Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-03-26

had elapsed and there was a sigh of
relief when Representative Norris
arose and moved the previous cues
ton on his substitute resolution. The
motion on the previous question was
carried by a vote of 17S to 159. only
one insurgent, Martin of South Da-
kota. voting with the organization
Republicans. This vote foreshadowed
with absolute certainty the defeat
of the House organization on the
resolution itself, which was adopted
a few minutes later by a vote OF 191
to 155. The galleries received the
announcement of the vote with a hum
or excitement while the insurgents
and the Democrats danced around
on the floor in joy at this successful
conclusion Of a fight that has been
running on soradically for more
than a year. The Speaker himself
took the vote like a real fighter, so
far as il was apparent 1t made no
impression upon him. He pounded
away with his gavel in the same old
way and shouted for order in q voice
that had lost none of it's firmness
After the cheers of the allies which
followed the passage of the Norris
resolution had died away Norris with
a smile of triumph on his face raised
his right hand high above his head
and shouted:
Mr.. Speaker, move the House
do now adjourn"
The Speaker paused moment.
rustling several typewriter sheets
in his hands. looked around the
chamber and laid down his gavel.
The Speaker" he said, "begs the
indulgence OF the House for a few
remarks
Instantly the uproar which had
followed the motion 20 adjourn died
away. Every one realized that the
real crisis Of the day had been reach.
ed. A great majority of the members
on the floor believed that the Speak
er intended then and there to pre-
sent his resignation to the body In
the galleries the spectators leaned
forward breathlessly. On the floor
the members sought their seats.
UNCLE JOE ADDRESSES THE
HOUSE.
The Speaker looked out over the
House. adjusted his steel bowed
spectacles and began to read. This
is what he said:
Gentlemen OF the House of Rep.
resentatives: Actions. not words. de
termine the conduct and the sin.
cerity Of men in the affairs OF life.
This is a government by the people.
acting through the representatives
of a majority OF the people. Results
cannot be had except by a majority
and in the House OF Representatives
a majority, being responsible. should
have full power and should exercise
that power; otherwise the majority
is inefficient and does not perform
it's function. The Office Of the minority
is 20 put the majority on it's good
behavior. advocating IN good faith
the policies which 10 processes, ever
ready to take advantage OF the
mistakes of the majority party and
appeal TO the country for it's vindi-
cation.
From time 90 time heretofore the
majority has become the minority,
as i'm the present case. and from time
20 time hereafter the majority will
become the minority. The country
believes that he Republican party
has a majority Of a in the House of
Representative at this time, yet such
Is not the case.
The present Speaker OF the House
has 20 the best Of his ability and
Judgment co-operated with the Re
publican Party, and so far I'm the
history OF this Congress the Repub-
lican Party in the House has been
enabled by a very small majority
when the test came to legislate in
, conformity with the policies and the
platforms of the Republican Party
Such action of course begot-criti
cism-w which the Speaker does not
depreciation the part of the mi
nority Party.
The Speaker cannot be unmindfu
/ of the fact. as evidenced by three
previous elections 20 the SpeakershiI
| that in the past he has enjoyed tn,
confidence of the Republican PARTY
of the country and OF the Republi
can members OF the House, but tn,
| assault upon the Speaker of the
| House by the minority. supplemental
! by the efforts of the so-called insu-
gents. shows that the Democrat,
minority. aided by a number OF so
called insurgents. constituting ID pc
cent. OF the majority party in the
| House. is now i'm the majority and
that the Speaker of the House is no
in harmony with the actual majority
| OF the House. as evidenced by the
vote just taken.
There are two courses open fOl
| the Speaker TO pursue. One is to re
/ sign and permit the new combina
| tion of Democrats and insurgents L
choose a Speaker in harmony Will
its aims and purposes. The other il
for that combination TO declare a va
! cancy in the office of Speaker anC
! proceed TO the election Of a new
! Speaker. After consideration at tht
stage of the session of the House
with much of important Legislation
pending involving the pied ges of tn
| Republican platform and their crys
n 49,