The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-05
Trouble of Last Session Is Re-
newed in Congress.
Debate on New Regulations Linn
tied to Four Hours.
THEY PLEAD IN VAIN.
InsurgentsAsk to Be Recognized
As a Separate Body.
Are. Told They Must Take
Chances With Standpatters.

Washington, April 5-President Taft's
message urging the ratification of the
reciprocity agreement with Canada was
read in both houses of congress today.
1t was known in advance that the pres
ident would confine himself to the sub
Ject of reciprocity, and this robbed the
message of any unusual interest 1t was
listened to without applause and refer
red to the appropriate committees. The
senate session lasted only 25 minutes.
The senate will continue to mark
time until the house "does something.
The house took up the adoption of Its
new rules, limiting general debate to
four hours to be equally divided, and
granting the privilege of offering only
one substitute set Of rules.
The insurgents pleaded for the privi-
told by the Democratic leaders that
their amendments would have to be in
cluded in the proposed Republican sub
stitute.
The rules offered by the Democrats
and which will be adopted provide COM
paratively few changes.
They provide for the election of COM
mittees instead of their appointment
by the speaker, and enlarge the mem
bership of several of the committee.
Six old committees are abolished
The principal change is rsle which
permits germane legislation on an ap-
preparation bill when it tends to re-
trench expenses. The Democrats con-
tinue calendar Wednesday, and en-
| large the rule for the discharge of
committees.
In the House.
Washington, April 5.-As soon as
! the house was called to order today,
Chairman Henry of the committee on
rules presented for consideration a
cnoaio1 on xxy19i D n101 Iico nc
yesterday indicated they would make a
bitter fight The special rule limited
general debate to four hours, one-half
controlled by Mr.. Henry and one-half
by Representative Mann, the minority
Header, and then provided for a vote
without intervening motions. The rule
also provided that only one substitute
for the rules reported from the Demo-
cratic caucus should be considered.
Representative Norris, the insurgent
leader, asked that this rule be modi-
fled so as to permit individual amend
ments. Mr.. Henry said the new rules
were a party measure and that op-
lportunity was given for a vote on sub
rules proposed by the Republican par
ty. Answering this, Mr.. Norris said
that as between the rules of the old
congress and those proposed by the
Democrats. he preferred the latter, al
though he would like to have an op-
Iportunity to amend even the Demo
cratic rules. Minority Leader Mann
demanded the yeas and nays on the
adoption of the rule for the considera-
tion of the rules and they were or
dered.
The special rule was adopted by a
vote of 19S to 135 and Mr.. Henry OF
Texas, the chairman of the rules COM
mittee, opened the debate on the pro-
posed new rules.
The Republican substitute for the
! Democratic code of rules was offered
by Mr.. Mann. 1t provides for the use
during the extra session of the rules
i of the last congress and for an in
vestigation and codification of the
rules before next December. Mr.
Mann explained that his resolution
was similar to the one Champ Clark
had offered at the opening of congress
| two years ago.
! Chairman Henry of the new rules
committee entered into careful ex-
| pIanation of the proposed Democratic
rules, and especially those providing
for the election of the standing com
mittees of. the house instead of theiI
appointment by the speaker and the
"retrenchment amendment" The lat
ter, he said, will permit reductions tc
be made in appropriation bills on the
floor.
ssIf there is any one subject thai
needs attention it is that of the appro-
| priation of the public money" saic
| Mr.. Henry. This amendment to the
| rules will enable us to cut down ap-
preparation bills by millions of dol
lars"
| In the Senate.
Washington, April 5.-The senate
was in session only rs minutes today
The only business transacted was the
reading of the presidents message
| urging the passage of a bill to carry
out the provisions of the Canadian
reciprocity agreement ard the refer
ence of the message to the finance
|