The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-03-16

Washington, March lo.--Altei oiio VI
the stormiest sessions in it's history
the house of representatives today
regardless of party alignment
adopted by vote of 211 to 172, reso-
luton by Mr.. Fitzgerald (dem) OF
New York, whereby the rules were
amended in several important partic-
ulars, Joseph G. Cannon was re-
elected speaker.
The insurgents did not win the COM
plete victory they counted on, put
succeeded in bringing about an ex-
ceedingly lively session, and obliged
the majority to adopt the Fitzgerald
resolution, which is in the nature OF
compromise.
The FitZgerald resolution was sub
stitute for one offered by Mr.. Clark
of Missouri It's adoption was accom-
plished only after the insurgents, with
the aid of the democrats, with one or
two exceptions, had won decided
preliminary victory by voting down
resolution by Mr.. Dalzell, making the
unamended rules of the Sixtieth con-
gress applicable to those Of the pres
ent congress.
Such was the fever heat of the con-
troversy that Mr.. Clark of Missouri
got into spirited colloquy with Mr.
Dalzell, who had mounted the rostum
to read the resolution of the minority
leader Mr.. Clark wanted him ordered
away from the desk, to which Mr
palzell objected, saying he had right
to know what the measure contained
This incident led to a controversy
with the speaker, which lasted long
enough for Mr.. Dalzell to get the IN
formation he desired, and he returned
to his seat.
Much Bitterness.
Shortly afterwards when Mr.. Fftz-
eralds resolution was up Mr. Fitz-
.erald was drawn into a colloquy with
Mr.. Clark, who desired him to yield
for question. Much bitterness was
displayed by the two men.
Mr.. Fitzgerald at first refused to
Weld. He later did so, but Mr. Clark
declined his proffer of time, remark
ing that the New York member would
live to regret his action, which called
forth the retort from Mr.. Fitzgerald
that he was not to be scared by any
threats"
AS analysed by parliamentarians
the amendment makes three import
ant changes. First, it establishes
calendar for unanimous consents,
the effects of which is to enable
member to have proposition before
the house without having to go to the
speaker for recognition. This change,
they say, will be a relief to the
speaker.
Second, when consideration Of bill
is concluded and the previous, ques-
ton Is ordered the rules heretofore
have provided for a motion to commit
with or without instructions. 1t has
been the practice to recognize mem
Der of the majority to make this mo-
tion and thus prevent the minority
from offering such instructions as 1T
may desire The new rules gives the
minority the preference in making
such a motion and thus enables them
to get a record vote on propositions
that would otherwise be settled In
committee of the whole house. where
no record vote is possible.
Protects Calendar.
Third, it protects the calendar
Wednesday by requiring a two-thirds
instead of a majority vote to set it
aside.
Fourth, it is also claimed that the
amendment will have the effect of
preventing favoritism by the action of
the committee on rules in special
cases.
A prominent feature of the Clark
resolution was an amendment provid-
ing for committee of Is to revise.
amend and codify the rules, and
much of the opposition to it was be-
cause of this fact. AS adopted, the
Fitzgerald amendment makes no
change in the present method Of Sc
lecting the rules committee, nor Is
there any change in the method of Sc
lecting committees.
Speaker Cannon is inclined to re-
gard the amendment as slight i'm
provement on the present rules, in
that instead of throwing the RESPONSE
bility for recognition on him 1t sets
aside certain days for considering
measures under unanimous consent;
but, he says, under the new rules
members will have to wait for those
days.
Comments TTeoIy'
In a conversation soon after the ac-
ton of the house he commented free
ly upon the fact that Mr.. Bryan had
interferred in the interest Of the
changes submitted by Mr.. Clark and
spoke Of the adoption of the Fitzger-
aid substitute as triumph over the
Bryan forces, saying conservative DEM
ocrats who really want legislation had
practically stood for the old rules
with the amendments offered by Mr..
Fitzgerald.
l1.& 1T was" he said, "a protest by the
conservatives against populism and all
kindred things
The Fitzgerald amendment follows:
1. Amend paragraph 81 of rule XI
by adding the following:
"The committee on rules shall not
report any rule or order which shall
provide that business under paragraph
of rule XXVI shall be set aside by