The San Francisco call., 1910-03-20

fession of weakness or mistake or
an apology for past actions.
The speaker is not conscious of
having done any political wrong.
The same rules are in force in this
house that have been in force for
two decades. The speaker has
construed the rules as he found
them and as they have been con-
strued by previous speakers, from
Thomas B. Reeds incumbency down
to the present time.
Heretofore the speaker has been
member of the committee on rules
covering a period of 60 years, and
the present speaker neither has
sought new power nor has he un-
justly used that already conferred
upon him.
TALK OF CZARISM
There has been much talk on the
part of the minority and of the
insurgents of the ''czarism of the
speaker eliminating in the action
taken today.
The real truth is that there is no
coherent republican majority in the
house of representatives. There
fore, the real majority ought to
have the courage of its convictions
and logically meet the situation
that confronts il.
The speaker does now believe
is a government through parties.
and that parties can act only
through majorities.
The speaker has always believed
in and bowed to the will of the
majority in congress, in caucus and
in legislative hall, and today pro-
foundly believes that to act other
wise is to disorganize parties; is
to prevent coherent action in any
legislation: is to make impossible
the reelection Of the wishes of the
people in statutes and-in laws.
BOWS TO MAJORITY
The speaker has always held that
under the constitution it is ques-
tion of highest privilege for an
actual majority of the house at
any time to choose new speaker.
and again notifies the house that
the speaker will at this moment.
or at any other time, while he
remains speaker. entertain in con-
formity with the highest constitu
tional privilege motion by any
member to vacate the office of the
speakership and choose a new
speaker, and under existing condi-
tions would welcome such action,
of the house, so that power and
responsibility may rest with the
democratic and insurgent members,
who. by the last vote, evidently
constitute a majority of this house.
The chair is now ready to entertain
such motion.
Quiet attention characterized tn
great assemblage until the speake
aid, in clear tones:
THE speaker is not conscious OF hav
ng done any political wrong.
These words proved to be a signal fo
prolonged demonstration. When
declared there was no coherent repuh
lean party in the house, there was
enewal of cheers. Finally, when tn
peaker expressed his readiness to b
by new speaker, thSr
vas tremendous demonstration on IN
epublican side.
Sherley of Kentucky hurried to. tn
ide of Underwood of Alabama and hel
n excited conversation, while Burleso
# Texas arose, waving a paper and at
empting to be recognized Rushin
'efore the, speakers desk. Sherley. i
houts that could have been hear
the capitol building. had nc
onfusion drowned them, moved 10 ad
ourn.
'HOUTS OF DERISION
''Oh, no! oh. nor came shouts of de
ision from the republican side.
The gentleman from Texas has bee
ecognized,' Nshouted Tawney.
The speaker demanding order, sal
precedence of the motion to adjourn
Jpon the suggestion of the speake
surleson read his resolution.
The Burleson resolution demande
hat the office of speaker be declare
acant and that the house immediatel
'roceed to the election of a ney
peaker.
Quickly the democrats turned fror