The Washington herald., 1917-03-31
BALANCE OF POWER
Held BY DEMOCRATS
Republicans. with 2l3 to Opposition $
2l4 Votes, Hold Gloomy Meeting.

Following the jubilant caucus Of the
Democrats of the House yesterday, when
Champ Clark was renominated by ac-
clamation for the speakership. Republi-
can members of the Select Committee
held gloomy gathering last night to
consider the fact that when Congress
convenes Monday, they will be able to
muster but 2lS votes as against their
rivals 24
The new status is the result Of the i'll
ness OF Representative Capstick. Re-
publican, of New Jersey. who is con-
fined to his bed, and who. it was re-
ported last night, could not hope to be
present at the opening session.
AS result, the reelection of Champ
Clark to the Speakership was last night
regarded as practically certain.
Republican members refused to discuss
the details of their plans for organization
of the House. but declared they would
surely fight, and were not prepared to
give up anything yet. N the way of Of
fees. The. made no effort, however,
even to discuss the tight for the Speaker
ship. Worried over the illness of an
other Of their members, they confined
their meeting largely to the appointing
of a committee to wait on the Democrats
and suggest an agreement. whereby, IN
the event OF the illness of any member
of the House, he be at once paired with
a member of the opposite party. the pair
to continue until the organization fight
has been settled.
Meet Again Today.
Shortly before midnight, the Republi-
cans adjourned, to meet again at IL
o'clock this morning, when they will con-
tinue in session right up to the caucus
set for 2 O'Clock this afternoon.
The Democratic membership Of the
House yesterday nominated the entire list
of Democratic officers who served in the
9th Congress and then adjourned.
Champ Clark was placed in nomination
by Representative Dorsey w. Shackle-
ford of Missouri. senior member OF the
delegation from Clark's own State. There
were numerous seconding speeches and
then from the middle Of the hall the burly
form of the leader was seen making its
way to the rostrum. Clark's appear
ance was the occasion for q riot OF en-
thusiasm. He accepted the nomination
in a brief speech in which he prophesied
his certain election.
Representative Gallivan, OF Massachu-
stets true to his promise. absented him
self from the Democratic caucus. CALI
van will vote for Champ Clark for the
Speakership, but at that point his par
ticipation in the councils OF the Democ-
racy will end. He Is opposed to what he
charges Is the sectionalism OF the House
Democrats and his recalcitrancy Is his
protest against the allotment Of virtual
ly every desirable commit GO chairman
ship in the House to Southern members.
The Democratic caucus delegated TO tho
Democratic members OF the Ways and
Means Committee the function of select
ing all the committees OF the House. The
committee found itself with three va
cancies to be filled, caused by legislators
who went down to defeat in the general
election last fall. These selections wcrs
made yesterday. but Chairman Kitchin
last night refused to disclose the identity
Of the men chosen He insisted upon pre-
serving the sanctity OF the executive ses-
sion.