Books: The Taming of the House

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Gradually the members of the House learned to think for themselves. Rotating Representatives every two years went out of fashion in most states; seniority provided members with an expertise that could not easily be challenged anywhere else in the Government. In 1910 the members rebelled against Speaker Joe Cannon, and much of his enormous power was shifted to various committees. These committees have occasionally become tyrants in their own right and bottled up bills they did not like. Rules Committee Chairman Adolph Sabath once faked a heart attack when pressure was put on him to put a resolution to a vote. But today's House operates with much less rancor than in the past and more give-and-take. Said Sam Rayburn, one of the greatest Speakers, and yet one of the mildest: "The old day of pounding the desk and giving people hell is gone. We're all grown up now. A man's got to lead by persuasion and kindness and the best reason."