New-York tribune., 1911-01-10
HOUSE UPHOLDS CANNON
Democratic Leaders Turn a
Complete SomersauIt.
INSURGENTS DISC0MFITED
Ruler of Speaker Sustained by
Vote of 222 to So, Following
Sharp Debate.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, Jan. S,-DurlnR tne hNVhV't
kind of a rules fight in the House OF Rep
resentatives to-day, the Democratic leaders
OF that body and most Of their followers
turned complete parliamentary somer-
sault AS a result the Republican regulars
are iubilant tonight the Republican insur-
gents are confident they have been be-
trayed. the minority is wondering how the
country will view its admitted inconsis-
tency, and few lone Democrats. most OF
them from rural communities in the South,
are unhappy. certain that their chieftains
have been led astray by lust for power.
To-day's rules ruction was interesting
while II lasted. and il was nearly 4 o'clock
when the smoke cleared away. Republican
regulars and Democratic regulars joined
hands and sustained ruling by Speaker
Cannon by vote OF 222 10 %, While twenty
eight Republican insurgents and twenty
five Democratic insurgents voted against
the Speaker and for consistency, rules re-
form and the progressive" faith.
Not the least important feature of the
rumpus was the charge OF parliamentary
dishonesty made by Representative Sims
of Tennessee, against his colleagues.
When the House met at noon to-day noth-
ing seemed more improbable than hght
on the rules. For one thing. IT was District
OF Columbia Day. supposed to be deVo'eu
10 legislation I'm the interest Of the ne'ori"i
capital, and heretofore rules fights nave
been precipitated only by insurgents
Fuller Starts Things Moving
But II was Republican regular, Repre-
sentative Fuller, Of Illinois, who started
things this time. Mr.. Fuller has been fuil
of rage and other emotions ever since rep
resentative Mann, of illinois, by oHerlhs
more than one hundred motions TO dls-
charge committees Of the House from con-
sideration Of as many bills, demonstrated
that the committee discharge amendment
20 the rules fathered by Champ Clark, OF
Missouri the minority leader, and backed
by the Republican insurgents, was nZzie
and a farce Mr.. Fuller had hoped to get
mp a bill in which he is nightly interested,
on motion 10 suspend the rules. But as
such motion IS in order now only after
the committee discharge calendar is tree
and as that calendar admittedly never VIII
be in that shape, he lost hope. So to-day ne
proposed an amendment 10 the rules, CIV
ing suspension business the precedence.
But it wasn't what he proposed so much
as the ground on which he proposed II
which stirred up trouble. Mr.. ruler
pointed out that the now famous Norris
resolution TO amend the rules, which pre-
cipitated the three days fight OF last
March. had been declared out of order by
Speaker Cannon. but the ruling had been
overruled by the House. As his resolution
was absolutely Identical in principle with
the Norris resolution, he had no doubt IT
would Immediately be declared in order.
Representative Mann Immediately made
point Of order against the Fuller PROPOSE
ton, and the fight began.
1t soon became apparent that the Demo
Gratis Of the House, a minority without
hope. were quite distinct from the minor
ity Of the House. rampant, and about TO be
come a majority. When Speaker Cannon
declared the Norris resolution out OF order
last March the Democrats denounced him.
He was tyrant and Car and should be
curbed. His ruling was only an indication
of HIS arbitrary methods.