The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-18

Representative Gardner of Michi-
gan characterized the speaker as the
wisest man in public or private life.
Mr. Madison of Kansas said favor
able action on the resolution. would
result in Republican victory at the
polls, because the country would then
know that Republican government
had been restored in the house.
Talks Amid Turmoil.
Representative Reeder Republican
Of Kansas spoke amid disorder With
the aisle5 packed with Democrats who
interjected irrelevant and irreverent re-
marks he denounced the insurgents
These proceedings are absolutely I'M
fair he cried. Unfair to the people
of this nation. A small number of the
majority here by combining with the
minority, assert themselves and de-
clare that they will rule or ruin the
majority.
Il am inclined to Think began Mr..
Reeder again.
why don't your yelled Democrats
amid an uproar of applause. Mr.. Reed
or finished his speech amid turnult
Mr.. Cooper of Wisconsin, one of the
leaders of the Republican insurgents,
WAS recognized after Representative
Olmstead. in the chair. had succeeded
ceeded with a defense of the course of
the insurgents and a scathinE denunci-
alton of the regulars.
1.-The rules of this house give to the
Sp-dh0E UlOT9 power imam is accorded
the presiding officer of any other leg
islative body on earth,' said Mr.. Coop
er. He has the right to appoint all
the committees of the house, to name
the chairmen of those committees,
while he himself preSideS over the most
important committee-that on rules
and on this floor, he has the sole and
supreme right of recognition of men,
bers.
ST refuse to deal in personalities to
Hon Dor
TT is apparent we can do nothing
until the speaker rules on the point of
order which is pending. The house
cannot compel him to rule. We are
keeping our members here and the vic
tory tonight would rest with the side
best able to hold its men for a vote.
But in any event it is evident that q
ma jority of the house favors amending
the rules and we can bring it up again
tomorrow or any other day.
This fight against time is in the
hands of the speaker and he alone
can stop it. 1t is certainly a most re-
situation where a minority
of the house led by the speaker him
self maintains f1libuster like this
Cannon Takes the Floor.
An extraordinary scene occurred
when Mr.. Cooper, reciting individual
instances in which he declared mem
bers of the house had been punished
by the speaker by being refused i'm
portant committee assignments call
ed by name upon one after another
of his colleagues to testify as to the
they had received at the
hands of the speaker. Mr.. Cannon
had left the chair and stood on the
raised dais at the clerks desk observ-
ing the Wisconsin member with Sc
riouS face. Interrupting at last, Mr..
Cannon asked if Mr.. Gardner of Mas
sachusettS was in the house and the
ranroSanfafiU0
ing the speaker asked him to tell the
house how he had ceased to be chair
man of the committee on industrial
arts and expositions.
Mr.. Gardner said he had gone off
that committee voluntarily in order to
avoid embarrassment in his course as
an insurgent.
Mr.. Cannon then explained why he
their committee places. Fowler of
New Jersey, he said, as chairman of
the banking and currency committee,
had refused 20 report the emergency
bill after the Republican
caucus twice had declared in favor of
hat Legislation. Murdoch of Kansas.
Norris of Nebraska, and Cooper of
he said, had refused to at
end and abi1e by the will of the Re-
publican caucus.
and" said Mr.. Cannon, "this being
L government bv party the speaker
made the appointment as he conceived |
t to be his duty In respect to the trust |
exposed in hin by his party
Speaker Cannon resumed the chair |
lfter Mr.. Cooper had concluded. The |
speaker said he ought to rule on the |
point of order only after due consid- |
eration of precedents.
Minority Not Majority
Minority Leader Clark at one time
-eminded the speaker that he had once
% id that the house could do anything
t pleased, even to the election of a |
ew speaker. THE speaker has said |
IN elephant could be put through the |
house f the house so desired" shouted |
Mr.. Clark
1.-The speaker" retorted Mr.. Cannon, |
who until now had watched the pro- |
.edings in grim silence. would be pre- |
jSred to rule on that question when |
ever any gentleman thinks that the mi |
lority has become the majority. But |
hat presents an entirely different ques- |
ion from the ore now before U.S."