confidence. am CRATE
ful In the last days of the sixtietl
congress we won some notable vic
tories, astonishing victories. w
achleved those triumphs by standin
s together and fighting together. w
can, at the present congress, vii
more victories more easily. We mus
remember that to very large exten
We have in our keeping the immed
late future OF the democratic part,
Events have demonstrated that the re
puplicans are disorganized, disgrun
ied, and at the logger-heads generally
Let US close, up the ranks, present
solid front and demonstrate to tn
world that we are worthy Of the big
vocation wherein we are called,