The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-22
FIGHT FOR A CAUSE
CONTINUED From Page One.)


air of calmness and amity that, to the
observers of events last week, was al
most unbelievable. Peace appeared
near, notwithstanding that less than
ten days distant is the selection of a
new rules committee with all it's en-
barrassing complications.
Many elements contributed to the
days calm The democrats, satisfied
with the situation as it left them after
the four days of fierce strife, were con-
tent to let matters drift for awhile.
The regular republicans, realizing
from the violent outbursts in the press
from various insurgents over the Sat-
urday night speech of Speaker Can
non, when he called them "cowardly
members that party harmony was to
be gained only by the most diplomatic
tender of the olive branch, were most
adroit in their relations with their in
surgent brethren.
These insurgents who voted to GUST
Speaker Cannon from the speakership
were eminently satisfied today, and,
like the democrats, let things drift
In Wrathful Frame of Mind.
The score or so of insurgents who
voted for the retention of the speaker
in the chair only to be rewarded with
whitening blast from the speaker,
supplied the only discordant note.
They reached the capitol in a decidedly
wrathful frame of mind.
Several of them, like Representatives
Norris of Nebraska. Madison of Kan
sas, Hayes of California and two or
three others, gave their views fully
to the press, sparing no words in
voicing their Indignation at the situa-
ton. Two or three of them talked
N 4
Their fight on the rules of the house,
upon Speaker Cannon, on the regulars
/ in the selection of the new rules COM
mittee. But Notwithstanding their
loud cries of renewed rebellion, they
were met on all sides by smiles and
conciliatory words from the regulars.
Cannon Quiets Down.
Not the least influence in producing a
general air of forgiveness was the
word that came indirectly from the
room of Speaker Cannon to the effect
that the speaker had moderated in his
attitude toward the men he had de-
nounced Saturday night and there was
almost a certainty that the speaker
had been misquoted in his remarks"
or something of that kind.
One of the strongest evidences OF
the days tendency toward peace was
the nomination of majority leader
Payne for a place on the new rules
committee by Representative Norris
the leader of the insurgents, and au-
thor of the resolution that precipitated
the recent war.
Representative Norris said as Min
GRITTY Leader Clark was to be a men,
Der of the committee he believed Mr..
Payne also should be on the commit
tee.
Half the house appeared to find
! L
and the bitterness and rancOr of the
last few days appeared gradually to
dissipate. Whether it has in it greater
significance than a mere incident of one
legislative day. cannot be foretOld.
The republican caucus on the selec-
ton of the new rules committee it was
announced by Representative Curr1er,
would not be held before the latter
part Of the week, probably Saturday
night.
Insurgents 20 Attend.
Nearly ali tie Insurgents, both those
who voted for and against the speak
err last Saturday, announced they ill
tend to enter the caucus. Representa-
tive Hayes and one or two others early
in the day declared they would not,
under any circumstances, enter the
caucus unless they had assurances as
mittee would be and they would be
satisfactory to the insurgents.
Many regular republicans volunteer
ed the opinion that the insurgents
should be represented on the rules
committee. A few but only a few.
asserted that they should not have
representation. Leaders of the insur-
gents said they would hold no meeting
=, ing before the republican caucus.
The democrats. through Minority
| Leader Champ Clark, acting for their
caucus chairman, Representative Clay
| ton of Alabama, who is absent. called
their caucus for Wednesday night
| Three of their selections are sure to
be Champ Clark of Missouri, Fitzger-
aid of New York and Underwood of
Alabama. Nothing but unanimity of
sentiment is expected in the democra
| tic caucus.
| Some of the committee began work
again today and by tomorrow it was
expected the grind of legislation, In
| Guiding measures of President Taft,
again will be in full swing.
Norris Statement.
In his statement concerning his vote
| to retain Cannon in the speakers chair
| Representative Norris said:
Il voted against the Burleson reso
| luton to declare the speakers chair
| vacant" said Mr.. Norris, because it
was a fight for principle and not one
of personalities. / did not wish to see
the house precipitated into chaos and
disorder from which it probably would
not emerge for weeks, to the detriment
of important pending legislation.
Our victory already had been won
when we deprived the speaker of his
most powerful weapon-the appoint
ment of the rules committee. / had
only a moment to think it over and I
decided it was better to place party
welfare above personal revenge.
Il voted for Cannon for speaker at
the beginning of the present congress,
not because l was for him. He had
insulted and Inundated me and he had
taken me from all important commit
tees. We had not spoken for two
years. But L voted for him regard
less of these facts, because I did not
want him to have opportunity in flu
ture to discriminate against me and