The Washington times., 1902-12-18
THE TANTALUS CLUB DECLARES FOR CANNON.

constituents were within prison walls.
CMr Payne is from Auburn where the
State penitentiary is located) AS a
special qualification he referred to Mr
| Payne's ability TO move TO adjourn.
When the nominating speeches were all
in President Power inquired across the
table to Chairman Gaines, II any one had
supported Mr.. Cannon.
NO one" replied the chairman.
And whv?"
The reasons were almost too numer-
Gus TO mention: most Of the boys had
been turned down when they wanted an
appropriation; again they thought Dan
Vile too small to support a Speaker. and
they realized the superior qualifications
OF the other candidates.
A Special Report.
Representative Nevins, Of Ohio. how
ever. came to the front and asked to
present a special report. In doing so. In
an eloquent and witty speech. he placed
in nomination Uncle Joe" The boys
upon the assurances given by Mr.. Nevins
finally decided that Uncle Joe" should
have their support.
Before giving It. however. the other
candidates were each given an op-
portunity to set forth their qualifications
for the office. Under this consent given
Mr.. Payne. Mr.. DaIzeu, Mr.. LittIeheld
and Mr.. Burton made happy addresses,
some giving advice. some "reminiscences.
others returning thanks for the honors
bestowed upon hem.
Then Speaker Henderson was called
upon to give some advice to his sue
Cessor. He did so in a brilliant speech
which was a combination Of seriousness
and fun watch made a deep impression
upon the Tantalians.
After expressing his gratitude TO the
new members for their loyalty and sup
port. the Speaker proceeded TO assign
reasons why none OF the candidates
was needed to elect Republican Houses;
Dalzen was impossible. because he
could not be spared from the Commit
tee on Rules; Littleaelc was needed to
fight the octopus, and besides, II elected,
he would outshine the President him
| to adjourn the House. Therefore. the
| Speaker indorsed the selection OF Repre-
sentative Cannon.
/ Mr.. Cannon was accorded the floor,
and in a brief but excellent speech
returned his thanks for the honor the
club had conferred upon him. He dwelt
/ for a time upon his experiences in
| Congress and Of his ambition to be
Speaker. but turning to Speaker Hender-
/ son he declared II be we're a member
/ of the next House. he would have no
more loyal supporter for reel ection to
/ the Office he now holds than lie (Can-
non).
hsads the Record"
! During the evening the floor was
yielded to Sir Michael Herbert. who
spoke briefly. but in happy vein. and
+ was accorded an ovation. He was only
discredited when he confessed to reading
the Congressional Record" every morn
ing before breakfast. The other notable
feature OF the evening. and one which
was necessary for the success OF the
dinner. was Representative Burk's song.
Johnny Smoker" which tt5 club has
adopted as its anthem, and which can
/ be sung by no one as well as by the
Pennsylvania statesman.
The menu card, which each guest
found at his plate. was an elaborate
affair bound in red. 1t contained several
appropriate cartoons representing Uncle
Joe" waiting upon the doorstep OF the
Tantalus Club for its Endorsement for
the SpeakershiD. one with the Eavel