Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-20

does not resign at once, and another
rea son Is this: In the judgment Of the
present Speaker resignation is in and
of itself a confession of weakness or mis-
Speaker Is not conscious of having done
any political wrong. The same rules are
In force in this House that have been In
force for two decades The Speaker has
construed the rules as he found them
and as they have been construed by
previous Speakers from Thomas B. Reeds
incumbency down to the present time.
Heretofore the Speaker has been a
member OF the committee on rules cover
ing period of sixty years, and the pres
ent Speaker has neither sought new
power nor has he unjustly used that al
ready conferred, tr6on him, &c 7
There mas beer~much talk on the part
OF the minority and of the insurgents OF
in the action taken today. The real
truth is that there is no coherent repub-
lican majority in the House Of Repre-
sentatives. Therefore the real majority
ought to have the courage of its con-
victions and logically meet the situation
that confronts it.
Bows to the Majority.
The Speaker does now believe and al
Ways has believed that this is govern
ment through parties, and that parties
can act only through majorities. The
Speaker has always believed in and
bowed to the will OF the majority in con-
vention. in caucus and in the legislative
hall, and today profoundly belieJes that
to act otherwise Is to disorganize parties,
is to prevent coherent action in any leg
islative body, is to make impossible the
reflection of the wishes Of the people in
statutes and in5s laws.
THE Speaker has always said that
under the Constitution 1t is a question
of the highest privilege for an actual
majority of. the House at any time to
choose new Speaker, and again notifies
the House that the Speaker will at this
moment or at any other time while he
remains Speaker entertain in conformity
with the highest constitutional privilege
motion by any member to vacate the
office Of the speakership and choose a
new Speaker, and, under existing condi-
tions, would welcome such action upon
the part of the actual ma jority of the
House, so that power and responsibility
may rest with the democratic and insur-
gent members. who. by the last vote.
evidently constitute majority of this
House. The chair is now ready to enter
tain such motion"
Cheers for Sturdy Avowal
Quiet attention characterized the
great assemblage until the Speaker
said, In clear tones:
THE Speaker is not conscious OF hav-
ing done any political wrong"
These words proved to be a signal
for a prolonged demonstration.
When he declared that there was no
coherent republican party In the House
there was a renewal of cheers Finally,
when the Speaker expressed his readi-
ness to be superseded by a new Speaker
there was H. tremendous demonstration
on the republican side.
RPnlIhIicanR w y}roo al
arms shouted as If they were in truth
the victors. Waving handkerchief
they renewed their uproarious cheers.
All over the House members were on
their feet. dozen members at once
endeavoring to obtain recognition
Mr.. Sherley Of Kentucky hurried to
the side Of Mr.. Underwood Of Alabama.
and held an excited conversation.
Mr.. Burleson OF Texas arose, waving
a. paper and attempted to be recog-
nized. .9t7r.. Ase-.' =. ~.st
Mr.. Sherley, in shouts that could have
| been heard throughout the Capitol
building, had not confusion drowned
them, moved to adjourn.
derision from the republican side.
1.-The gentleman from Texas has
been recognized shouted Mr. Tawney.
rhe spsake moena hag 1Tasr sst a
precedence Of the motion to adjourn.
Declared speakership Vacant.
| Upon the suggestion of the Speaker.
Mr. Burieston read his resolution. 1t
was as follows:
Resolved. That the office of Speaker
Of the House of Representatives is
hereby declared to be vacant, and the
House of Representatives shall at once
proceed 10 the election of Speaker -
Mr.. Norris Of Nebraska, the insur-
gent moved that the House adionrn
| but at the request of Speaker Cannon
withheld the notion
| Quickly the democrats turned from
their insurgent allies. Mr.. Norris sat
quietly in his place until the question
| arose whether the House should pro-
coed to consider the Burleson resolution
or whether the Speaker should entertain
/ the motion to- adjourn.
| Going to the. open space before the
fSpeaker's chair Mfr. Norris renewed the