The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-03-28
RULE LIMITING DEBATE ON
SIMS BILL PASSED BY A
SMALL MAJORITY.
Unparalleled Scene in the House.
Underwood Pleads For Sup
port But In Vain.

WASHINGTON. March 27.-PresI-
dent Wilson today won the opening
skirmish OF the greatest Legislative
battle OF his administration. when
the house over bitter protests from
the recognized Democratic leaders.
ana almost solid minority opposition,
adopted a special rule for the consid-
GRAFTON OF the bill repeating the free
tolls provision OF the Panama canal
act Speaker Clark. Democratic Lead
er Underwood. Republican Leader
Mann and Progressive Leader Muir
dock were at the head OF those lined
up against the administration. but
tire house responded To the presidents
personal appeal for prompt consider
alton OF the repeal bill. as "A means of
supporting his administration's for
eign policy.
Two votes demonstrated the presi-
dents commanding influence with his
party In congress. On the first test,
motion to end debate and preclude
amendment on the rule carried hy a
vote OF 2O1 TO lI6: the rule itself was
adopted 200 To 172.
Nothing to compare with the scene
today had occurred in the house since
the famous Cannon rules fight four
years ago. In vain Representative
Underwood took the floor OF the house
and urged his colleagues to vote
against the rule. The rank and file
Democrats. after listening to three
hours OF passionate argument. swung
into the presidents column. 1893 OF
them voting TO prevent the amend
ment OF the special rule. while but 55
followed the leaders in joining with
the minority in opposition.
Crucial Point Passed.
Tonight administration supporters
considered the crucial point passed.
and brilliantly predicted the passage
OF the repeal bill itself Tuesday OF
Wednesday by a majority OF more
than 100. Several of the 30 hours al
lowed for debate under the rule had
been consumed when the house ad-
JouTned. and with the speech making
continuing without interruption. it
was thought the final vote could he
reached late Tuesday afternoon.
The roll call was taken in silence.
the crowded floor and galleries tense
with excitement. after an hour OF de-
bate. Throughout the day the cham
Der had been crowded and the CALLER
les hlled To overfiowing. Following
the announcement of Speaker Clark
last night against the rule. high feel
Ing had appeared on both sides of
the controversy and every influence
available was brought to bear on the
doubtful ones In the house As n re-
suit when the struggle began both
sides we're keyed up to high pitch.
Win lAfDItSenIutlff Underwood,
the loor leader. Speaker Clark and
Representative Fitzgerald. on the
minority side, the Democratic major
ity for the time recognized as leaders
Representatives Henry. chairman of
the committee on rules; Adamson.
chairman OF the committee on the in
tcrstate and foreign commerce com
mittee; Palmer. of Pennsylvania I:
Hardwick, of Georgia; Sherley, OF
Kentucky. and other prominent fig-
ures supporting the presidents posi-
ton.
Eight Republicans Join.
Only eight Republicans joined with
the majority in support Of the admin
istration's program, but IL was con.
ceded tonight by leaders on both
sides that many Republicans who
voted against the preliminary admin
istration plans would vote eventually
for the repeal. The solid Progressive
delegation of the house. led by Rep
resentative Murdock, of Kansas, was
aligned against the majority
President Wilson's triumph was
considered most notable by the rank
and file of all parties because OF the
unusual alignment of forces within
the Democratic ranks. Two men who
had sought with him the presidential
nomination at the hands o. the party
one the speaker OF the house and
the other the floor leader of the domi-
hfhhN HAAAg bUfilAN ana dfIlNelN
arrayed against him. Speaker Clark.
though he did not take the floor TO.
day. had issued his eleventh hour at.
tack upon the plans Of the presidents
friends to limit debate. and an.
nounced that ne would speak against
the repeal bill Tuesday Represent
alive Underwood who has bene in the
open againrt the president on the Is
sue, pleaded earnestly against the
rule and later delivered an attack on
President Wilson's policy. denouncing
repeal OF the toll exemption as an
economic mistake and declaring the
president TO be wrong in his cOnclu.
sion that exemption is In violation OF
the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. Other
Democratic chieftains. among them
Representative Kitchen. Of North
Carolina. broke with the president.
Yet in the face OF this opposition from
men who heretofore had but TO raise
their voices 20 have the Democrats
OF the house follow them. the presi.
dent won within the party member.
ship by nearly 10
Democrats Voting Against.
The list Of Democrats who voted
against the previous question. and
. thus against the administration. FOL.
lows.
Aiken. Brockson. Broussard. Bruck.
ner. Caraway Carew. COney. Dale.
Deitrick. Difenderfer. Donahoc. Dool.
inr. DOremus. Drlscoll Dupre. Earan.