The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-03-19

of the house. There was long
Wrangle and finally Representative
Hardwick, Democrat, of Georgia,
moved the appointment of temporary
assistant sergeant-ata-rms with author
lty to employ additional assistance to
bring in the missing representatives.
| The chair ruled the motion out of
order, but on appeal was overruled
with a shout. The same procedure
was gone through with upon a motion
that the newly appointed officers be
equipped with new warrants. The
new officers went out to look for the
missing Republicans.
The affair took on a somewhat diff
ferent aspect, however, when Speaker
Cannon himself came on the scene.
This was about 6 a. m.
Mr.. Burleson, of Texas, demanded of
the speaker whether the latter had
signed the new warrants las ordered
by this house"
Uncle Joes" voice quivered with
suppressed rage as he replied with a
bang of the gavel, THE chair declines
to be catechised by the gentleman
from Texas"
This defiance by the speaker struck
sparks all over the room. Mr.. Burle-
sons face was red, and his voice
shook with passion as he said: with
all respect to the speaker of this
house, am I to understand that the
speaker declines to obey the mandate
of this house? Have not these war
rants been issued!'
Warrants were issued shouted the
speaker, under the rules, for sum-
moning of each of the absentees."
Il mean the warrants ordered by
this house to be given to Joe Sinnott,
who was appointed by this house a
special assistant sergeant-at-arms,"
persisted Mr.. Burleson.
The chair has no knowledge Of any
Joe Sinnott, whoever he may be- re-
torted the speaker with scornful de-
liberation.
Il submit the speaker is as much
bound shouted the Texan, ito carry
out the will of this house when there
is not a quorum, as when there is
quorum"
Then followed lively interchange,
participated in by Messrs. Underwood
of Alabama Olmsted of Pennsylvania,
James of Kentucky, and the speaker,
the latter evidently suppressing his
emotions with much difficulty.
The end of it was that the speaker
refused to recognize the authority of
less than quorum to issue any war
rants for anybody.
THE CHAIR RULES.
LESS than a quorum has no powers
in this respect except those conferred
upon it by the rules. Such a warrant
as that requested"-the speaker care
fully emphasized the word requested"
by the gentleman from Texas and
the members of less than a quorum
would be null and void, and would be
no protection to Mr.. Joe Sinnott-Who-
ever he may be.
The speaker will hesitate a long
time before performing a ministerial
duty under the rules otherwise than
prescribed by the rules"
The speaker then modified his ag-
gressive tone and continued, remark
ing that the long night vigil had evil
IDENTIFY led certain members to be
somewhat careless in the use of lam
guage and cast suspicion upon faithful
employees.
81 have never known a quorum to
be obtained in the early morning
hours or before day break" he said.
BY this time the heat noticeably
cooled; there was some desultory argu-
ment, but everybody seemed to lose
interest thereafter in the new assist
ant sergeant-at-arms and his unsigned
warrants.
The hands of the big round clock in
the back of the hall indicated a. m.
when the roll call was concluded.
1t was evident to the most casual
observer that the Olmstead motion had
been lost. The speaker stated that
the motion had been defeated "a to SO,
with 20 present but not voting.
A weary yawn from the Democratic
side of the house and audible through
out the chamber, constituted the most
animated demonstration that greeted
the announcement.
At this hour Uncle Joe" was still
at the helm. He appeared slightly
worried but the carnation which had
graced his lapel yesterday was still
fresh and his voice was not the least
bit husky.
Mr.. Mann raised the point of no
quorum, but apparently the speaker
was not certain of the footing of even
so close a friend as the Chicago mem
Der, whose hair had not been combed
for twenty-four hours. Accordingly,
Mr. Cannon refused to entertain the
point.
The speaker then stated that no
business could be transacted so long as
there was not a sufficient number to
meet the requirements of parliament
tary practice. Immediately the house
thinned out, probably not fifty remain
ing in their seats and some of those
asleep. The speaker held his post,
idly toying with is gavel with the
same fondness often manifested by an
Did hunter towards gun with which
ne has brought down much game.
Several of his Democratic friends took
advantage of the opportunity with a
chat with him jovially.
A REIGN OF ANARCHY.
In a fiery speech, Representative
Shackleford, of Missouri, declared that
by Indicating his throne the speaker
had instituted reign of anarchy in
the house and that the speaker had
privately instructed the sergeant-at-
arms not to arrest absentees because
he was unable to command majority
vote.
Just previously the members had
been singing There VIII be Hot
Time in the Old Town Tonight" Mr..
Shackleford attacked the sergeant-at-
arms for alleged failure to arrest alb
sentees. While he was speaking, Mr..
PAYNE shouted at him.