The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-06
tspeeial to TheTImes-pispatch.l

lSpeclal to
Washington. December Sit is easy
to see that the Democratic members
who have come to Washington to at.
tend the short session OF Congress
are in their Sunday clothes" They
are proceeding cautiously in order
not to lose the advantage they have
gained.
This Is more noticeable in the House
than the Senate, because 1t Is the
former body that is being called upon
to settle the dangerous rules ques.
ton. one which, in fact, may be the
cause of the Democrats losing control
of the House, unless the utmos diplo-
macy is used. With the Senate 1t is
different. There are no complicated
situations there to be carefully avoid
ed. such as that just mentioned In the
House.
Members of the latter body who be-
lieve that their present high rank on
the various committees may be en-
dangered If there is a committee on
committees are working with might and
main to have the Speaker retain HIS
power. But this is the situation that
confronts them; the present House
was elected, to a large extent. on the
question of "~Cannonism." Condemns
ton of "Cannonism' and present exist.
ing rules will take Speaker Cannon
from the chair in December, 1911. II
the Democrats forget that such an IS.
fsue existed then. just as certain as
the sun shines. according to we'll
posted politicians, Mr.. Clark will meet
his fate and again the House will be
under Republican control.
Here is the Democratic national Plat
form OF 1908, regarding the question.
of reform in the House:
arbitrary Power of Speaker-The
House OF Representatives was designs
cd by the fathers of the Constitution
to be the popular branch of our soy-
eminent. responsive to the public will
The House of Representatives, as
controlled in recent years by the
Republican party, has ceased to be a
deliberative and legislative body. re-
sponsive to the Will OF the majority
of its members. but has come under
the absolute domination Of the Speak
er, Who has entire control of its DELHI
eratlons and powers of legislation.
We have observed with amazement
the popular branch of our lrederaf
government helpless to obtain either
the consideration or enactment OF
measures desired by a majority Of Its
members.
Legislative government becomes a
failure When one member, in the per-
son of the Speaker, is more powerful
than the entire body.
I'VE demand the the House Of Rep
resentatiyes shall again become a de-
Lucrative body, controlled by a ma
1ortty .of the peoples representatives
and not by tho Speaker, ana we pledge,
ourselves to adopt such rules and
to govern the,House OF
Representatives as will enable a ma
jorlty of its members to direct its de-
alterations and control leEislation."
Tho essence is In tho concluding
words: I'VE pledge ourselves to adopt
such rules and regulations as Will en-
able a majority of Its members to dr.
rect deliberations and control legisla-
ton"
Just how those Democrats who con-
tinue to advocate the policy of having
the Speaker name the eo1nmftteesswi
fare hereafter remains to.-a:bes seen,
One thing is certain, The 1PrSlles',
question ,is a dangerous proposition.
and viii beeome more troublesome the
longer 1T Nemalns Ansattled. 1T goes
10 the very foundation of Democratic
7Success hereafter whatever may be
the result q iindiiyidual members ot