The Washington herald., 1909-01-08

Sarcasm, praise. pathos, and invective
marked 2 speech by Representative
Bourke Cochran yesterday afternoon on
the proposed changes in tie House Eules.
aad when he had finished talking in
surgents, Cannon Republicans and Demo-
Gratis gathered about him and cOngratu-
/ lated him for his excellent statements on
the parliamentary questions which govern
the lower branch Of lawmakers
| Mr.. Cochran took issue with the in
| surgents. who say the rules are all
wrong" hurled q stinging rebuke 10 those
who opposed the rules on general
principles, and paid tribute 10 the faith
fuI followers OF Uncle Joe" His per
tinent replies 10 members who asked ir-
relevant questions, and his sharp answers
20 those who disagreed with him pro
voked much laughter on the floor, as well
as IN the well-flled galleries.
Agrees with Neither side.
Mr.. Cochran. who agreed with neither
/ side Of the controversy. said THAI he
had but one change 20 suggsst-that
whenever one-ffth o. those present sec
onded a demand that q certain bin be
/ taken I'D. a vote on that proposition
should be allowed. II not that. the leader
I OF the minority should have the right TO
demand a vote.
/ The discussion followed an unqualified
/ defense Of the House rules, made soon
after the committee resolved itself into a
/ Committee Of the Whole House on the
state Of the Union 10 consider the district
Of Columbia appropriation biz. by Repre-
/ sentative Oimsted, Of PENNSYLVANIA. one OF
/ Speaker Jannon's lieUJenants; and an at
I tack on the rules by Representative
/ Gardner, Of Massachusetts,. one OF the
! insurgent leaders
! Mr. Olmsted cOntended the rules had
/ been IN effect since the time Of Speaker
/ Reed, and that under them as many
( bills had been passed as under conditions
/ existing previously.
/ In the course OF his remarks Mr.. Oim-
/ sted proked a roar OF laughter on the
I floor By declaring Representative John
/ Wesley Games, Of Tennessee, was the
nations fairest example Of freedom Of
/ speech in the House Of Representatives
( In the hrst session OF the present Con-
/ gress he delivered no less than zGe
/ speeches. covering the widest possible
range Of topics. from the Congo Free
state 10 the postal service on Mount
Eagle, Tenn: from clean money to cam
paign contributions. from fish culture 20
ship subsidy: from wood pulp 20 the
( Ladies' Hermitage Association. from tar
III revision 10 the prevention OF tuber-
I culOsis; from fierce and warllke CeuUn-
ciation Of the tobacco trust 90 the tender
( memories which cluster about the mis-
letoe boUgh. in whose defense against the
/ onslaUghts OF the gentleman from Texas
/ C3dr Burleson) he even quoted poetry. Ny
distinguished and handsome friend not
only made 2.a09 speeches himself. but he
assisted nearly every other member in
( making his
Freedom Of speech.
Having 50 often overwhelmed Is with
I the whlriwind OF his eloquence and his
motions: so often instructed. enlightened.
and charmed US. so often intoxicated Us
\ By the exuberance Of his enhancing
4 epidictic orat0Ty he Is a living fIustra-
ton of the fact that free speech Is not
/ entirely supprsssed-nOJ entirely laugh
teri
To this Mr.. Gaines replied. good-natur-
edly. that he would make 5.o00.000 speeches
II he thought il would do him OF his
cause any good In obtaining better con-
ditions.
Mr.. Gardner's speech was IN support OF
his resolution, introduced Wednesday. 10
/ add a rule TO the present rules providing
for Calendar Tuesday a day on which
! any member would have the right 20 call
up any measure that had been reported
BY the committee and was on the House
/ calendar