The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-09-22
HON. MARION CANNON.
The PICTURESQUE Personality of A
California Democrat.
A Native Of MOnongalia He Went to the
Golden State in the Early Fifties
Where He Has Become Leader of
Men-His First Vistit to the cid Home


Men-His First Vistit to the cid Home
Hon Marion Cannon, of Yentura,
Californis, came to Morgantown last
week to visit friends and relatives.
He was accompanied by his wife and
two charming daughters. They are
very delightful people and were
warmly welcomed in this place.
Mr.. Cannon was born and lived
until he was Is years of age on Jakes
Run in Clay district. In 1852 he
started to the Golden state, a great
part of the way driving an OK team
This was in the early days Of gold
mining in that state. Mr. Cannon
settled in Nevada county. in North.
ern California, in the richest mining
region of the state, where the Champ
ion mine, the greatest in the world
is still in operation. He met with
some measure of success and soon
become prominent. L. was here be
held his FIRST public office that Of
county recorder Of Nevada county.
And he never would accept any 9th
er office until 1892 when he was
nominated for Congress in the sixth
California district which is usually
regarded as good for 5000 majority
In place of the usual Republican ma
jority Mr.. Cannon WAS elected by a
majority of $500
Referring to his canvas one of the
papers of his district SAYS:
He rose suddenly to be a portent
as Political power, organized his
forces in way that completely cir
cumyented the old politicians Of
both parties, and in the language of
his admirers, Just eyerlastingly
smashed an artistic gerrymander. :"
The Sixth district eontaiGs six coun-
ties squirming along the coast for
over 300 miles like a disconnected
angleworm. Every county in it, ac-
cording to all previous experience
was safely Republican, and the ag-
gregate Republican majority was
about 5000. Marion Cannon was
put forward to buck the center of
the Republican rush line at this
this point.
He spoke Sc times and made
house to house canvass in some sec
tions. The Southern Pacific Rail
road fought him energetically, and
startling charges are made as to the
amount of money spent in that dis
trict. He WAS elected by $500 ma
jority-a change of about 11,000
yotes-and the district divided its
representation in the state legisla-
ture nearly equally"
This is very remark able record
for political leader and especially
one whose profession is not politics.
After living a number of years in
Nevada county Mr.. Cannon seeing
the agricultural possibilities Of
Southern California went to Ventu-
ra county near Los Angeles and
bought farm on which he now re-
sides and which brings him annual
~ profit of thousands. His excel
lent farming brought him to the no.
tiee Of the Farmers Alliance in his
state and he was temporary President
of the National Convention by which
the Peoples Party was created. 1t
is said of him that the next year he
organized sub alliances so industri-
ously that all existing political ar
engagements were broken up and in
the campaign of 1892 the oldest cal
culator in California had no idea
how any district would go. His
friends urge that he be nominated
by the Peoples Party for President
in 1896.
Mr.. Cannon refused re nomina-
tion and re election to Congress
though the former was rendered him.
Though a worker in everything de-
signed for the good of the people he
is not politician and does not want
to remain in Office, preferring to re-
turn to his farm and enjoy the fruits
of his labor in peace and comfort
While in Morgantown himself and
family were the guests of Post Mas
ter Wharton and Jefferson Tenant.
They are now spending a season at
and near Mt. Morris where Mr.. Can
non has many relatives. Our people
regret their brief stay here and hope
they will return and pay us a real
visit before going back to Washing
ton.
Mr.. Cannon made splendid
speech before the Democratic county
convention last Saturday.
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