Evening journal., 1910-03-18
HOUSE In A
DEADLOCK
continued MON rirst Paga.

ing business after o continuous session
Of eighteen hours
IL was a strange sight and proten-'
tiOus; an extraordinary situation
brought about by o fight over the big
gest stake in Congress.
Speaker Cannon and his band of regu-
lars were making a heroic stand to re-
tain their control OF the rules COM
mittee which meant their grip on the
House. In one battle after another
in the long session the Cannon stand
ards were struck down by the allied
insurgent Republicans and Democrats.
But one resource remained 20 save
the regulars from complete rout and
that lay in the power of the Speaker
TO block proceedings. He closed the
throttle and Il became a test Of en-
durance.
Move to Arrest congressmen.
At o'clock this morning determined
steps were taken 70 arrest congress-
men who had slipped away from the all
night session TO enjoy the comfort of
their homes. This move was under
taken by the insurgent Republicans
and Democrats who had maintained "A
steady control OF the situation and who
sought quorum in the hope that they
might achieve one OF the most revo-
lutionary victories in the histry Of the
House.
Four hours before the Republican
sergeant alarms had been instructed
to arrest absentees, of which there
were over two hundred. He sent out
four deputies with automobiles and as
result OF their efforts a dozen sleepy
representatives reported for duty.
present during the night was exhaust
ed by six o'clock, and Hardwick (Dem-
ocrat Georgia. moved that Joseph Sin.
mott the Democratic assistant sergeant
at arms be instructed to get after the
shirkers. Acting Speaker Dalzell ruled
that the motion was out of order He
was promptly overruled and the mo-
tion adopted. Sinnott then proceeded to
swear in 20 deputies with instructions
TO get results and that the House meant
business. Speaker Cannon refused TO
issue formal warrants for the arrest
Of members, but the deputies got after
them any how.
Pending returns, proceedings were
suspended and the members opened a
story telling session as they gathered
in groups in the chamber.
Nicholas Longworth was one of the
first victims of the raid and was greeted
with round Of laughter when he put
in an appearance.
The continuous session since noon
yesterday was due to an attempt to
destroy the present committee on
rules, through which the Speaker has
maintained absolute control Of legis-
lation. The committee now consists
of FIVE members appointed by the
Speaker having large authority and
is under the complete domination OF
the Speaker.
Ever since the insurgent move start
ed, one OF it's chief objects has been
TO get a committee ON rules elected
by the members. An effort was made
year ago TO bring this about but
failure was the result
Insurgent Norris Republican, Ne
braska) thought yesterday afternoon
that the psychological moment had ar
rived and drawing from his pocket a
creased and frayed paper, which nc
had carried with him since tho OPEN
ing OF the session I'm December, he
asked permission TO introduce "A re-
solution privileged under the constitu-
/ lipl hl tllt AhllNh oAhNNs-
Uncle Joe" for once happened TO
| be Off his guard and the resolution was
read.
CONSERVATION ensued when It was
discovered to be the insurgent- Demo-
cratic scheme TO capture the committee
on rules. The resolution provided that
the committee should consist Of fif-
teen members. The country should be
divided. by a special committee Of three
to be elected by tho House, into nine
zones, tho Republican members in
each Of which should elect a Republi-
can member Of the committee and there
should also be a division OF the coun-
try into six zones the Democratic mem
bers I'm each to elect a Democratic
member of the rules committee The
resolution also provided that the Speak
er should not be eligible TO member
ship on the committee.
Chastened by their defeat Of the day
before, the regulars had no desire to risk
a. vote without first having a count Of
noses and they began to vancouver for
delay. A point Of order was made that
tho Norris resolution was not in order.
on such a point the Speaker has author
ity to give his decision at his pleasure.
IN the risky condition Of affairs It pleased
tho Speaker to take plenty OF time and he
opened the gates wide to debates. Then
for more than eight hours there was a
war Of words, thunderous I'm tone and
Overwhelming in volume.
! Shortly after 10 o'clock this morning an
effort was made to secure a recess of the
House for thirty minutes ip order 10 have
tho chamber swept and the foul air re-
/ freshed. Several consultations were held
with the Speaker, but he held that such