The Washington herald., 1910-01-08
HOUSE INSURGENTS
WIN FIRST VICTORY
Cannon ShOrn of Power to
Name Probe Committee.
REGULARS SURPRISED
Lower Chamber VIII Elect Bal
linger-PinChOt Investigators.

There was the biggest kind of
doings in the House of Representa-
tives yesterday.
The insurgents of that body, as
sisted by Herbert Parsons, of New
York, who is an insurgent in spots /;
Hamilton Fish, of New York, and
Butler Ames, of Massachusetts,, two
regular Republicans temporarily
alienated from their fellows by
their warm friendship for Clifford
!, Pinchot, and the entire Democratic
strength, with the exception of
Representative Fitzgerald, of New
York, decisively routed Speaker
Cannon and the House machine.
The test vote occurred on an
amendment offered by Representa-
tive Norris. of Nebraska, a con-
hrmed anti-Cannon outlaw, provid-
ing that, instead of being designated
by the Speaker, the six House men,
bers of the joint committee to in
vestigate the Ballinger Pinchot
feud should be elected by the House
itself.
The motion carried, I4o for to
40 against, with five paired mem
bers voting present
All the recognized insurgents,
with the exception of Representa-
tive Steenet son, Of Minnesota, !
voted for the Norris amendment.
All the Democrats voted for it ex-
Cept Fitzgerald.
All the regular Republicans voted
against it except Messrs. Ames, |
Fish. and Herbert Parsons.
INSURGENTS DELIGHTED.
This is the first taste of victory the in
surgents have had since they banded to
gether and decided to fight Cannonism |
and the Cannon rules. It has shown |
them their power, and they are more than
jubrant-
There Was Wild scene Of enthusiasm in |
the chamber when Mr.. Cannon, grim. IN
smiling. never more fully meriting his
title of the Iron Duke of illinois," an
nOunced the vote. The Democrats yelled
and whooped and banged their desks.
The insurgents grinped hands and prom
ised TO stick together forever and ever.
The result was entirely unexpected.
Early in the day Representative John
Dwight, Of New York, the Republican |
whip Of the House, had been warned that
there was a coalition between the inslrr-
gent Republicans and the Democrats that
promised to make trouble, but after con-
sulting with the machine leaders and 60
ing over his lists. confidence was ex-
pressed that while the vote might be
close, it was improbable that The organi-
zation would go down to defeat.
But Just the same. he sent out scouts to
get in the full straight Republican
and all the members loyal to
the organization were warned that they h
-. L.. =.
ALI Regulars Not Present.
All of them weren't. That explains the
victory OF the allied forces Two regl1-
lars came rushing on the floor five min
utes too late to vote Representative |
LOudenslageT, Of New Jersey, was sick
At his home, impaired. and Representative
Moore, Of philadelphia was out of town, t
And other instances might be h
sighted of a triie OF oversight on the q
part of Whip Dwight and his assistants.
The insurgents and their Democratic I.
Allies having had this taste Of power.
his sample Of victory. say that Cannon
sm Is doomed. and that the DAYS of Car
-ule over the body are numbered.
The Democrats are pleased because they y
helped 10 disrupt the Republican party O
n the House and put one over on the a
controlling that body. The !.
Insurgents are Just as much pleased be-
,ause they say they have accomplished
Cmething they long despaired Of being
ble 10 do-steAm-rollered the House or
while at the same time not a
'olng against the grain Of any admins
ration plans or policies
Against CannOnism Only,
president Taft doeart care about :
'annon, as Cannon" they say. :,
"All he wants TO be sure about is that :,
his row in the House doesn't affect the :,
assage of the legislation he has recon- =
lended. Well. he needn't worry about :,
hat Wen be there with the regulars
Jhen the gong rings. But in the mean
lme, on purely House, purely local.
urely organization ruetions, Wen show
annon and his gang a few tricks"
Again, on the other hand, the leaders .,
T the House organization insist that BY :,
heir action the insurgents have disre- :,
Continued on Page 2, Column 3. ;.