The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-18
FLAG OF TRUCE.
The National House Takes a
Short Recess
After Being in Session Over "A
Hours.
WAS FIGHT FOR LIFE.
Speaker Cannon and the Reg
ulars of the House
Battled All Night for Existence
of the Organization.
UNEXPECTED ATTACK
By the Insurgents and Demo-
erats Precipitates a Contest
Seldom if Ever Equaled in the
Halls of Congress.

washington. March 1S.-At 2 D. m.
a motion by Representative Martin
Is. ID, a regular, that the house re-
cess until p. m, was carried, 161 to
ISL. Indescribable confusion and
deafening cheers greeted the result OF
this the fourth test of strength.
The recess was ordered after the
most important conference yet held on
the unprecedented turmoil ended
without tangible result. The compro-
mise which had been in prospect for
three hours had failed. At the meet
ing was debated the question of COM
promise, which had been submitted by
the insurgents to the regulars in the
nature of an ultimatum. Their propo-
sition was to the effect that the house
proceed to elect a house rules commit
tee. either ten or fifteen members. on
which all factions were to have repre-
sentatives, each side to elect its own
committeeman. The speaker was to
be denied a place thereon.
The first conference occurred be-
tween Messrs. Gardner. Hayes, Norris
ard Lenroot for the insurgents. and
Representatives Champ Clark and I'm
derwood for the Democrats. It was
agreed by them that the proposition
was satisfactory. Immediately after
ward followed a lengthy conference
between the insurgent leaders and
Representatives Dalzell and Smith of
Smith and Dalzell declined to accede
to the proposition submitted, but
wished to confer further with the lead
ers before finally refusing.
End Not in Sight.
One of the insurgent conferees stated
that the end was not Immediately in
sight. There was no prospect whatever
of either an adjournment or a recess,
he said.
From the Democratic side came the
positive declaration that the regulars
were defeated and it was merely
question now of how and when.
From the leader who made this
statement it was learned the insurgents
were disposed to dictate the terms, but
were willing TO allow the regulars an
easy way out, if they choose to take it.
1t was claimed that a certain Majority
was in sight for the Norris resolution,
whenever the speaker rules, if he does
rule.
From one of the most intimate
friends of the speaker came the sor,le-
what startlinS statement that if the
Norris resolution was passed Speaker
Cannon would resign and that regulars
would vote with the Democrats for the
election Of Champ Clark as speaker,
rather than side with the insurgents
for the selection of one of their num-
ber. This startling statement was de-
MED by other friends of the speaker
Every hour added to the great weari-
ness of the members who had been in
the thick of the combat for "a consec1-
tive hours. Detection was written on
the faces of many of the regular Re
publican leaders and it Nas plain they
believed they were in hopeless and
permanent minority in the house and
at the best were only prolonging in
evitable dethronement.
Representative DalzelI was frequently
besieged by Republican members to al
low vote on recess, but he declined
to so long as the negotiations were
continuing with the insurgents as to a
possible compromise.
Positive of Victory.
The Democrats and insurgents were
positive they could prevent either an
members of the tri-party conference
returned to the floor numerous side
conferences followed but it was appar-
ent no basis of agreement was near ct
hand
The hurry calls sent out by the Re
publican and Democratic whips result
cd in a good many additions to the at
tendance in the house today. Seventeen
members showed up in response. ten
regulars. one insurgent and six Demo
Gratis. The Republicans were Mccall,
Mass; Simmons of New York; NJ E.
Driscoll of New York: Moon, Pa;
Tener of Pa: Campbell, Kan: DENLY,
Mich: Nye, MINI; Burke, Pa, and
Foelke-, N. Y.
The :nsurgent or rather near-insur-
gent was Representative Parsons, New
York.
Rhinock KY. Alexander. Mo-. Tai
bert, Md. Bohcn. Ind. Hobson, Ala.
and Pou, N. c.. were the Democrats.
Nine insurgents voted with the regu-
lars on the motion to recess in order to
get time to consider the compromise
upon which all factions had been
working.
Both the Democrats and insurgents
denied that the vote Indicated any loss
of strength whatever on the main
proposition at issue.
representative Champ Clark said:
This little recess means nothing.
The fight is still on, and when the final
vote is taken 1t will show that the
other side of the house is licked"
Representative Underwood said that
the Democrats voted against a recess
because they considered that the fight
was won and no compromise was nee
essary and no conference on any sub
ject required. Even the regulars did
not claim a victory.
In1Tn ediately after the recess was ta-
ken the insurgents convened in Repre-
sentative Gardner's room for a further
consideration of the proposition fo-
compromise. The insurgents who voted
With the regulars for recess were Rep
resentatives Kendall. Pickett and
Moods Ia ECinkaid NAb.. Miller and