The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-13
THEIR JOKE ON CANNON.
Members of the House Put Him Up to
Bold Defiance.

mberS OF the House Put Him to 3
Bold Defiance.
Dir. W. T. Cannon of Kingman affords
a great deal of amusement to the house
and at the same time greatly taxes its
forbearance. With a bold stroke he
brushes aside the formalities of parlia-
mentary procedure and jumps into the
midst of things. Mr.. Cannon's efforts
have hitherto been sprinkled through
the session at long enough intervals not
to attract any particular attention, but
Monday his energies eliminated in one
grand paroxysm.
1t was while the fees and salaries bill
was under discussion. Mr. Cannon is a
funny fellow, anyhow. The house has
never seemed to know just what to do
with him. He means we'll and though
his actions are not always the most grace
full nor his motions always the most we'll
timed, the mem bers have always been
disposed to treat him with consideration.
Mr. Cannon is fond of saying he is "just
plain farmer who wants to look after
the fntrusts' Ofthe great state of Kansas"
1hls information is supererogatory
but he volunteers it on each &C.
casion for fear the members might
forget it. Monday Mr.. Cannon was fear
fully and drsadfully In earnest The
Ealary Of the treasurer of his
county was attacked and he was
going to defend him if he persisted
In the last ditch, He went at it as if he
were going to tear a shock of corn down
He jumped about like a corn fed steer
and put in the vehemencs of his best
hog calling voice. The members were
convulsed with laughter and applauded
loudly.
The reason they did SO was not al
together because of the gentleman's
antics but because joke had been put
up On him Some of the members had
gone to Mr. Cannon and said: "See here.
khere ara some of the older members
mere who are trying to run things. There
Is no sense in Benedict and some of these
other fellows being SO dictatoriaL You
just go n and roast them. The Younger
members Of this house might as we'll he
tie leaders and if you D this perhaps it
may be you"
This made a deep impression en-
Mr. Cannon. The suggestion seemed q
good one and it travelled through his
mind with greater velocity than thoughts
usually do. He accepted the advice LIT
orally, and when the SINE came he burst
forth. Me Benedict had inst snoksn in
FAVOR OF the substitute of the fees and
salaries committee. Now WAS his OBJ
portunity to b-sak into the front ranks
AID dethrone rs 5ictators.
MIR. Chairman" he yelled, 81 should
tn TX the gentleman would be in favor
of he substitute. These fellows hers
W % pretend 10 be the leaders of this
use, after they have reduced the saIar.
) in our counties and got things fixed
le way they want them, propose to rur
mis- through. I'm not going to stand i
and 1 intend to roast the gentleman
lGreat laughter by those in on the Joke.
me time has come, gentlemen" said be
with all the force of q voice trained in
me open air, "the time has come
LOT even a new member to asssr,
ms righta' and don't propose to LET ,
gentleman with eighteen years exDeri
ence turning to Mr. Benedict and abak
ing ms hstl dictate to me what I shsl
do. Pm against this bill. intend :,
vote against it, and think it should y.
voted down, down, down, where it onoh
to 60" Loud applause
MIR. Cannon was nos satisfied vvit,
this 1t was not meet that one who h.,
sprung into fame should rest at that 3
when a motion to adjourn was pendino
ne started to continue his remarks TIE
pounding Of the speakers Rayel onI