The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-01-10
DEMOCRATS WITH CANNON NOW


January, 1911. by saying that the nl,io
duction of the Norris resolution inarke"
the inception of parliamentary revoiu-
ton. As he considered all things fair ii
love and war. he had voted to overruie
the Speaker. although he realized that the
Speaker was right.
Then MIR. Fitzgerald said he too had
known the Speakers rul ing was correct.
lie added that everybody OF intelligence
knew it, And he didn't vote to turn down
the Speaker on account of any revolution.
He did it. he explained for fear some one
would saw If he had sided with Uncle Joe
that Mr., Fitzgerald was trying to save
his Job on the Committee on Rules;
Theses more or less illuminating gllnpseS
into the inner motives that actuate mem
bcrs in voting for matters OF high prin-
ciple and imperative reform were re-
caivel with caCkleS of laughter on the
Republican side and profound gloom on
tn" Democratic side. Indeed several
simple minded Southerners from rural
communities looked considerably shocked
when M.sSrs Underwood ana ftHgefaiu
mad. their statements.
Representative Thetus W. Sims OF
Linden Tenn. which it has been nus
proud boa,t on the floor is forty miles
from railroad. was one of the shocked
Mr.. Sims. who is fat and elderly
jumped out of his seat as soon as MT
Fityr.rald had finished and fastened TO
"
II. minated that he considered these
Democrats who had voted to overrule
Sneaker Cannon on the Norris resoi'l-
tion when they knew he was right as
having been guilty Of dishonesty.
IF the reform rule OF last Marcn war
dishonesty accomplished, he inquired
of Mr.. Fitzgerald. why should not the
creature of that dishonesty. the new
Rules Committee, be abOishedT
1t was plain that Mr.. Fitzgerald was
irritated.
heat, that ! am not so constituted tnat
in an effort to become logical am merely
foolish"
The somwhat strained situation was
eosed n bit al this point by Representa-
five Walter l. Smith of Iowa. a Republican
member Of the Rules Committee.
There has been some question as to the
authorship Of this committee discharge
amendment to the rules" he said as the
House grinned expectantly. "and ] want
To say that after seeing 1t work ] am
happy 10 give full credit for its author
ship TO my colleague, Champ Clark:
The Republican regulars certainly did
enjoy this They laughed and slapped
desks and had grand time generally.
Mr.. Sims had not calmed down at all
following his colloqny with Mr.. Fitz-
gerald He secured the floor again and
had some more to say about the motive
actuating his colleagues who had voted
to overrule Speaker Cannon when they
knew speaker Cannon was right.
Il would rather be ignorantly honest"
he declared. waving both arms. than
knowingly dishonest
The Republican side simply rocked with
joy At this
Continuing Mr.. Sims declared that he
and Judge RuCker of Missouri were the
I,., IN
adoption of the committee discharge
fathered by Champ Clark.
Il said then" cried Mr.. Sims. with
joy, that the Republicans
wer. putting one over on MS. Time has
proved that | was right
Judge Rucser. who had been listening |
with interest To Mr.. Sims, landed body |
blow on the member from Linden, Tenn.
II this point.
lest there should be wrong impress
sion conveyed" said Judge Rucker drily.
i wish To state that only one Democrat.
and that one myself. voted against the
discharge amendment.
This WAS the first opportunity the /
Democrats had had to smile. and they I
lid so audibly at MIR. Sims expense.
Right there Mr.. Sims made a hasty ex-
,lanation that while It was true that he
lad voted for the committee discharge
it was only after talking
lopped up smiling AT this point and made
comment on Mr.. Sims's criticism OF
parliamentary dishonesty that was lost
20 posterity in the laughter and derisive
applause that greeted the explanation.
By this time Mr.. Sims was somewhat |
Exercised and ready To take a shot at
almost anybody. Representative Hardy
# Texas wanted 10 know ir there were
not times when IA revolution was the 4
proper thing.
The fact that You come from way
iown South ought to be n sufficient
answer for you To that question: Mr..
Sims snapped back.
But don't you believe in false pre-
ences?" suggested Mr.. Hardy
Certainly not" Mr. Sims yelled.
Then" interjected Mr.. Mann. with
IN admunitory shake of his head at the
,ftcial stenographer, "you don't believe
n the principles OF the Democratic
onrty."
After a good deal more of the same
sort of hammer and anvil controversy
speaker Cannon used his gavel freely
md announced that he was ready to rule
lc talked for fifteen minutes. reviewing
he memorable fight over the Norris reso-
ution and losing no opportunity to en-
,has2e in IA perfectly proper and parla-
n"ntary way the Inconsistency Of
considerable portion of the House mem
,erShip.
The Chair would have no difficulty
II promptly ruling in harmony with all
he preCeCentS from The beginning Of
his House save one" the Speaker said.
That precedent was made during the
ast session of III" present Congress on
resolution precisely similar TO this
{ the Chair followed that precedent he
you'd ovcrr1ie the point Of order. But
he House is now in good temper. There ,
s no election pending in the near future.
The great press of the country and the
great leaders of the respective parties
ire quiet. We are not excited. And so
he Chair declines 10 follow the judg- I
nent of the House at the last session
inder which il made the precedent. ,
And in making this decision the Chair
lnnounces II with the highest respect
or the House.
The Chair appeals TO the House from
decision of that same House made in :
great excitement when the waves of ,
were high, doing SO after
he wind has ceased, the billows have
passed away and the sea is serenely blue
The Chair therefore s,Stains the point
4 order" ,
MIR. Fuller. overcome by Uncle Joe's
rgumont. attempted to withdraw his
esolution. announcing that he would
lot appeal from the ruling But Repre-
entative Gaines of West Virginia did
Ie saw the possibility of putting the
Democrats on record IA absolutely in
consistent and he made the appeal. with
he result that the Speaker was sustained ,
y the very larg" majority mentioned.
Following the elimination of the Fuller
nIi R,,, ,t,,t, n.,l 4