The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-23
HE MUST GO
Insurgent Republicans and Democrats AT.
tack Old Man Joe.
COMBINE AGAINST HIM

Democratic Members in the House
Join in a Fight on Speaker Can
non to Curb Ills Glowing Power
Over the Members.
They had a hot time in the House
of Representatives at Washington on
Thursday. Encouraged by their re-
peated victories owe the speaker and
the regular Republicans of the house,
the insurgents" started an agrees
sive movement for a change in the
rules of the house for the purpose
Of eliminating Speaker Cannon from
the committee on rules and curtail-
ing his power in legislative matters.
Without a word of warning that
so radical a proposition would be
brought up with the apparent sup
port of a majority of the member
ship of the house, Representative
Norris late in the afternoon obtained
the hoor and offered q resolution
for a change in the rule of the
house.
Mr.. Norris insisted that the Ian
guage of the constitution gave his
measure the same privilege that
Speaker Cannon had claimed for a
resolution relating to the taking Of
the census. He asked that this res
olution be placed before the house
at once. .
On both the Republican and Dem
ocratic sides nearly every member
was in ais place and all realized that
at last the "~insurgents" were lock-
ing horns with the regular Republi-
cans for what might prove to be a
death struggle. On both sides of
the house the "whips," realizing the
necessity of obtaining their full vot-
ing strength, put in motion all their
resources for the summoning of abb
sent members. kilograms were sent
to those absent on leave and had
left the city. Taxicabs were ordered
to make trips to he hotels and :es-
licences of the few members known
to be in Washington who were not
on hand.
The news of the impending strug-
gle soon spread about the city and
the galleries that had been but half
filled became. crowded.
Mr.. Norris, whose seat is on the
Democratic side Of the chamber, ap-
pealed to the speaker for a ruling
in favor of the immediate considera.
ton of his resolution. He insisted
that the time had come for action by
the house so that it might take mat
tiers affecting legislation into their
own hands.
The attitude of the Democrats to-
ward the movement 50 suddenly put
under way vas made evident by the
prompt endorsement of Mr.. Norris
contentious by Mr.. Underwood and
by Champ Clark, minority leader.
Mr.. Underwood insisted that the
language of the constitution made
the Nebraskan's resolution a matter
of the highest import. Minority
Leader Clarke reminded the speaker
that he had once said that the house
could do anything it pleased, even
to the election of a new speaker.
1.-The speaker has said that an
election could be put through the
house if the house so desired" shout
ed Mr.. Clark.
1.-THE speaker" said Mr.. Cannon,
who had until now watched the pro-
ceedings in grim silence, would be
prepared to rule on the question
when any gentleman thinks that the
minority has become the majority.
But that presents an entirely differ
ent question from the n now be-
fore u.s."
eff we can change the speaker
shouted Mr.. Clark, "why can't we
change the rules?"
Deafening applause on the DEM
ocratic side was evoked by this re-
mark.
Mr.. Clark opposing any suggestion
that the resolution be referred 10
the committee on rules, declaring
that that committee, consisting of
three Republicans, including the
speaker, and two Democrats, could
not be trusted with a measure cur
failing its own powers.
The Republican majority Of one
on that committee was as great as
their majority in the house, "and,"
he added, amid laughter, more re-
liable"
"If you want to change the rules"
shouted Mr.. Clark, looking over the
house, "now is the accepted time"
When the applause had subsidized
Majority Leader Payne made a strong
and feeling plea for regularity"
1--WE can not have the RESPONSE
bility of the majority of this house
said Mr.. Payne, "unless we can eX-
ercise it under the rules of the house
The men on that SIDE" he continued
waving his hand toward the Demo,
Gratis, "come today to break down
the rule"
is the Democratic party going tc
make it's usual blunder?" he asked
MN-am nt Thu ~nritinal Tina nith or