The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-16
But Declines the Honor, and Urges the
west to Unite on a Candidate,
which Means Cannon.
VIEWS OF MR.. 0VERSTREET
HE NOW THINKS CANNON WILL BE
THE NEXT SPEAKER.
Talk with the Indianapolis Repre-
sentative on the Withdrawal OF
Mr.. BabcOck.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, Nov 15-The Wis
consin Republican delegation TO the Fifty
eighth Congress decided this afternoon 20
support the candidacy of Joseph G.. Can
non of Illinois, for the speakership. This
action was taken after the delegation had
unanimously offered its earnest support to
Joseph w. Babcock, of the Third congress-
ional district of Wisconsin. Mr.. Babcock,
however, declined 10 be a candidate and
advocated unanimous support of Mr.. Can
non. Mr.. Babcock addressed the delegation
as follows.
"Gentlemen-I want to thank you from the
bottom OF my heart for your kind and cor
dial support. The office of speaker Of the
House is one of the highest Importance and
OF great power and responsibility; his power
Is limited only by the will of the House. The
speaker of the Fifty-eighth Congress should,
IN view OF the present environments, be
selected with peculiar care and with serious
regard for party harmony In Republican
policies. He should be chosen without in
curing obligations that might weaken the
organization OF the House so that he would
b. free TO use his best judgment TO make
the organization the strongest possible to
the end that public measures may be con-
sidered without prejudice and TO the end
that the greatest good may be accomplished
for the greatest number.
while l appreciate the great honor you
have conferred upon me and the great COM
pliment to me and to our State involved in
the offer of support, believe that l should
consider this subject in an absolutely I'M
personal may, laying aside all merely per-
Eonal ambitions. My time, as you know,
has been given for the success of the Re-
publican party and Republican principles
by the election OF a Republican House OF
Representatives. We have elected a Re-
publican House by majority Of thirty,
according To the latest reports.
HARMONY DESIRABLE.
THE first and most important thing to
be considered is harmonious organization,
one that will bring to the speaker all the
elements of strength In the party. The
East has several distinguished gentlemen
whose names have been mentioned for
speaker, among them the Hon. Serene Z.
Payne and Hon. j. S. Sherman, of New
York; Hon. John Dalzell, of Pennsylvania;
Hon. c. Z. Littlefeld. of Maine, and in
the middle West Hon. Theodore E. Burton,
of Ohio. The West proper has but one an
nOuncsd candidate. the Hon. Joseph G. Can
non, of Illinois, the veteran leader of the
House. ripe in experience courageous, wise
and above reproach, whose highest ambi-
tiOn would be to faithfully promote the
success of Republican principles, to give
due heed 20 public sentiment on the great
questions that confront us now and that
are likely to be considered, and TO maintain
that cooperation of the House with the
Senate so necessary to wise and careful
legislation.
IF should enter the field as candidate
IL would be a Ong-draWn-Out COnteSC that
might leave scars that would in the end
prevent that harmony of organization
which. in the public interest, should be
preserved. especially in the West. We
must not forget that our first duty is to
the people and that We must give Presi-
dent ROosevelt's administration a strong
and united support. and while assure you.
my colleagues, and friends, that 1 CRATE
1uly appreciate your kind tender of sup
port / am constrained 10 believe that the
best interests OF the great Northwest, the
pfrx- md rfy
all things considered, is that the West
should present but one candidate for this
high Office.
After considering the subject from all
standpoints, including those which 1 have
mentioned. / have concluded not to enter
the list of candidates for the speakership.
Among the other considerations which have
influenced me to this end there is one
which l may not, with justice TO myself,
omit 10 mention. You are all aware that
nve times have, by the partiality OF my
colleagues, been made a member of the
congressional committee by the members
OF which l have been chosen chairman.
AS chairman OF that committee / have been
charged with the duties of leadership in
contests TO maintain a Republican ascend
sncy in the House of Representatives. /
have never allowed myself to forget that
all the political power and influence Incl
dent 10 this position were placed in my
hands in trust for the benefit of the party:
In no sense properly TO be used in further
Ing my personal ambition. Remembering
this. i have been reluctant, notwithstand-
Ing the fiatering offers of support for the
speakership which have come to me, TO
allow myself TO be numbered among the
candidates for that Office lest some might
attribute portion of my support to the po-
litical leadership which for the time /
have held. Ii is not enough for me to
know that such an imputation would be
unjust 1t is enough for me 10 know that
II might 10 many seem just. / shall never
cease to be grateful to my colleagues for
the tribute of confidence involved in your
Endorsement of me for the speakership."