Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-04-15
INSURGENCY SHOWS
IN RANKS Of
DEMOCRACY
REPUBLICAN TRIUMPH
NARROWLY AVERTED
Campaign Contribution Pub
Iicity Bill Goes Through the
House By Unanimous Vote
but Only After Stormy Scene
NY Morning journal Special Leased Wire

IBy Morning journal Special Leased wirel
Washington. April l4--The demo-
cratic party met its first serious trou-
Bile in the house of representatives to-
day. AZ the close of a session marked
by insurgency in the democratic ranks
by reason of which the republicans
narrowly missed scoring triumph,
the house passed the Rucker bill for
publicity of campaign contributions
before elections TIL fight arose over
the extent TO which publicity should
be applied. But for the vigorous and
continued use Of the democratic whip,
an important republican amendmens
extending publicity to the individual
receipts and expenses of candidates
for congress would have been retained
in the bill. when II finally passed.
As 1t was, the amendment was
adopted over the protest of the demo-
cratic leaders, by the support of fifty-
two democrats who voted with the
solid republican strength. Resort to
parliamentary move enabled the
democrats later to get rid Of the
amendment, but twenty-eight OF their
number refused to change their atti-
tude and stuck with the republicans
In opposing the democratic majority.
The Rucker bill passed finally by o
unanimous vote, but only after a
stormy scene. The amendment Of
fered by Representative Jackson, an
insurgent republican from Kansas. re-
quired all candidates for congress to
file statements of the source and use
OF their individual campaign funds
in both the primary and general elec-
ton.
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 the law
that Il might endanger i.s final pass
age.
This did not deter flfty-two demo-
Gratis from supporting the Jackson
amendment. They. with the solid re-
publican forces, gave the amendment
a majority that resulted In its adop-
tion, liz to 1871, and the announce
ment of the vote was followed by a
storm Of applause from the repub-
lican side,
There was hurried conference of
democratic leaders and Mr.. Rucker
moved to recommit the bill, with IT'S
new amendm ant, to the elections COM
mittee with instructions to send the
bill back TO the house without the
Jackson amendment.
This parliamentary move to squeeze
the amendment out of the bill brought
about a split in the ranks of the
democrats who had favored the jack
son amendment Twenty-eight of
them stood by their former action,
and voted against the motion to re-
commit the bill; but the democratic
leaders mustered enough votes TO
carry their point l57 to 1is; and the
BIN technically was sent back to the
committee.
Mr. Rucker gathered the members
OF the committee around him and
without leaving the floor they In
structed him to report the bill again
without the jackson amendment.
He at once did so and this motion
carried, 1854 to 1879, The bill, in its
original form. then passed the house
without q dissenting vote.
The Rucker bill as finally passed,
makes more stringent the campaign
publicity law passed In 1910 That
law requires publicity of funds after
election. The Rucker bill will require
publicity or funds by the cnmpaiga
committee ten days before election
and the filing OF supplemental state
ments every three days thereafter un-
til election day.
The Rucker bin limited publicity of
campaign expenditures to sums of
$t00 or over. but Mr.. Rucker accept
ed an amendment of Mr.. Kopp. re-
publican, of Wisconsin. requiring the
publicity of all payments In sums OF
$40 or over for campaign purposes.
Throughout the debate Perry Bel
mont, president Of the National Pub
licity Law association and former
member of the house, occupied seat
on the floor.