The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-14

four Iowans as the medium of COM
munication with both the regulars and
the Insurgents. Two propositions were
made through them. Speaker Cannon
would not listen TO either. They looked
10 appointing committees to take up re-
vision Of the rules; but the Speakers
advisers saw nothing ahead, short Of
complete victory. and would not yield an
inch. The four Iowans had for some
days said that thew would attend the
caucus, ana with that much assured.
the regulars felt safe in the expectation
of holding them to the finish SO it was
not necessary To cOncede anything. and
ali peace OvertuTes were rejected
1t is now simply a question whether
the organization over-reached itself in
the effort to bind those people who,
being present, wanted opportunity TO
declare themselves against the rules,
and 70 specify that they would not be
bound by caucus action on that sub
ject AmonS those present who are op-
IOsed to the present rules, more or less
militantly were.
STEVENSON of Minnesota, Kendall,
Pickett, Good and Woods of Iowa.
Pearre of Maryland, Hollinssworth and
johnson of Ohio.
There is plenty OF material, then, out
of which 80 muster an army which at
noon tomorrow might overcome that
of the Speaker. But it must be mace
up Of Democrats anc Republicans, Ie-
cruits and veterans, of men largely I'M
skilled in parliamentary fighting. l.
must oppose a magnificent organization.
drilled, disciplined and equipped with
every resource of this kind of warfare,
powerful TO reward OF punish, and
anxious to do both as occasion may
dictate.
Cannon Safe
Speaker Cannon, of course, is certain
of election. There is no question about
that. There has been none from the
beginning of the fight, though some of
the insurgents hoped to hold up his
election on Monday and get the senti-
mental benefit of such a showing of
power B,5t they will not accomplish
it, Cannon will be elected on the first
showing of strength, and the struggle
will then turn on the rules.
The insurgents could win without the
uncertain Iowans (of whom they con-
slider they are practically certain to get
three and perhaps four in the rules
fight if they were certain of the solid
Democratic support. But they are not,
and in the last twenty -four hours their
chance of getting that support in mass
has weakened hourly. A leader of the
Republican House organization said
after the caucus last night:
ssT-bp1- ran aax-o1. heat ne becanSa va-p
can make up in absentee Democrs is
whatever is necessary to overcome
them. There are three classes of Demo-
Gratis in the House. First, those who
follow Clark and are willing to so into
the alliance with The insurgents: sec
ond, those who honestly believe the
rules ought to be sane and sensible,
and who know that the present system
is. after ali. the best possible TO ex-
pedite business. Third, those who are
always willing on general principles to
lend hand to the organization if they
can properly do it; men who can be
induced TO stay away TO prevent just
such a result as would ensue if this
combine OF insurgents and Democrats
should threaten to win.
There are at least forty Democrats
in the second class I have named. we
VIII not need 10 draw put lew OF
them; but we could draw them all II
it were necessary. in order to win"
Democratic Situation
The Democratic situation is well IL
Illustrated by Georgia. That delegation
caucused Saturday afternoon at length
Livingston, BTanJley, Howard, Hughes
Edwards and Griggs took part. They
framed UP a remarkable series of de
Insnds. First, they want all insurgenti
ali, not part-to vote in good faith
for some other person than Cannon, al
the time" second, they want full ant
free discussion of every item in tn,
tariff BILL" a proposition so manifest!
impossible that everybody laughe,
when told Of il, and third, they wan
some sort of impossible overhauling o
the rules which could never be secured
1t all means, OF course" said one o
the House Republican leaders, tina
they are looking for pTetext not TO &C
with the Clark forces. Louisiana
looking likewise for such preteXt, an
finds il in the sugar tariff -
None the less, Champ Clark is dom