Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-18
HOUSE IN A TURMOIL.
Continued Dominance of Speaker Can
non at Stake

Washington, March 1S.-At 2 o'clock
| the house by vote Of 134 to
| 1875 defeated for the third time a mo-
| tion to recess until 11.15 a. m. The
stubborn filibuster of the regulars"
was resumed, against consideration
of the resolution of Representative
Norris providing for the reorganiZa-
tion of the committee on rules elimi-
mating the speaker
The moment the vote was announc-
ed and the obstinate test of endur-
ance began again, the Democrats re-
newed their cries Of "Rule!" Rule"
Mr.. Smith, Republican Qa.), a
member Of the committee on rules,
took up the dreary debate. This was
soon after 2 a. m. with no end in
sight
1t was generally understood at 2.30
a. m, that the regulars" haI broken
the quorum deliberately and were
gone for the night. At that hour the
prospect was that nothing further
could be done before morning.
The foregoing describes the situa-
ton at 2 o'clock this morning, and the
following dispatch Of Zach McGhee to
the Columbia State last night tells
what it is all about:
The most dramatic situation in many
tatives tonight, and one of the most
important. Old men who have watch
ed congress from this gallery for twen-
ty years or more say that they have
never seen anything like it, Uncle Joe
Cannon's power over the house is at
stake. A point Of order is pending.
The speaker will not rule on it be-
cause the moment he does there will
be an appeal, and he can not get
majority.
The Democrats and insurgents have
three times outvoted the Republican
machine yesterday and today, and the
speaker is unwilling to risk 1t this
time, because the proposition is to re-
wise the rules. All members of botn
parties out of town who can get here
within twelve hours have been tel
egraphed for and every available man
Is on the job. Meantime speeches are
being made, the most unique, uncon-
ventional and personal ever heard here
in recent times.
Great excitement prevails at times,
and members crowd the aisles and
the space in front Of the speakers
desk.
Applause frequently takes the form
of loud cheers. Speaker Cannon to-
night has left his desk and gone down
on the floor, where, in the most per-
sonal way, he takes part in the de-
bate. Vice President Sherman is on
the floor, apparently advising with the
speaker and his whips.
It all came about by a surprise.
The speaker for once seems to have
been off his guard. After the house
had voted against the speakers deci-
sion as to a census bill being in order.
Mr.. Norris. insurgent Republican
from Nebraska, demanded recognition
on a question Of the highest cOnsti
er refused to enter into this, but Mr..
Norris kept shouting and demanding
recognition till the speaker finally
turned to him and sarcastically said:
I'VE will hear what the gentleman's
highest constitutional privilege is"
To the CONSERVATION Of the speak
er, Mr.. Norris proposed to abolish the
present rules committee, which is the
machines bulwark.
Having recognized Mr.. Norris, the
speaker could do nothing but rule on
whether or not tine questions were in
order.
Not being ready the speaker allow
ed debate, and debate has been going |
on ever since, interrupted twice by |
roll calls on motions to adjourn. At
1890 the speaker, still not ready, beg |
ged for time. He asked the house to |
adjourn till tomorrow. The house re-
fused to do this. registering third |
turn down of the speaker today
Upon the failure of the motion to
adjourn the machine side made mo-
ton to take recess. This too, was
lost, the Democrats and insurgents
then shouted from all sides. "Rule!"
"Rule!"
The speaker smilingly kissed his
hand at his enemies and recognized
Gen. Keifer of Ohio to kill more time.
The speaker is up tree and can
not afford to rule as long as the house
IS against him. At 11.30 there is no
prospect of an end tonight.
The Democrats are having little to
say, but they vote sOlidly every time.
All told. it is a high old Republican
scrap and the Democrats are enjoying
I intensely