The Detroit times., 1910-04-22
FOWLER ACCEPTS
CANNON Def
Makes Singing Attack on Him and
Offers Resolution To Strip Him
of Appointive Power.

WASHINGTON. April 2l-"The
final step TO insure absolute freedom
OF the house" is the way Rep. Fowler.
(Rep. n. j. summed up a sweeping
resolution which he introduced In the
house today. II adopted II would re-
duce the speaker 20 a mere parliam-
entary fixture. stripping him OF all ap-
pointive power. Ii is really an ac-
ceptance OF Cannon's reiterated in
vitation to follow up the victory OF
the insurgents In the rules fight.
The dissolution of the speaker
powers. SO arrogantly abused by him,
Is absolutely essential 10 the restora-
tlon OF free. representative govern
ment.' said Fowler, discussing his
measure.
I'VE have already eliminated the
speaker from the committee on rules.
IL is now time that We should strip
his cffice OF the power TO appoint COM
mittees. and limit it's functions TO the
single duty Of presiding over the de-
alterations OF the house.
MY resolution will establish the
principle OF just representation from
the standpoints of population, geogra-
ply and the peculiar business inter
ests Of every section; and Will secure
to both the majority and minority the
right To select Its membership on the
respective committees.
The Capitalization In the speaker
OF the right TO appoint committees
and to control legislation through the
committee on rules and the power of
recognition made him the most auto
cratic influence In American political
life. To say that the consequence OF
these powers has made the Office a
gigantic machine OF political black
mail Is only to state what everybody
admits.
How often have we seen men roll
ing In the dust of expectation before
this throne of political dispensation.
or grovelling in the mire Of cowardice
and contemplating before this Jug
gernaut OF brutal despotism.
we have seen truculent sycop-
hants reap the rich harvest OF their
subserviency, while honest and brave
men have been put to the political
sword.
Under the circumstances, | believe
that neither the Republican nor the
Democratic members can afford to
falter In the accomplishment OF this
great reform because the people are
now demanding something more than
mere slavish party service They are
demanding patriotic devotion to
duty without reference to party con-
sequences. If unhappily party policies
do not seek the public good and con
serve the general welfare
What the people want is RESPONSE
bic representative government and
they Will repudiate every betrayal OF
that expectation and trust whether IL
be on the part OF Republican or a
Democrat"
The Fowler resolution creates two
committees OF members-minority and
maJority-who are to elect the mem
bers OF the standing committees of
the house. The measure directs the
head OF the census bureau to draw six
parallel lines. running north and
south diving the United States as far
as practicable into seven sections
In each OF which the population shall
be the same. The members within
each section are TO elect one OF their
number as member Of the commit
tee on committees.
The seven Democrats are to name
all Democratic committee men and
the seven Republicans all Republican
committeeman, acting separately.
Fowler is one of the most active
opponents of Speaker Cannon, by whom
he was removed from the chairman
ship of the banking and currency
committee last season.
Fowler's resolution was read amid
silence. Rep. Payne. rep. y. ", and
Mann. (Rep., ILL.,. made points OF or
der against IL and Rep. Hardwick
(Dem., Cal. then raised the point OF
&c quorum and Payne moved a call OF
the house.
The resolution came as surprise
not only 10 the regulars" but TO the
insurgents as well. and the greatest
confusion prevailed.
After a parliamentary skirmish.
Fowler said he would not insist upon
present consideration.
The resolution itself provides for
onsideration on May g" he said. Il
want TO have IL referred 10 the com
mittee on rules