which set the limits
of debate, proposed special rules for such occasions as the committee
thought proper, and virtually determined the destiny of bills. So it
came about, as Bryce remarks, that the choice of the Speaker was "a
political event of the highest significance."

It was under the regency of Speaker Cannon that the power of the
Speaker's office attained its climax. The Republicans had a large
majority in the House and the old war-horses felt like colts. They
assumed their leadership, however, with that obliviousness to youth
which usually characterizes old age. The gifted and attractive Reed had
ruled often by aphorism and wit, but the unimaginative Cannon ruled by
the gavel alone; and in the course of time he and his clique of veterans
forgot entirely the difference between power and leadership.

Even party regularity could not long endure such tyranny. It was not
against party organization that the insurgents finally raised
their lances, but against the arbitrary use of the machinery of the
organization by a small group of intrenched "standpatters." The revolt
began during the debate on the Payne-Aldrich tariff, and in the campaign
of 1908 "Cannonism" was denounced from the stump in every part of the
country. By March, 1910, the insurgents were able, with the aid of the
Democrats, to amend the rules, increasing the Committee on Rules to
ten to be elected by the House and making the Speaker ineligible for
membership. When the Democrats secured control of the House in the
following year, the rules were revised, and the selection of all
committees is now determined by a Committee on Committees chosen in
party caucus. This change shifts arbitrary power from the shoulders of
the Speaker to the shoulders of the party chieftains. The power of the
Speaker has been lessened but by no means destroyed. He is still the
party chanticleer.

The political power of the House, however, cannot be calculated without
admitting to the equation the Senate, the third official unit, and,
indeed, the most powerful factor in the national hierarchy. The Senate
shares equally with the House the responsibility of lawmaking, and
shares with the President the responsibility of appointments and of
treaty-making. It has been the scene of many memorable contests with the
President for political control. The senators are elder statesmen, who
have passed through the refining fires of experience, either in law,
business, or politics. A sena