Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-22

nOyance 10 the minority. UHueI any
system of fixed rules applying to all
alike in all circumstances, it is possible
for respectable minority to exercise
influence in proportion to brains and
capacity. But where rules may be
made on short notice To fit special oc-
casions. it is evident that the commit
tee would have everything pretty much
in its own hands.
So the insurgents" unable to make
themselves felt otherwise. finally de-
termined to attack the speakers con-
troll of the committee on rules. This
looked so much like an attack upon
the speaker himself and was so mucn
to the liking Of the Democrats, that
they naturally gave their assistance to
the insurgents.
Although the thing had been brew
ing for months, the fight did not final
" come to an issue until last Thursday.
when Representative Norris. a Repub-
lican insurgent from Nebraska; intro
duced a resolution providing that the
committee on rules be increased from
five to ten members. to include four
Democrats and six Republicans, elected
from the floor ana that the speaker
should not be eligible To membership.
The introduction of this resolution was
in no sense a surprise; but it came at
a time when a great many members
were absent from the house, and the
speaker knew that If he should put it
to vote. it would carry, because the
insurgents and Democrats were I'm the
majority.
Then came the tug of war; A point
of order was promptly made against
the resolution. A point of order is al
ways debatable, and there is no
limit to the length of time during
which it might be debated. AS to
when he shall rule, is in the discre-
ton of the speaker. The speaker knew
full well that If he should rule the
resolution out of order, the house
would overrule him, and pass it at once.
Therefore. his cue was to withhold his
ruling until he could get a majority or
some kind of compromise could be
reached.
On the first drawing of the lines on
the resolution, there was lot OF hot
talk from both sides. Tne situation
became very tense. Mr.. Cannon took
the floor in his own behalf, and lead
the regulars with ability, using his
splendid knowledge of parliamentary
law with good effect There were a
number of efforts to secure an adjourn
ment: but all of these were without
effect. Warrants were issued for alb
sent members, and some were brought
in. A Democrat, however, charged
that the speaker had instructed the
sergeant-at-arms to be more particular
about bringing in regular Republicans
than insurgents or Democrats. Mem
bers of the senate came over to watch
the fight and the galleries were crowd
ed with thousands of WaShingtonians
and visitors, who were attracted by
the unusual SlludllOH.
After holding his ground from Thurs
day to Saturday at noon, and seeing
that he could hold out no longer,
Speaker Cannon ruled that the Norris
resolution was not privileged. Nor
ris promptly appealed to the house.
and the appeal was sustained 1872 to
16O, after which the resolution war
adopted, 191 to 155.
OF course, the Democrats were heart
lily in the fight from the beginning, be-
cause OF the promise it gave of cur
failing the speakers power; but also
the insurgents had held out quasi
promise that if the speaker was finally
defeated on the rule proposition, they
would give their assistance in depOsing
Mr.. Cannon and electing Champ Clarke
in mis- stead This was something well
worth while: but so soon as the rule
fight was won. the insurgents, more or
less alarmed at what they had done
began to forget their new found friends
and the talk about deposing the speak
er was less pronounced.
After the passage of the resolution
providing for the change of the rules.
Speaker Cannon made a brief talk in
which he gave the house to understand,
that he certainly would not resign; but
defiantly challenged his enemies to de-
feat him if they could. He very well un-
derstOod how this would mean that the
thirty or more insurgents would have
to go lock, stock and barrel over to the
Democrats, and how, if the Republicans
should give tine Democrats control of
the house, those Republicans so voting
would be promptly kicked out of their
party by their constituents at home.
But the. Democrats accepted the
challenge Representative Burleson,
Democrat of Texas, introduced a reso-
luton, declaring the speakership va
cant. and proposing to go into an cleo
ton for a new speaker Many Demo-
Gratis tried to get Mr. Burleson to with
draw the resolution: but he refused,
and when it was put to the house, it
was lost by the same vote by which the
rules resolutions had been carried, 191
to 1856. But it was not the same peo-
pie who voted in the other case. The
Democrats were solid for the propo-
sition. and only nine insurgents voted
with them.
Some of the aiding Democrats are
doubtful as tC whether there will be
any substantial benefits to their party
as the result of the battle, while Re-
publicans profess to believe tnat after
all, the incident will rebound to the
benefit of their party, especially in that
it has removed source Of diScOrd and
friction that only seemed to invite flu
ture disaster.
But. however, difficult it might be- to
forecast just what effect this sensation
al parliamentary battle may have,
there is no question of the fact that
its influence will be- very great one way
or another. and it is quite probable that
now that the insurgents have used the