The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-03-19
HOUSE RULES
Are AMENDED
Fitzgerald Resolution Is Adopted
After Hot Flight.
PARTY LINES BADLY BROKEN

"Insursents," with Aid Of Democrats.
Win Preliminary Victory by Voting
Down Motion Of LazelI to Adops
Rules Of Former Congress.
Washington, March lG.-AftcE ofa
of the stoI mCst sessions in It's history
the house of representatives, regard
less Of party alignment, adopted. 2tR
to l72, resolution by Fitzgerald
(Dem., n. W whereby the rules were
amended in several important particu-
lars. The resolution was substitute
for one offered by Clark (Mo).
It's adoption was accomplished only
after the insurgents" with the aid
of the Democrats, with one or two ex-
ceptions, had won decided prelim-
mary victory by voting down a resolu-
ton by Da2ell (Pa) making the I'M
amended rules of the Sixtieth con-
gress applicable to those OF the pres.
ent congress.
The call of the roll on the resolution
was followed with intense interest
Clark and DaIzelI Tilt.
Il N
(MoD got into spirited Colluuuy
with DalzeIl who had mounted tha
rostrum to read the resolution of tho
minority leader. Clark wanted him
ordered away from the desk, to which
proceeding Dalzell objected, saying he
had right to know what the measure
contained. This incident led to con-
troversy with the speaker, which last
ed long enough for Dal2ell to get the
information he desired, and he stepped
from the platform and returned to HIS
seat.
shortly afterward, when Fitzgerald'a
resolution was up, Fitzgerald was
drawn into COlloquy with Clark, who
desired aim to yield for question.
Fitzgerald at first refused to yield,
He later did SO, but Clark declined hia
! profier of time, remarking that the
/ New York member would live to re-
greet his action, which called forth the
retort from Fitzgerald that he was noE
! to be scared by any threats.
Three important Changes.
AS analysed by parIiamcntariana
/ the amendment makes three important
change. First, it establishes "Cal-
endar for unanimous consents" the eff
| feet of which is to enable mcmbeE
to have a proposition brought before
the house without having to go to the
speaker for recognition. This change,
they say, will be a relief to the speak
er. Second, when consideration of "a
bill is concluded asd the previous
] 10
/ fore have provided for motion 10
commit with or without Instructions
1t has been the practice to recognize
member OF the majority party tn
make this motion and thus prevent tho
minority from ohering such instruc-
lions as it may desire. The new rule
gives the minority the preference i'm
. making such a motion and thus en-
ables them to get a record vote ON
propositions which would otherwise be-
settled in COminittee of the whole
house, where no record vote is posi-
Bile. Third, it protects the calendar
Wednesday by requiring a twO-thirGs
instead OF a majority, vote TO set IL
aside. Fourth, it is also claimed that
the amendment will have the effect of
preventing layoritism by the action Of
the committee In u.es in special cases.
A prominent feature of the Clark
resolution was an amendment provid-
ing for a committee of fifteen members
to revise, amend and codiiy the rules
and much OF the opposition to it was
because of this tact. AS adopted, the
Fitzgerald amendment makes no
change in the present method OF tho
selection of the committee on rules.
which is made by the speaker, nor is
there any change in the method of So
leCting committees.
Calls It Triumph over Bryan Forces.
Speaker Cannon is inclined to re-
gard the amendment as a slight i'm
provement on the present rules, in
that instead of throwing the RESPONSE
bility for recognition on him it sets
aside certain days for the considera-
ton of measures under unanimous con-
sent, but, he says, under the new rules
members will have to wait for those
days. In a conversation soon after the
action of the house he commented
freely upon the fact that Mr.. Bryan
h'H iH'Si GU ~ NV ii'oi'o' vi 'hN
-. changes submitted by Clark and spoke
of the adoption of the Fitzgerald sub.
stitute as a triumph over the Bryan
forces, saying that the conservative
Democrats who really want legislation
had practically stood for the old rules
with the amendments offered by Mr..
Fitzgerald.
1T was he said, "a protest by ths
conservatives against Populsm and all
kindred things
. STkhDAR5 MUST PAY SMALL FINE