Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-01-28
SPEAKER QU|ETS
CAUCUS CRITICS
Rules AssembIyman Godfrey
Out of Order, Despite
His Protests.
TspeclaI to the Newark start


TRENTON, Jan. 2S.-An attempt by
the Republican minority to criticise
the actions of the Democrats in hold
| ing a caucus to settle the controversy
over the California plan was effec-
tually halted by Speaker Azariah M.
Beekman yesterday afternoon before
1t had progressed very far.
Assem- blyman Carton Godfrey, Of
Atlantic county, started the attack
on the majority, following speech
by Assemblyman Thomas It. A.
Griffin, of Hudson. Mr.. Griffin had
been one of the advocates of McDer-
motifs California plan, and had also
protested strenuously against the
conference on the question being
made caucus.
Later, on the floor Of the House.
A1r G~'Hin rose to support Assembly
man Kirkpatricks amendment to rule
-. wn.cn Drought forth Mr.. Godfreys
remarks.
Assemblynan Godfrey began his at
tack on the Democratic caucus In
these words: II rise to call attention
of members of the House to the effect
of a caucus on the action on this
amendment"
Ruled Out of Order.
He went no further in his speech,
for Speaker Beekman dropped the
gavel sharply and said: 1.-The gen.
tleman's remarks are not pertinent to
the matter before the House." As
sem blyman Godfrey protested. still on
his feet:
"A member said on the floor of this
House that he intended to vote
against his predictions in obedience
IA, the wish of a caucus" To that
Speaker BeeAman replied: LAS l I'M
derstand the rules, you have no right
to criticise his vote and I think your
remarks are out of order
"WiI the speaker quote the ruler"
asked Assemblyman Godfrey. Il
have ruled you out of order" said the
speaker. UNLESS you wish to discuss
the resolution you will please not pro
ceedi
Mr.. Godfrey then spoke on the reso-
luton to the effect that members
should vote similarly at the end as at
the beginning OF the session and that
his vote should not have respect to
1.-The binding power of any outside in
huence."
Minority Leader Emerson L. Rich
ards. also of Atlantic County, arose
to insist on a question of parlia-
mentary procedure, but Speaker Beck
man refused to entertain his motion
10 REVIEW tue 4 u lllSs II Wo5 ONAd1AAN
that the Republican minority viewed
the operation of harmony among the
members of the Democratic majority
with regret. After the adjournment
of the House Minority Leader Rich
ards proceeded to Republican State
Headquarters in the American Me-
chanic building, where he dictated
statement giving his personal view Of
the situation in the House.
Richards Makes statement.
His statement, as he gave 1t, is as
follows:
"The action of the speaker in de-
claring out of order the remarks OF
Mr.. Godfrey, of Atlantic, demon
strates that the Democratic majority
dare not permit an open discussion
of their actions on the floor Of the
House. Mr.. McDermott and Mr..
Griffin have both confessed that they
intended to vote for the reactionary
rules, not because they believed in
them, but because they were bound
by Democratic caucus. MIR. Godfrey
then attempted to call attention to
the fact that outside influences and
secret conferences were evidently
controlling the actions of the House.
The speaker ruled Mr.. Godfrey out Of
order. Thereupon, on my effort to
pIOLeEl MN III his ISAAoli1 uAAOAAcA e 80
of debate, the speaker declared that
he would not permit a debate reflect
ing upon a member of the House.
From this remarkable ruling it ap-
pears that comment upon caucus
action reflects upon a member and
consequently, to participate in such
caucuses as caucuses must in itself
be shameful. From his attitude II
appears that the speaker himself
does not approve of the caucus sys-
tenn or the method by which the pro-
posed progressive rules were stihed.
But the serious aspect of the
speakers ruling is that If persisted
in, the freedom of debate will be ut
terly destroyed in the House and the
people of New Jersey will be deprived
of the means of obtaining the in
formation respecting Legislation of the
most serious character providing the
Democratic majority determines such
legislation will not stand the light of
day. No Republican speaker ever
dared to present such criticism and
even under the rigid rules of Con-
gress such debate is received without
question. If Democratic office
holders and Democratic policies are
sacred from discussion and criticism
and if the utter folly of their pro-
posals cannot be exposed then there
will be a speedy end of representative
Government in the LEGISLATURE"