The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-19
DOWNFALL OF
SPEAKER CANNON.

Continued from Page One.D
front presented by the Democratic mi
nority and by the solid vote of the
the rules, and made more certain by
the very considerable detection which
is occurring within the ranks of the
regular Republicans.
Numerous members who have hith-
erto stood with the leaders of the ma
Jority have openly told the latter that
they could not follow them longer in
the fight to sustain Speaker Cannon
and the rules
These, perhaps a dozen or more in
number, are Republicans not classed
as insurgents, but who are feeling the
pressure from home that they break
away from the organization and vote
for revision of the rules.
Regulars Willing to Compromise.
The leaders of the house organiza-
ton, therefore, are willing to grant
far they will go, or can go, was not
indicated.
Speaker Cannon himself is the big
gest obstacle In the way of his elimina-
ton from the rules committee and his
consent must be had before the regu-
lars can make any final compromise.
The conference of regular and insurgent
Republicans convened at $3.50 a. m. in
the Office of the ways and means COM
mittee. There were present when the
proceedings began:
For the enthusiastically Leader
Payne, New York; Dalzen of Pennsyl-
vania; smith of Iowa; Tawney, Mime
sofa, and Mann, Illinois.
For the nsurgents-Norris, Nebras-
ka; Gardner. Massachusetts; Hayes,
California, and Lenroot, Wisconsin.
Martin. South Dakota, also appeared
at the conference room and was adj
mitted. He was not placed either with
the insurgents or regulars, but rather
as a harmonizing influence.
niZQTinn leaders
would say in advance of the confer
ence what plan would be pursued. Not
one was ready to admit openly the
organization was overthrown, but
talk was heard on every
side.
Representative Mann said the situa-
ton was unchanged from last night in
regard to the rules situation.
Insurgents Are Buoyant.
The insurgent leaders were buoyant.
They apparently felt they held the reins
well within their hands and were en-
powered to bring about any result they
desired.
IT believe there will be a new rules
committee and the speaker will not be
a member" said Representative Gard
.Ier. Just now this will be accom-
plished this conference will determine.
If the regulars do not concede this to
us in some matter or form the fight
will go to the floor where we have the
power 20 com pei the verdict
I'VE hold the balance Of power in the
house just now" said Representative
Hayes. Fourteen of us voted for ad-
journment last night and the majority
for adjournn7c MT was jus: IA.
IF We vote the other way and against
the regulars We car carry 1t that way.
We are in an easy place.
The possibility of allowing the speak
er to retire from the rules committee by
some sort of "gentlemen's agreement"
not explicitly set forth was mentioned
Surgents. They were willing to con-
sent to this if they could gain what they
were striving fora substantial reform |
of the rules.
The speaker and his friends did not
want to have anything put in writing |
that would be a standing record of |
defeat. If he would agree |
20 retire without stating it in a signed |
agreement, it was said that might fur |
1iSh easy way out of the embar- |
RAISING situation. The Democrats say |
they dislike to be put in position |
where they have to accept anyone's |
word" for such an outcome.
Norris Is Confident.
Just before the conference began, |
Mr.. Norris (Neb.). the author of the |
struggle in the history of |
congress, still looked haggard from the |
ong strain to which he had been sub |
lected. But he was smiling and ap-
from his point of view.
1.-THE situation is unchanged" said |
Mr.. Norris as he entered the confer |
snce room. There is no doubt we will |
win our fight. BY exactly what ma
ority 1t is impossible to say, but my |
is sufficient to warrant me |
n saying that we have a majority"
Representative Fowler, New Jer
sey, one of the original members of |
the insurgency, the member who was /
deposed from the Craftsmanship OF |
he banking and currency committee |
IS the price of his defiance of the or
ganization accosted Mr.. Norris out
side the capitol while he was hur-
-ying to the conference. Together
they discussed the situation for a
few minutes. Fowler was earnest, |
emphatic and demonstrative.
Don't you give in," he admonish-
I'd. Don't you yield an inch," and
Norris smiled and said something in
IN undertone.
Fowler nodded and Norris hurried
nto the big building to enter upon
what was believed to be the decisive
struggle.
Wild cheering on the Republican
tide of the house greeted Speaker
Cannon as he mounted the rostrum at
IL o'clock.
BOTH ARE DETERMINED.
W. o. - l. I