The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-03-27
SPECIAL RULE PRESENTED IN
HOUSE LIMITING DEBATE
STARTS BATTLE.
Representatives Henry and Camp
bell Lead Fight-Clark Makes
Strong Statement.

WASHINGTON. ID. C. Mar. 2s.--
The greatest legislative battle yet un-
d.rtaken by President Wilson's ad-
ministration was begun to-day with
inc presentation OF special rule In
she House 10 limit debate. and prohib-
II amendment on the administration's
proposal 10 repeal the provision of the
fanama Canal act allowing free pass
age TO American ships. For two hours
the rule was alternately defended and
attacked In heated debate in the
House. When adjournment came.
with an hour OF debate ON the rule left
tor tomorrow. Speaker Champ Clark,
VINO mas not yet announced his posi-
ucn on the repeal policy. issued
rule.
Surely there f. nothing sacred
about this repeal bill and there Is no
reason for this mad rush.'' said the
speaker statement. Il will not be- n
party 70 iammiIg such n rule down
the fhroats of members "
impressed with the importance of a
measure which President Wilson mas
characterized as necessary TO the con-
duct OF his administrations foreign
pohcy. an extraordinary attendance of
members was ON the floor when the
rule was presented. The galleries and
me moor were crowded. throngs OF
spectators having filed the seats In
the, galleries. occupied the stairways
and overnowed the corridors
The legislative way finally was
cleared and at 4 o'clock Representa-
i've Henry. chairman of the rules
committee. presented the rule. limit
ing debate on the Sims bill TO twenty
hours and precluding amendment ex.
cept Tor single motion to recommit.
brief argument brought about an
agreement for three hours of debate
on the rule ard the preliminary skir-
mish OF the greatest legislative strug-
gle OF a decade was on.
Henry Explains Rule.
Representative Henry. to a house
silently attentive. explained the rule
launched into defense OF the repeal
bill. Then followed an argument in
which the rule received little atten-
tion, as compared with the merits of
the measure. and the presidents for
eign policy. the right OF the American
government TO exercise control OF the
canal u has built and the economic
accessibility OF free tolls for American
ships were dragged back and forth in
the discussion
The foreign situation was the par.
tieular subject for most OF the
speakers. The presidents adherents
VINO spoke. all Democrats. declared
that under the treaty. the United
States had no moral right 10 pass its
ships free His opponents, Repub-
licans and Progressiges, attacked the
foreign policy OF the administration,
and denounced the proposed repeal as
ain"
Throughout the discussion Majority
Leader Underwood for the first time
opposing the administration, sat
quietly In his seat listening attentive
" to the argument Republican
Leader Mann and Progressive Leader
Murdock both made arguments against
the rule and the bill
Speaker Clark's statement tonight
encouraged the opponents OF the rule,
and Representative Sims, author of
the repeal bill. later issued a state
ment declaring:
Il have heard that there will be an
organized effort by enemies OF the ad-
ministration, both in and out of the
democratic party, to defeat the mo-
ton Tor the previous question on the
rule tomorrow. The abject OF this
would be simply TO ALLOW embarrass-
Ing amendments to be offered to the
bill vote against the previous ques-
ton viii be practically vote against
Both sides displayed great activity
throughout the evening. preparing for
the re-opening OF the struggle to-mor-
row.
cIark's Statement.
Speaker Clarks statement read.
am dead against the rule on the
tolls question. and intend to vote
against IL. ! will not stuItify mvseIf
by voting for any such rule. I led the
night TO liberalize the rules and prac.-
ices OF the House. thereby imperiling
q my political future. We won that long
and bitter fight. and ~ was the first
Democratic victory in ~ years. Time
and time again declared that / would
not advocate thing when In the mi
nority that v would not advocate in
the majority.
The Democrats won the house IT,
1910. the first time In sixteen years
! was nominated for speaker ana duly
elected by every Democratic vote i'm
the house with the hearty good viii
OF every Republican because thoy
hciieNed that J am truthful man.
In order TO liber1lize the rules ard
practices OF the house. ! voluntarily
reltnduished q large portion of the
POWERS Of the speaker which 7 could
have retained by making q fight. bur
honestly believed that the speaker
nad too much power under the old
system for the GOOD of the house ana
pt cH institutions. Among other
things J declared thar ! WAS in favor
~ throwing bills open % ample dis.
cuFsi0n and amendment and 7 am 90
nR 10 Keep the faith. come what NAV
" were 90 vote for the pending rule.
could not look the house in the face.