The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-15
MR.CANNON MAKES FUN
The King1nan Member EntertAlnS
the House for a Time
WITH A RESOLUTION TO SHUT OUT

Tv,a ESTATE Journal From the Floor
of the HOuse-Other Legislative
Matters.
The house of representatives listened
Yesterday evening with closest attention
while the clerk read a column ar
ticle in the STATE JOURNAL 1t was
in such contrast to the dull. sopo-
rife bills which are usually read from
the clerks desk that the members en-
ioyed it. ito.
runted the reading with points of order,
but he was drowned out by cries OF
"Read. read read" It is probable that
Mr. Rohrbaugh did not then understand
the situation, to-wit: that the mem ers
were having fun with MIR. Cannon. Inc
article was the one entitled mo Pass
BiIl?" and the reading was at the IN
stance of Mr.. Cannon of Kingman.
Mr.. Cannon had purposed having this
done for some time. 1t was evident dur
ing the entire afternoon that he had
something on his mind The usual
cheerful and refreshing naivete was alb
sent from his actions and deep care sat
enthroned upon his brow where were
wont to play expressions of buoyancy
and delight. He was prevented from
putting into effect the thing that per
turbed him by the house being in the
committee of the whole. When the COM
mittee arose Mr.. Cannon's nervousness
increased He did not lose his remarka-
BILE self possession, but he appeared I'M
easy. While other members were
talking he arose several times in
his seat, looked toward the
chair, rubbed his fingers along the
lower edge of his vest to see that it had
not parted company with his trousers,
and then sat down again. When any
thing sits upon his mind Mr.. Cannon can
not sit upon his chair with comfort. He
swings about on the pivot with free
open movement which somewhat resem-
bles piece of ordnance mounted on its
carriage.
The cause of Mr.. Cannon's restlessness
was this: There was a report in the
STATE JOURNAL of his speech on the
fees and salaries bill, which first made
the members awake to the fact that he
was one of the coming members of that
body. Mr. Cannon did not like some of
the playful Dadinage in the report, and
therefore felt aggrieved Some of the
members whom he consulted agreed
with him. They wanted him to have
the article pertaining to himself read,
but he concluded not to do that
When there came a lull in the pro-
ceedings, Mr.. Cannon rose to a question
of personal privilege. He said simply
he would like to have an article in the
STALE JOURNAL read.
There was 40 objection of any kind,
and the clerk read the article previously
mentioned.
When he had finished Mr.. Cannon arose,
with every movement freighted with
meaning, said: "Mr Speaker and gentle
men of the house: belong to a political
party which believes in free speech, free
press and free Free transportation elled
Mr.. Frazer] free passes 'said he while
fumbling for the word which turned out
to ue "press." "As l SAID the other day l
believe in free schools and the Republi
can party believes in free speech and free
press but l tell you it seems to me the
press is getting too free. tell you gen.
tlemen there are some rights which mus
be protected. | don't care anything
about myself" said Mr.. Cannon, 81 dom
care what is said about me, for you cam
hurt granger, but there are committee!
here which need protection, the commit
tee on temperance needs protection
they keep saying it is trying to wreck
the prohibitory law and it isn't so and il
needs protection. Loud laughterl
"Now if l am in order l suppose
ought to offer a resolution like the one
over in the other end of the house the
other day to kick this young man clean
out of the house"
Mr.. Cannon sat down amidst great an
plause and his resolution was read a
follows:
Resolved, That the reporter of the
STATE JOURNAL is hereby denied
the privilege of a seat at the re
porters' table Of this house for the rea
son he has abused the courtesies anC
privileges of the same.
Mr.. Campbell of Stafford wanted t.
ask the gentleman a question "Aren'
the assertions all true?" he said. Laugh
ter.
Mr.. Lambert of Lyon said: SIT seem
TO me that everyone whose conscience
doesn't hurt him on account of anv crit
lclsm can afford to pass this over" Thel
IN measured and sarcastic words. 18th
STATE JOURNAL or any other paper has
right to say pretty near anything it want
TO say. move to lay the resolution OF
70 for.
81 should like to ask Mr.. Cannon
question" said Mr.. Winters. "You sal
you believed in free press and now yo
want to abridge it"
es, but free press don't mean on
mare, Drained reporter" answered tn
gentleman from Kingman, amidst tn
loud laughter of the house.
MIR. Campbell of Stafford then sent u
resolution which read;
Resolved, That the STATE JoURNA
mas right to tell the truth
WHV