Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-15
Democratic House Making
Record of Accom-
plishment.
TO HOURS FOR DEBATE
Bill for Prediction PubIiCa-
tion of Campaign Ex-
penSeS Is Passed.

Washington, April 15.-Canadian
reciprocity had the right of way in
the house today. Each side has 10
hours for debate, the opening argu-
ment in favor being made today by
Kitchin OF North Carolina. The dis
cussion will close late Tuesday af
ternoon.
THANKS TO TAFT.
Kitchin talked for an hour He de
Clared the Canadian reciprocity bill
was the first move toward a downward
revision of the tariff.
The united democracy gives thanks
TO President Taft for calling this extra
session of congress" said Kitchin,
"granting opportunity 10 the democrats
to quicken the fulfillment of their
pledges to the people"
PROGRESS RAPID.
Kitchin declared the democratic
house had done more in the two weeks
of the present session than the republi-
can congress had accomplished in 10
years. He referred to the passage of
the resolution for the direct election of
senators; economy in house manage
ment; election of committees Of the
house; passage of a bill for pre-elec-
ton publicity of campaign funds, and
the taking up OF tariff revision.
TO HELP FRAME BILLS.
legislative reference bureau, the
chief duty of which would be to
assist members of congress in the
preparation of bills, is provided for
in a bill introduced today by Rep
resentative Nelson of Wisconsin.
Washington, April 15.-The Ruck-
er bill, amending the campaign pub
licity law so as to require publicity
before as we'll as after elections, was
passed by the house without a dis
senting vote yesterday and the Ca
madam reciprocity bill was formally
laid before that body with the sig
nifcant remark by Chairman Under
wood that it ought TO be passed in
three days.
The campaign publicity bill was
not disposed OF, however, until
democratic harmony and unity had
received a rude jolt and the regular
democratic organization had been
defeated by a combination of the r91
publican and democratic bolters.
REVOLT NOT FORMIDABLE.
The surprising developments do
not indicate the existence of a for
midable insurrection within the dem
ocrauc party, but show how difficult.
II not impossible, ii is even yet TO
perfect democratic discipline 10 the
point where the mem hers blindly will
follow their party leaders at all
times.
The split came over an amend
ment offered by Representative
Jackson OF Kansas, republican, re-
Quiring candidates for congress, 10 I
days before any general or primary
election. to file statement with /.
the clerk OF the house showing cam
sicn contributions received and dis
Irsed by them. The democratic lead .
ers had no opportunity to discuss the
effect Of the amendment. which they
opposed on states rights grounds and .
fear of federal inteTferenCes in state
elections where congressman are
voted for.
LEADERSHIP Is UPSET.
The party leaders became deuSpr7
allied The amendment was adopt
ed, f72 to 1871. The democratic lead
ers attempted n hasty repair OF party
fences while the vote was being tax
en-. and upon its announcement the
motion was made to recommit the
hin with instructions 20 the commit
tee which had reported it. This mo-
tion was carried 15T TO 149. 20
democrats voting with the repubh-
cans against il.
At once the bill was reported back
to the house with the recommended
iion that the Objectionable amen ~
ment be stricken out. There had
been time to convert 70 democratic
boilers. and the amendment was
stricken from the bill by a vote OF
I64 10 129 or the Illinois demo-
Gratis. Buchanan and Stone voted
against and NcDcrmott. Rainey and
Foster with the party leaders, The
others being absent.
TERMS or RUChER BILL.
80 Rucker bill as finally passed
-s more stringent the campaign
publicity Law passed II 1910. That
Inv requires publicity Of funds after
e-ection The Rucker amendment
viii REQUIRE publicity Of funds by
the campaign committees 10 days
previous to election and the filing
of supplemental statements every
three days thereafter until election
day
The Rucker bill limited publicity