The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-18
Climax Unexpected.

ana OHcTtu II TtSOluIlOH IDI al NuduHC
in the rules of the house.
Climax Unexpected.
For several months the in
surgents had been looking forward to
this elimination of their efforts to un-
derminc the power of the speaker, but
there had been little or no thought
Of any possibility that the battle for
asccndency would be fought so soon.
Mr.. Norris insisted the language of
Of the constitution gave his measure
the same privilege Speaker Cannon had
taking of the census, He asked that
this resolution be placed before the
house at once.
On both the Republican and Demo.
cratic sides nearly every member was
in his place, and all realized that at
last the " insurgents were locking
horns with the regular Republicans for
On both sides the ''whips,' realizing
the necessity of full voting strength,
put in motion all their resources for
the summoning of absent members.
kilograms were sent TO those who
were absent from the city on leave, and
taXicabs were ordered 10 make quick
trips to the hotels and homes of the
few members known TO be in Washing
ton who were not Oh hand.
The news of the impending struggle
soon spread about the city, and the
galleries became crowded.
Mr.. Norris, whose seat is on The
Democratic side of the chamber. APP
pcaled 10 the speaker for a ruling in
favor of the immediate consideration
of his resolution. He insisted that the
time had como. for action by the house,
that il might take into its own hands
matters affecting legislation,
Democrats Are Allies.
The attitude of the Democrats to-
ward the movement so suddenly put
under way was evident from the
prompt Endorsement of Mr.. Norris S
contentious by Mr.. Underwood of Ala
bama and by Minority Leader Clark of
Missouri.
Mr., Underwood insisted the language
Of the constitution made the Ne
braskau's 5 resolution matter of
Clark reminded the speaker he had
once said the house could do anything
it pleased, even TO the election of a
new speaker.
"The speaker said an elephant could
he put through the house, if the house
so desired - shouted Mr. Clark.
"The speaker. retorted Mr.. Can.
non. who until now had watched the
proceedings in grim silence. 'would he
prepared TO rule on that question
whenever any gentleman thinks the mi
noritY has become the majority. But
that presents an entirely different Ques-
tion from the one before us
Mr.. Clark, opposing any suggestion
10 refer the resolution to the committee
on rules, declared that the committee.
consisting Of three Republicans, includ-
ing the speaker, and two Democrats.
could not be trusted with a measure
curtailing lis own powers The Repub.
lfcan majority of one on that commit
tee was as great as their majority in
the house, he added and amid
laughter, ''more reliable -
''lf you want to change the rules, "
shouted Mr.. Clark, looking over the
house, ''now is the accepted time -
Plea for Regularity
When the applause had subsidized Ma.
iority Leader Payne made strong and
feeling plea for regularity
We cannot have the responsibility
Of the majority of this house. said
Mr.. PAYNE, "unlesS we can exercise it
under the rules of the house. The men
on that side; ne continued, waving his
hand toward the Democrats. "come to-
day TO break down the rules
- You see the Greeks over there
bearing gifts and starting a revolution
at this time in an attempt TO re-
ready 10 hold up the hands of that
brave fighter al the other end of the
avenue, President Taft with his clear
vision, ms great interest in the public
welfare. and with his great heart beat
ing in sympathy with the American
people. Now. at this critical time.
with an election coming of and with
the best interests of the people at
stake, YOU, who have fought for the
Republican party-havc Il care that You
do not aid and abct the enemies of
the Republicans. -
The closest attention was given TO
the words of the Republican leader
An outburst of applause ON the Rcpub.
lican side had hardly died out before
Mr. PoindcXter of Washington. one of
the long time insurgents, obtained the
floor
"Upon every question when a crisis
arises. said Mr. PoindeXter. what
is The practice in this house so far rs
the parliamentary procedure is con
cerned? 4 special order is brought
out setting aside the rules which have
been cXtolled by the gentleman from
New York -
Tawney Asks Questions.
Mr.. Tawncy Intcrruptcd and asked
the member from Washington whether
the committee which it was proposed
10 create NbuIu not nc rs aIDllldrN rs
any other committee. He asked Mr.
PoindcXter whether the two members
of tho committee on rules had not been
selected 10y q Republican caucus.
''lt is more correct TO say inter.
ruptod Mr.. Norris, THAT the caucus
confirmed the men selected for that
committee by the speaker
''The speaker did not select them, -
retortcd Mr.. Tawney. ''IG was on my
motion that these members were Sc.
lecicd. -
''Whcn resolution comes from the
gentleman from Minnesota. - shouted
Mr.. Norris, ''it is safe TO say that it's
origin was not very far from the
speaker Of this house. -
Uproarious applause, which inter.
ruptcd the proceedings for several
minutes, greeted the Ncbraskau's 5 re-
tort,
Mr.. PolndcXtcr charged the in
surgcnts of the house to bear in
mind that his resolution gave them a
chance to allow the country to see
where they stood.
One of The most vigorous speeches
WAS made by Hamilton Fish of New
Nnrls II, ,nIl % bSS ,G,rt.