Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-11-19
Iowa Vote May Be Counted on
to Support Illinois Candi-
date for Speakership.
BAHcock PREVENTED DIVISION
Many Who Supported Baboock Now
Firm for Cannon Since the Formers
Withdrawal From the contest-Des
Moines Report That Hedge Was Not
for Cannon is False
Special to Times-R Republican.

Speclal 10 IlmeS- -Repunllcans
Des Moines, Nov. 19.-The caucus of
the Iowa members of the next congress
was not very formidable affair, tho it
was all that the occasion demanded.
The delegation Of ten is now pledged
to the support of Uncle Joe Cannon, of
Illinois, for speaker. The Iowa vote
will be solid for the Illinois man. The
prospect of division In the Iowa ranks
all evaporated when it became known
that Babcock would not enter the race.
In explanation of the Babcock matter,
it is now asserted that the good words
for him were largely personal, and be-
cause some members of the Iowa dele
cation felt that the state owed some
thing to him. Babcock has been CHAIR
man of the national congressional COM
mittee, and as such has been closely
associated with Captain Hull, who has
been most efficient man on the COM
mittee. But there has not been any
antipathy to Cannon on the part OF any
member of the delegation. There was
a feeling among some OF the members
that the caucus should have been held
a little earlier, SO as to gain the adVan-
stage of an early movement toward the
s,,ccessful man. 1t is now believed by
every member Of the Iowa delegation
that Cannon Will be in fact the speaker
and that the campaign in ifis behalf has
already ended successfully. At the
expressed by those present.
Can't. Hull, who had spoken for Bah
cock in the beginning, said that he is
now ready to give his hearty support
to the Illinois man. Judge Smith was
an original Cannon man.
4, 81 believe" said Judge Smith, that
Cannon will make a most excellent
speaker. I have felt that way about 1t
from the beginning. I know him very
well and know that he is disposed to be
fair. He is a man not welded TO any
fac or given over to urging this or that
,.sseasure. His long experience will
make him a safe and sensible speaker,
and am heartily glad that once more
the west will be able to name the pre-
siding officer of the house"
81 can not see how any one could
doubt that Cannon would be the strong
western candidate" said Congressman
Hedge, in speaking of the matter to
reporter. II have been for him right
along. / feel that he is a neighbor of
mine, almost, and / know his good quail
tiles. A lot of stuff has been sent out
from Des Moines about this matter
which had no foundation. had my at
tention called to Des Moines dispatches
in the Globe Democrat and Chicago
Chronicle, stating that even was not
in favor of Cannon, and that the whole
delegation was opposed to him and lot
of that sort of stuff, which came from
the fertile Imagination OF somebody in
Des Moines. have been for Cannon
all along. know he will make good
speaker.
Congressman Lacey was equally out
spoken. He expressed himself as great
ly pleased with the prospect of having
Cannon for speaker. Judge Conner also
talked freely of Cannon. In fact there
is certainly not now, whatever there /
might have been few days ago, any
on the speakership ques-
ton.
The members were disposed to be |
quiet about the work of the next ses- |
sion Of the present congress. 1t is a |
short session. They all have had their
say before. "The session gives us only !
about seventy working days. said |
Judge Smith. "and If we give careful
attention to the appropriation bills we
must pass we will have our hands full.
It is not likely there will be any general I
legislation of Importance attempted at
that time"