The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-22
HOUSE is QUIET
AFTER THE STORM

Washington, March 81 The House
passed through it's first day of business
following the great eruption of last week
with remarkable quietude, and tonight
when adjournment came there was On
air of calmness and amlty prevailing
that, to the observers of events in the
past week. was almost unbelievable.
Peace appeared near, and this notwith-
standing that less than ten days distant
there is the selection of a new rules
committee to be undertaken with all Its
embarrassing complications.
There were many elements that con-
trlbuted TO the days PUBLICATIONS, The
democrats, satisfied with the situation
os it left them, after the four days OF
fierce strife, were content 40 let mat
ters drift for while.
The regular republicans, realizing from
violent outbursts in the press from va
rious insurgents over the Saturday night
speech of Speaker Cannon when he called
them "cowardly MEMBERS" that party
harmony was to be gained only by the
most diplomatic tender of the olive
branch, were most adroit in their rela-
titns today with their insurgent breth
rem.
That division of the insurgents which
voted for the ousting of Speaker Can
ion from the speakership was eminently
satisfied today with their effort and, like
the democrats, willing to let things drift
quietly.
The score or so of insurgents who had
voted for the retention of the speaker in
the chair, only to be rewarded with
whitening blast from the speaker, sup
piled the only discordant note. They
reached the capitol in decidedly wrath
full and militant frame of mind. Several
of them, like Representative Norris of
Nebraska Madison of Kansas, Hayes of
California, and two or three others gave
at once their views fully to the press,
sharing Norris words In yoicng their
Indignation at the way the situation af
fected them. Two or three of them talked
loudly of continued warfare-of q further
fight ON the rules of the House-on Speak
err Cannon, upon the regulars in their
selection of the new rules commit
tee, and along other lines of insur-
gency. But, Notwithstanding their cries
OF renewed rebellion, they were met on
all sides by SMILES and conciliatory words
from the regulars.
Not the least influence in producing a
sort sof general air of forgiveness was
the word that come indirectly from the
room of Speaker Cannon to the effect that
the speaker had moderated in his atti-
tude toward the men he denounced Sat
tainty that the speaker had been mis-
quoted in his remarks,' or something OF
that kind.
One of the strongest evidences of the
days tendency toward peace was the
nomination of Majority Leader Payne for
place on the new rules committee by
Representative Norris. the leader of the
Insurgents and author of the resolution
which precipitated the recent war.
REPRESENTATION NorTia said that Mi
nority Leader Clark was to be MEM
Der of the committee ne believed Mr..
Payne also should be on the committee.
Half the House appeared tot find some
thing humorous in the situation and the
bitterness and rancor of the past few
days appeared gradually to disspate-
Whether 1t has in 1T any greater signifi-
canoe than that of a mere incident OF
one legislative day cannot be foretold.
The republican caucus on the selection
of the new rules committee, it was an
nounced by Representative Currier, chair
man of the republican caucus, would be
held the latter part of the week, prob
ably Saturday night. Nearly all of the
II surgents, both those who,Voted for and
against the speaker last Saturday, an
nounced that they intend to enter the
caucus.
Representative Hays and one or two
others early in the day declared they
would not under any cOnS1ueTdtioll eHtei
the caucus unless they had assurances
as to who the new members of the COM
nittee would be and that they would be
men satisfactory to the insurgents.
Many of the regular republicans vol
unteered the opinion that the insurgents
should be represented on the rules COM
mittee A few asserted that they should
rot have representatives. Leaders of the
Insurgents raid they would hold no meet
ing before the republican caucus They
thought there was no need of 1t.
The democrats, through Minority Leader
Clark, acting as their chairman, mad
Representative Clayton of Alabama 10
call the caucus for next wednesday
night Three of their selections are sure
to be Representative Clark of Missouri
Fitzgerald of New York, and Underwood
of Alabama. Nothing but unanimity of
sentiment is expected in the democratic
meeting.
Some of the committees began work
again today and by tomorrow it was ex-
pected the grinding out of legislation,
including measures advocated by Presi-
dent Taft, would be in full swing.