The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-20
nx warTERsoN sTEALEY

By WATTERSON STEALEf
 Washington, March 19.-tSpecial.)- The republican leadership of the House went down in defeat today. It's com- mittee on rules, dominated by the speaker, has been wiped out or ex- istence. The House will elect it's com mittee on rules and the speaker Will not be a member of 1t. These are the parliamentary features. Beneath them and more important is the great vic tory won against Cannonism-a vic tory gained by repeated and continued agitation on the part of the democrats of the United States, resulting finally in driving to democratic principles sufficient number of republican con- eressrnen unable to withstand the sen timen In their home districts. No one should be deceived as to the attitude or the republican party in the upheaval in the House today. It went down to defeat fighting for Canonism to the last ditch. The woes illustrate it so plainly that that party will be laugh ed off the stump if it raises the shallow pretense of eliminating Cannonism' in
 
 example, on one of the test votes, typical of them all there Is this di- vision:
 For Cannonism. 164 republican votes.
 Against Cannonism, 146 democratic voets.
 Against Cannonlsm. s5 republican votes.
 Total. 3e5
 Majority against Cannonism IT, the democratic party, in other words, fur nishing over three-f fourths of the votes for the proposition. while five-sixths of the republicans of the House voted to allow the speaker to run the House in manner that has brought forth countrywide criticism of nature that has forced the House to reform itself. The vote of the republican party in the House today-that Is, of a great majority of the republicans-was d. rect indorsement of Cannonism and cannot be met on the stump this fall by the cry that the republicans them- selves have eliminated CannonIsm."
 Spirit of Republicanism
 What the republican party would do if again given control of the House is plainly evidenced by today's votes. If 1t has a sufficient majority it would again forced upon the House the same tyrannical conditions that have here tofore existed.
 A great demonstration of enthusiasm on the part of the democrats and 1nsurgent republicans followed the an- nouncement of the first test vote. The galleries, which were crowded to the limit. Joined in the demonstration. The situation was tense and dramatic. Ey- anywhere 1t was felt that the history of the days proceedings would 20 down In the future as one of the most sensational in the legislative history of the country.
 It is impossible to exaggerate tbe ex citement which has reigned in the Housc today. The galleries were early. crowded 10 their limits. One of the arrivals was Ambassador Bryce of Great Britain. and many other distinguished personages looked down on a scene that is bound 70 be memorable.
 When noon arrived nearly the entire membership had assembled. Few seats were vacant. The morning had been spent In truitless conferences between reg ulars and insurgents. All knew that q nght to tho finish was impending.
 Members sat in their seats through the routine proceedings with faces pale and drawn. Many showed visible evidences of the intense strain under which they were laboring.
 Cannon Is Cheered
 Speaker Cannon was wildly cheered by his followers when he arrived. He looked erimiy determined, and, despite his age, H. seemed as if the fierce struggle of the last few days had made little impression on him. After the demonstration for the speaker had subsided, prayer was of- fered by the blind chaplain of the House, MT Couden He prayed to unite us to- gether In bonds of love and peace" The journal and record were corrected. IL was long and painful process. Prac- tically every member of the House was in his seat at 12 o'clock. The efforts of the democrats and republicans alike to get the absent members back to Washing ton had been successful. Among the prominent republicans who come in on morning trains for the purpose of helping the speaker were four members of the Illinois delegation--Moxley, Madden. Bou- tell and Mckinley. Jim Watson of In- diana, formerly whip of the House. and one of the best organizers who ever came to the House, was at the capitol today endeavoring to round up votes for the \ speaker.
 z Speaker Cannon was given tremendous