The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-10
However the White House Ov-
erIord Told Them Revision
OF Tariff and. Not Scrap
Over Rules Needed.
He ADVISED DROPPING
THE FIGHT RIGHT NOW
He Stated That He Would AS
sumo a Neutral Position
And Wouldn't Lift Hand for
Either of Factions.

WdSUIHSlO 1dICH 4uOsS
from the fayorite announcement made
by the Spanish government every
time their army or naval forces met
with a repulse during the Spanish-Am-
erican war. lit was a sad but glor-
ious day." for the insurgents OF the
house of representatives yesterday.
A brave phalanx, consisting OF Gussie
Gardner, of Massachusetts; Eddie
Madison. of Kansas and Jack Nelson.
OF Wisconsin, marched to the white
house 10 offer the command OF the
insurgent forces to President Taft.
military rank which. In their judg-
ment was superior to Commander In
Chief of the army and navy OF the
United States. which he holds by vir-
tue OF his office. They passed
through the executive portals with
brave and martial step. They started
their proposition to the president, but
in the language of the street he ad-
vised them to "skiddoo."
Assured Triumph.
The insurgent band spent several
hours with Mr.. Taft. They assured
him that under his leadership they
and their fellows could achieve a not
able triumph over the main body of
republicans of the house who are cap
tanned by Uncle Joe" Cannon. When
the regulars caught sight Of the at
lacking party, with the white house
flag floating over them, they would be
sure to capitulate without resistance.
The opportunity for glory was too
good to be missed, the president was
told, and 1t would be most distressing
to the insurgents II victory almost
won already were wantonly thrown
away.
he admired their spunk and sympa-
thized with their aspirations. He had
enough OF the Roosevelt spirit in him
to enjoy good fight and hoped that
some day they could all participate
In pitched battle in which there
would be glory enough for us ALL"
as Rear Admiral Schley said after the
Battle of Santiago, IL years ago. But
just at present there was much more
serious business in hand than scrap
ping over the rules OF the house. That
business was to revise the tariff as
speedily as possible SO as to restore
stability to business and commerce.
Stays on the Fence.
Perhaps there ought to be a revis-
ion of the rules SO as to curtail the
tremendous power of the speaker. the
president sand. but that was an insig-
nificant matter as compared with the
vital problem of changing the exist
Ing schedules promptly so as to en-
able the stupendous business of the
country to be conducted on normal
basis. He explained that he would
occupy neutral position toward the
regulars and insurgents, but expressed
the positive wish that the insurgents
would not do anything whatever that
would delay the consideration of the
tariff bill. In fact, the president re.
quested his callers to drop their fight
after having made their first show OF
strength on the opening day of the
special session, that is. next Monday.
This they promised to do. having no
other alternative but to incur the SER
iOus displeasure OF the president. The
principal changes in the rules which
the insurgents insist upon are that
the appointment Of the committees by
the house shall be made by an en-.
larged committee on rules instead OF
by the speaker. and that this commit
tee shall be selected by the house IT.
self instead of by the speaker The
insurgents protested to have enough
men In their ranks to score over
Speaker Cannon and his lieutenants
provided they had the solid support OF
the democrats.