Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-03-21
RESOLUTION TO
SIMPLIFY RULES
THREATENS FIGHT
Renewal of House Battle Immi-
nent When Democrat Pre-
sents Measure.
GREAT DISORDER MARKS
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
Insurgents Still at Sea as to
Program for Choosing
New Committee.

sentative Wilson Dem), of Pennsyi-
yania. introduced a resolution today
authorizing the new rules committee of
the House to revise, amend, simplify
and codify the rules of the House.
The resolution was offered after the
House had been in session for some
Tine, during which there had been
much disorder and carried a threat of
\ precipitating another fight
y The galleries We're almost filled when
the House convened today, the crowd
eyincing expectation of developments
III the storm of the past week. Down
on the floor, just before the speakers
gavel fell, representatives were chaff-
ing each other good naturedly. Repre-
sentative Murdock, of Kansas, in a
group near the speakers rostrum, was
talking over the situation.
Speaker Cannon called the House to
order promptly at noon. Immediately
after the chaplain had concluded his
prayer, a buzz of conversation arose.
Tapping the members to order angrily,
the speaker reminded them that the
unanimous consent calendar, which was
the order of the day, twas not safe
calendar, unless the House considered
1t in an orderly manner.
I'VE cannot get good legislation" he
said, without the cooperation Of men,
bers.'
The unanimous consent calendar re-
ferred to by Mr.. Cannon was part of
the new Fitzgerald rules adopted by the
House about a year ago.
Again insisting upon order Speaker
Cannon pointed out to the House a pos
3ible weakness of the Fitzgerald rules,
1.-THE unanimous consent calendar" de-
clared Mr.. Cannon, between the raps OF
his gavel, "has relieved the speaker
f.2m all responsibility in examining
bills before he exercises his discretion
in submitting them to unanimous con-
sent, and now that discretion rests
upon the House, and,' he added In
earnest tones, 'if the House is not In
order somebody will get hurt" When
the laughter that followed this par
liamentary threat ceased, the speaker
appealed to the spectotros to assist in
maintaining order
"The chair appeals to the galleries
which are not saying a word, to con-
tinue in that conditioner course, the
House will keep order,'' he added, with
a smile. Some semblance of order was
then obtained and the House proceeded
to dispose of a number of bills of minor
Importance on the calendar.
The oriy serious faces to be seen
aroundsthe House today were those of
sfnsurgents,' who voted last Satur-
r day t. sretain Speaker Cannon. All of
these contended with fervor that they
supported principle and that they
were satisfied with their position.
Nevertheless they appeared to realize
that their attitude could easily be con-
strued as one in support of Speaker
Cannon and they seemed to feel the
burden of their responsibility.
Representative Hayes, of California,
an "insurgent," who voted with the
regulars, declared that he would not
enter a Republican caucus, unless he
was assured that the men to be selected
would be satisfactory to the 'insur-
gents"
'I fought for a principle last week,
and l refuse to throw away now the
fruits of the victory we won. Where
would we gain anything il we allowed
the regulars to name that committee
and put on men who would continue tc
act as Cannon has on that committee
in the past? 1t is ridiculous.
.'I shall have to know just who the
men are that are going to be named
before / go to the caucus. We don't
want to name insurgents but we de-
mand good men,"
Practically all of the insurgents were
agreed that Representatives DalzeH and
Smith would be allowed to retain their
places on the rules committee. Around
the other four which the Republican
caucus will choose is evidently where
the fight will centre.
Some of the insurgents announced
that they would see President Taft
about 1t as soon as he arrived In
Washington.
Rendy to Renew Fight.
All sides today were in elating mood
hut it was evident that If anyone
showed a disposition to continue the
strife of the past few days there would
be no lack of volunteers to respond to
The call.
The regular Republicans were ready
to go ahead with business Outside OF
what was before the House itself the
pressing matter of Importance with
them was the caucus to be called on
the subject of the new rules commit
tee.
Chairman Currier, of the Republican
caucus, said on this subject: II have
as vet conferred with no one about It,
but within two or three hours we shall
know definitely, l think, about the
caucus
It seemed settled also that the in
surgents'' would enter the Repubii-
can caucus for the selection of the six
members of the majority party OF the
new rules committee insurgents
are not insisting upon representation
although they would not be averse 10
occenting it. Representative Norris,
author of the resolution which over
threw the old rules committee, said
today;
1--WE do not insist upon representa-
tion. All we want is fair committee
of fair men. I have no doubt that
ohe insurgents will enter the Republi-