The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-20
CHAMP CLARK IS
DULY NOMINATED
DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CAUCUS MORE
HARMONIOUS THAN WAS
ANTICIPATED.
LEADERS PLANS ADOPTED
COMMITTEES ARE TO ne NAMED BY
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
HEADED by UNDER
WOOD.
LEADERS PLANS ADOPTED

WIN 1UdtHp AldTk securely lasitu III
the speakers chair for the next con-
gress, stripped of the power OF nam
ing committees. the mouse Democrats
day congratulated 4 themselves on
last nights caucus.
There We're fire and powder pos
sibilities in the caucus and the Demo-
cratic leaders breathed a sigh of re-
lief to-day when they realized that
for a time at least their troubles were
over. The program as outlined by the
leaders went through without a
hitch. although Representative Fitz
gerald, of New York. tried to lead a
revolt against taking the committee
appointing power away from the
speaker.
The majority members of the new
ways and means committee. headed
by Representative Underwood, of Ala
bama, who were elected by the caucus
Will begin immediately the work of
framing the COMMITTEES appointments
and just as soon az the session is over,
they Will start theil tariff inyestiga-
ton.
Clayton Outlines Program.
The caucus was called to order at 3
o'clock by Chairman henry d. Clay
ton, of Alabama In a brief speech
he outlined the purpose rnat had led
to the unprecedented action of cali
ing the members or the next house
together eleven months before they
take their seats.
In his brief speech Mr.. Clayton said:
The first important duty whica
will confront us In the next house
will be the consideration and pas
sage OF tariff Observation-Disclosures
ieglslation---not measures prepared by
the benefciaries of protectionism or
formulated according to the dictation
OF selfish and special interests, but
such legislation as will show proper
regard for the taxpayers and con-
suners who bear the burdens of the
government"
Republicans Badly Divided.
lie said the Republicans had broken
their promises and been badly punish
ed for their sins.
Representative James LLOYD. of Mis-
souri,, chairman of the Democratic
congressional campaign committe,
placed Mr.. Clark in nomination Tor
speaker in eulogistic speech that
aroused unbounded applause Mr.
CLARK nomination was seconded by
Representatives j. +. c. Talbot or
Maryland: William Sulzer, OF New
YORK; adamson. OF Georgia: Boehne.
or Indiana; Ansberry. OF Ohio, and
others
speeches would never end, Repres.ar :
tative Edward ". Pou. of North Caro-
una, moved that the selection of Mr.
clark De made unanimously and with
out further speeches. This was car
fted with a whoop, and Mr.. Clark
was escorted to the chair while his
colleagues applauded
Ciark's Speech OF Acceptance.
In accepting the honor conferred
upon him the prospective speaker
said:
MY Fellow Democrats: From the
bottom OF my heart / thank YOU for
your generous endorsement for the
nigh office OF speaker of the House
OF Representatives. / shall endeavor
to discharge the duties of that great
oosition so fairly. SO justly and so inn
partially that you Will never have
cause to regret what you have tust
done.
This caucus was called for the
purpose o..seseiecting the Democratic
contingent Of the ways and means
committee for the Sixty-second con-
gress in order TO expedite tariff leg
isiatian by securing, as speedily as
possible, the data on which to base a
bill or bills which We believe will
promote the prosperity of the whole
country and give a new impetus 10
every legitimate business underta king
within the broad confines of the re-
public. The quicker our plans ar.
formulated and known, the better for
all concerned. The calling of this
caucus Tor this purposes aforesaid has
been endorsed by every Democratic
or independent paper in America
wishing us we'll
A Hearing For New Members.
Each member of the caucus should
have opportunity to express his opIn-
ions fully, for in a multitude of coun-
sci there Is wisdom. Benefits are to
be derived from free and general In
terchange of ideas. Time should be
given for this. even If the caucus ex-
tends through the entire week. Tn.
newest member has as much right to
exploit his theories as the Oldest ana
he should not be too bashful about IL.
Whatever is done should be marked
by good nature. kindly forbearance
and an earnest desire to be of service.
to the party and the country, for we
should never forget that the best way
to serve our party Is to serve our
country"
Mr.. Clarks words. making plain the
disposition OF the leader not to choke
or debate or force through over the
heads OF newly elected members any
cut and dried program without fun
ana free discussion, again awaken
the enthusiasm of the members. who
shouted themselves hoarse as the
speaker-to-be gave way to Represen-
tative James Hay. of Virginia, who
was chosen as permanent presiding
oficer OF the caucus, with Mr.. Ash
brooke. of Ohio, as secretary.
Congressman Fitzgerald moved thar
the committees be named as hereto
fore by the speaker and led a fight
for Its adoption.
At midnight. after about two hours
of oratory, II was announced that the
Fitzgerald resolution had been voted
down by a vote of lee to 20 and that
the Foster resolution. which author
ICES the ways and means COMMITTEES
to nominate for ratification or rejec-
ton by the caucus all the other stand
ing committees. was adopted by. q vote
OF 166 to Z. Later a molten to adopt
this resolution unanimously was made
and carried. 1t was Immediately fol-
lowed by a motion from Champ Clark
to name Oscar Underwood. of Ala
bama, az chairman of the ways and
means committee. and his selection
was made unanimously. II was ther,
discussed as to whether the slate for
the rest Of the committee should be
adopted AZ an entirety or q roll call
be had on each name.
The slate in the order prepared by
the leaders for submission to the eau
Gus went through as follows:
Randell, OF Texas: Harrison, OF New
York; Brantley. OF Georgia: Shackle-
ford of Missouri: Kitchin- Of Nnrth