The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-02-15
DEMOCRATSyNEARLY FELL
FOR ANTI-THIRDITERM BILL

WASHINGTON, D. Especial. Not
knowing the extent TO which it was
loaded. the Democratic and Republi-
side-stepped the Slayden anu-thiro
term resolution and decided against
It's consideration by the House.
The general consensus Of opinion is
that the Democrats narrowly escaped
Republican ambush In connection
which was designed to sQuelch the
movement for the nomination Of Col
onel Roosevelt. The minority, at the
instigaton OF Leader Mann. had il
all framed up TO permit the resolu-
ton to come before the House. and
then vote present" on its passage
letting the Democrats put il through
on their own responsibility and thus
demonstrate to the country their fear
of the colonel as a presidential con-
tender.
Democrats Against It
But at the very last moment the
Democracy learned OF this neat little
plan and scuttled 10 cover most OF
them voting against bringing the res
olution up at all. All but four Re
publicans voted the same way and
are now sorry they did, for they now
believe they missed a fine opportu-
nifty OF putting the Democracy in a
hole. Representatives Mccall, of
Massachusetts; Higgins. OF Connect
cut; Bingham, of Pennsylvania, and
Uncle Joe" Cannon are the four Re
publicans who wanted the resolution
acted upon and who would have
voted to pass II. Mr.. Cannon looked
particularly detected after the Stay
den resolution had been showed aside.
He has never been an Rdmirer OF
Mr.. Roosevelt. and remarked to his
friends with enthusiasm TO the pros
pect OF handing the eX-President a
jolt
Hardly a dozen members of the
House knew until a few minutes be-
fore Mr.. Slayden sprang his resolu-
ton that he had any idea of calling |
II up yesterday. When he did pre- |
sent IL Representatives Mann, Morris |
and Gardner all Republicans, were |
On their feet demanding time for de- /
bate. At this juncture Representative |
Crumpacker. OF Indiana, said:
Il note there is no quorum of the
House present. This matter is too i'm
portant TO be considered without a
quorum. 1 demand a call of the
House"
Hurried Conferences Held.
AS there were less than 100 men,
bers on the floor. Speaker Clark or
dered call OF the House. This gave
opportunity for some mighty quick
thinking. and Republican, Democratic
ana insurgent conferences were imme-
dlately in progress on the floor and in |
the cloak rooms No two members |
seemed to have the same idea as TO |
the effect OF any given action by the |
House on the resolution. But il was |
soon learned that Representative Nc |
Call had started all the trouble. He
had an antt-third-term speech in his |
pocket. and he had arranged. all by |
for Mr.. Slayden to call up |
the resolution and for Speaker Clark |
TO recognize him for the purpose
Both performed according to schedule 1
and threw both sides into disorder.
While the Democratic leaders SEEM |
ed in doubt as to what they should |
do, Representative Sims. of Tennessee, |
went into action. No one had a chance
TO speak on the proposition. but while
the quorum was gathering he rushed
around the floor, waving a copy of
the resolution and demanding to know
II the Democratic party seriously in
tended to give Mr.. Roosevelt the
grandest boost he ever had.
The Shadow of Roosevelt
Pass this thing" he cried, land
the people of the country Will say we
are afraid of Mr.. Roosevelt and fear
we can't elect our man If he runs"
well. amt that about right" in
CURED a voice from the rear of the
House.
Maybe it is" retorted Mr.. Sims.
soto voce. but why tell everybody
about it?"
The Tennessee member, who per-
spired freely from his effort to inter
view the entire majority membership
In ten minutes, made q lot of converts
and when a vote was taken to deter
mine whether II should be considered,
only forty-seven Democrats marched
between the tellers. The four Repub-
Leans mentioned went through with
them. Ninety-one Democrats and Re-
publicans voted against taking up the
resolution. Half of the membership
present didn't vote at all, and a good
many of them looked dazed and un-
decided