The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-04-15
Publicity
Bill Passes
Democrats Force Rucker Bill
Through House Without an
Amendment, Has Close Call.
DEMOCRATS NSURGE;
JOIN MINORITY.
Bill Provides For Publicity Of
Campaign Contributions
Before Election

WASHINGTON, April 1I-rns
Democratic party met it's first serious
trouble in the House OF Representa-
tives today. At the close Of a session
marked by insurgency IN the Democra,
TIC ranks, by reason of which the Re
publicans narrowly missed scoring a
triumph, the house passed the Rucler
bill for publicity OF campaign contrf-
buttons before election.
The fight arose over the entent TO
which publicity should be applied. But
for the vigorous and continued use OF
the Democratic party whip, an impor-
tant Republican amendment extending
publicity 10 the individual receipts
and expenses OF candidates for Con-
gress would have been retained in the
bill when II finally passed.
As Il was. the amendment was
adopted over the protest OF the Demo
cratic leaders by the support OF 81
OF the Democrats, who voted with the
solid Republican strength. Resort to
parliamentary move enabled the
Democrats later TO get nd Of the
amendment; but 2S OF their number
refused to change their attitude. and
stuck with the Republicans in oppos-
ing the Democratic majority.
Stormy Session Before Victory.
Tho Rucker bill passed finally by a
unanimous vote, but only after a
stormy scene. The amendment on
cred by Representative Jackson. A
new Republican member from Kan
sas. required all candidates for con-
gress TO file statements Of the source
and use OF their individual campaign
FUNDS In both the primary and general
election.
The amendment met instant sup
port from the Republican side. and en-
countered the opposition OF the Demo
cratic leaders. Mr.. Rucker, OF Mis-
souri,. chairman OF the committee IN
charge Of the bill. asserted that IL
would so change the form OF law that
Il might endanger its final passage.
This did not deter SO Democrats
from supporting the Jackson amend
ment. They, with the solid Republf-
can forces. gave the amendment a ma
jority that resulted in its adoption, ia
70 l3l. and the announcement OF the
vote was followed by a storm OF ap-
piause from the Republican side.
Squeeze Amendment Out.
There was hurried conference OF
Democratic leaders as the progress OF
the vote showed the success OF the
amendment. As soon as the vote was
announced. Mr.. Rucker moved to re-
commit the bill with its new amend
ment TO the elections committee with
instructions 10 that committee to send
the bill back 10 the House without the
Jackson amendment. This parliament
tary move 20 squeeze the amendment
out OF the bin brought about a split
IN the ranks OF the Democrats who
had favored the Jackson amendmsnt-
Twenty-eight OF them stood by their
former action. and voted against tho
motion 20 recOmmit tho bill: but the
Democratic leaders mustered enough
votes 10 carry their point. 157 20 i49,
and the bill technically was sent back
20 the committee.
Mr. Rucker gathered the members
or the committee around him and
without leaving the floor they in
structcd him 90 report the bill AGAIN
without the Jackson amendment As
sOon as the vote had been announced.
hc once more reported the bill TO the
house with tho Jackson Amendments
LEFT out OF 80. and this motion carried.
16f 20 1872. The hfl. in its ORIGINAL
form. then passed tho house without .
ol6scutnC vote.
Democratic insurgents.
Tho Democrats who stood ont
against the efforts to party leaders 10
dispose Of the Jackson amendment
were:
Aiken and George. New York: Alex
ander and BOrland. Missouri. Buch-
anan and Stone. Illinois: Bulkiey.
Sherwood and WhItacrc. Ohio: Burke
and konop. Wisconsin. Cox and Gray.
Indiana. Duprcc. Estopinal. Pufo.
Ransdcll and Wioklife T.ouisiana:
Goodwin. Arkansas: Hami1. Towns
end and Tuttle. New Jersey. Hardy.
Texas; Pepper Iowa; Rakor. Califor-
MIA; Sweet Michigan. Thayer. Maasa-
chusotts Wilson. pomsylvnnia.
Tho hucker bill. as finally passed.
fcoutinued on n rhth Para1