The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-08
SPEAKER CLARK IN
HOT REPLY TO CRITIC
Using Personal Privilege for
First Time in 20 Years, lie
DenOuncps Zueblin.
CHEERED BY THE HOUSE
Mann Pays Tribute-MurdOck
Gets No Encouragement
in Assailing Cannon.

WAsHfS0ToN. March Speaker Champ
Clark stirred up the House to-day by his
first presentation Of a question OF personal
privilege in the twenty years OF his SER
vice In that body
The Speaker had been accused by Prof
Zueblin OF Winchester, Mass. Of being
the leader OF the House ring" and with
having misused his power as presiding
officer to throttle action upon a vote TO
refer 70 the judiciary Committee a resolu-
tion introduced by Representative Mac
Donald. Progressive Of Michigan. pro-
vding for the punishment OF Representa-
tive McDermott Of Illinois for misconduct
alleged In the famous Mulhall charges.
The charge was that when demand
was made for roll call upon Mr.. Mac
Donald's resolution and the Speaker In
turn asked how many gentlemen demanded
the ayes and noes he promptly counted
only tw.nty-three members as rising TO
make the demand when more than thirty
five Were necessary.
Prof Xueblin in lecture delivered to
A suffrage gathering In the home uf Prof
Alexander Graham Bell had said that the
National Voters League had in hand let
ters from nifty Congressman in which they
say they arose at the time the speaker
counted but twenty-three.
I'm what ] shall say about this matter
I propose to use parliamentary language.
said the Speaker. u am now serving my
twentieth year in the House and never
yet rose to "A question of personal privilege
and would not do 30 now II II were simply
a personal question involved. but the
words of Prof. Zuebl!n As reported 20 far
beyond that.
Used 10 Being Lied About.
81 have been lied about so much that
have grown used to il his words are not
only foul and malicious Islander on me
but involve the integrity OF the proceed
ings OF the House. a much more important
matter. as well as the courage. lntelli-
gence. patriotism. vigilance and fidelity
OF at least 1865 members FOR that many
were here In the hall by actual count.
What this man wanted his hearers 10
believe though he did not say SO in So
many words Is this: That on the de-
mand 10y Mr. Macdonald OF Michigan for
the yeas and nays on the motion OF Mr..
Garrett OF Tennessee To refer the matter
TO he Committee on the Judiciary fifty
members rose In the affirmative that
reported only tw.nty-three. and that 1865
members sat here dumb and made no
protest against my action.
at is absolutely unthinkable that any
Speaker would do such a brazen. out
rageous and corrupt thing. Nobody
raised the point OF no quorum on that
nobody asked FOR tellers on the hrs,
vote the noes were 3s and on this other
vote 1t had fallen on to %.
81 have been nominated twice unanI-
mously Tor minority leader and twice unan-
imously in Democratic caucus for
Speaker. a record no other man living or
dead ever had
~ am willing TO put those fact. over
against any mounichank slanderer roam
ing around over ire land"
The Speaker had hardly concluded his
remarks before Mr.. Macdonald WAS on his
feet with a disclaimer % any belief In the
unfsirness or iraccuracy Of the count.
Representative Mann OF Illinois. Rcpub-
Lean leader. then took the floor
Mann CphOlds the speaker.
II have had many political contest.