The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-06-19
BY RoDERIcK CLIFFORD.

Washington. June 1S.-Unless the
question before the house is of large
Importance, where party lines are
drawn the debate goes on in a desul-
tory manner, not more than half
dozen members paying any attention
to the proceedings. The speaker from
habit, perhaps, seldom calls the men,
bers
The other day bill of local char
acter was under discussion, and two
members. who were interested, carried
on the debate in conventional man.
ner, speaking in an ordinary tone.
The official stenographer, notebook in
hand, stood next to the speaker in Or
der to report their conversation. Just
what the members were saying no one
outside OF the reporters could tell. but
the bill was passed while the major
ity of the members were in ignorance
OF the contents of the measure. Such
cof scene could not be witnessed in the
senate
II the house rules were lived up to
the letter many important items would
be left out Of the appropriation bills,
1t would be necessary to pass separ-
ate measures. 1t is because the rules
are not always enforced that the coun-
try has witnessed the several revolu-
tions against the house organization.
The rules prohibit much general
legislation on appropriation bills, but
IN nearly every budget there are sew
eral such items which are subject to
point Of order, and If the point is
made the item goes out of the bill
unless the member in charge of the
measure can induce the maker OF the
point of order to withdraw it. This
frequently happens. But IL an amend
ment is offered that is obnoxious to
the rules. and some one makes the
fatal point of order. the amendment,
although favored by a majority of the
members, is not entertained. How
ever, an appeal may be taken from
the decision of the chair. and thus in
an indirect way get vote on the pro-
position.
Practice Causes Trouble.
Representative Underwood of Ala
bama, says 1t is just such practices
that bring about revolutions against
the rules. For instance he said, a.
bill may be introduced and referred
to committee. The committee may
be opposed to the bill, while the real
majority OF the house favor it. but
under the present rules there is no
method by which it can be brought
before the house, unless a special or
der IL reported from the rules COM
mittee and there Is no way to make
the committee act. Hence, the only
way open is offering the bill as am
endment to an appropriation bill.
1t Is the eight-hour bill Mr.. Under
wood had in mind. This measure has
been before the house labor commit
tee since last December. and there it
promises to remain in until adjourn
ment. When the Sundry civil appro-
preparation bill was under consider
alton in the house Representative
Kendall, OF Iowa. offered an amend
ment to apply the eight-hour law to
: all government contracts for public
works, but 1t was ruled out of a point
. OF order. While the chair was merely
upholding the rules, the advocates of
the eighthour law took occasion to ex-
press their feeling by speaking from
the decision in order to emphasize
their position. The decision of the
chair was upheld because many men,
persoers were not willing to violate
the rules.
Unless the rules are further amend
err said Representative Underwood,
so as to permit the real majority of
the House to consider such measures
as they desire, that is, by having the
power to discharge committee from
further consideration of bill, rev.
olution against the rules will continue.
CANNok'S MEMORY.
Among the things for which Speaker
Cannon is notable is his remarkable
memory for names and faces: and yet
there are some few members of the
House whose names and faces he does
not know. Perhaps this is due to the
fact that these members neglect to
call on Uncle Joe" in the Speakers
room and talk with him.
Although, as stated, MIR. Cannon
knows personally almost the entire
membership of the House, he occas-
ionally makes mistakes, and has the
laugh put on him. Now, the Speaker.
like most humankind. has his likes and
dislikes and he makes no effort to
conceal this fact. His opinion of the
insurgent Republicans is pretty we'll
known, but there are a few of them
with whom he is on friendly terms,