Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-04


"JOe" Cannon's Speakership Canvass.
Washington Correspondence New York Tribune
Everybody In town knows that "Joe" Cam
non, OF Illinois, is a candidate for Speaker of
the next House, while Tom" Reed is indiffer-
emit and Major Mckinley is uncertain whether
or not to make dash for the prize. Repre-
sentative Cannon is impressing his claims
upon the members in good-natured way that
does not offend those who have other prefer
ences He reasons that the speakership is
coming his way In the natural order of events,
and whenever he meets a group of members
who are committed to Reed, or Mckinley, or
Butterworth. MIR. Cannon doesn't try to argue
them out of their choice. He merely tells
them story. 1t is about quaint old citizen
out in the Wabash country, who wanted to be
supervisor, but, like the great body Of Ameri-
can citizens who consent to serve the public,
wished the Office to seek the man. So he be-
gan to lay the wires early by repeating from
time to time that the Office Of supervisor in
that particular year would be one Of great I'm
portance, that much care should be taken in
choosing the man, and SO on. These homilies
always concluded with this expression of opin-
ion:
Il tell you now, neighbors, it's my deeliber-
ate Judgment that we should elect only the fit
tingest man: That's whatmy deliberate jedg-
ment is"
His neighbors understood the case and had
e.
he was called, should be gratifed in his hum
BILE ambition. He understood it ALSO but no
hint was given on either side. The day of the
caucus came and after candidates had been
named for various positions the Office of super
visor was reached. In a spirit of fun several
pushing young politicians had been suggested
but when nominations were called for there
was no response. Finally, some one suggested
that the position was an important one and
before making any nominations. he thought
they ought to hear what Uncle Zeke Robinson
had to say about its responsibilities The
prospective supervisor. after little urging
repeated his well-known views and gave his
'dee-lberate Judgment that only 1.-The fitting
est man" should be chosen.
When he finished there was-a pause, until
the chairman cheerfully remarked:
That's all true, Uncle Zeke but we're here
to find out who is the 'fittingest man."
Uncle Zeke drew himself up and with a dig-
nifty not unmarked by reproach for the lack of
insight shown by his fellow citizens, said:
Il didn't reckon there'd be any question
bout that among my neighbors My dee
liberate Judgment is that he won't be found
among them roosters"-pointiny to the young
fellows whose names he had heard mentioned.
And he wasn't.
Mr.. Cannon leaves his hearers to make the
application of the story. A good many wears
ago his neighbors thought he was the fitting
est man to be county attorney. Then they
took notion that he ought to 60 to Congress.
and next March he will enter upon his ninth
term. The Illinois delegation has reached the
conclusion that he is the ''fttingest man. for
Speaker. and it will support him solidly. He
doesn't quarrel with the friends of BOOSTERS
like Reed and Mckinley whose terms have not
been SO long. but he does quietly tell them he
hopes when the time comes they will fall in
line with the supporters Of the .'fittingest
man" whose name he believes is Joseph G..
Cannon.