The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1902-10-29
JUNGLE JOE" CANNON
Personalities of the Republican
Candidate For Speaker.
IsA UNIQUE FIGURE IN CONGRESS

LIS a UNlQUh f1GUhh In OONuhbDE
Takes OF His Tie and Collar as He
Warns Up to His Subject In De-
bate-PopuIar With His Colleagues
and Noted For His VitriOIic Word
Thrusts.
"Uncle Joe" Cannon, chairman of
the committee on appropriations of the
house Of representatives, is just now
the most prominently mentioned Re
publican to succeed David B. Hender-
son as speaker of the house, says spe-
cial dispatch from Washington to the
New York World. In addition to his
prominence as legislator Mr.. Cannon
is one Of the most unique characters in
the house A strong partisan, he is
well liked by the Democrats as we'll as
the Republicans, and he enjoys the
distinction of having many listeners
whenever he makes speech.
Mr.. Cannons friends say that he
looks like President Lincoln. Mr.. Can
non does not think so. but he rather
likes the comparison.
1t is in action on q busy legislative
day that Mr. Cannon is seen at his
best 1t is no uncommon thing for him
to start in at noon in antagOnism to
wildcat appropriations and continue
making speeches until the moment OF
adjournment. Next to being a senator
from Illinois Mr.. Cannon would rather
prevent the Republicans and Demo
Gratis from footing" the treasury.
Like his old friend Judge w. S. Hol-
man Of Indiana, Uncle Joe" Cannon
is watchdog of the treasury" Wise
members of congress when they have
a bill carrying an appropriation always
consult Uncle joe before the bill is
brought up on the floor. If he APP
proves, the bill Is likely to go through
without trouble, but if he disapproves
the bill is dead. Mr.. Cannon can make
a five minute speech and practically
kill any bill carrying an appropriation.
So earnest Is he in his advocacy of re-
frenchment that he frequently is fol
aOWeu Dy the DeLEOCTulS.
Uncle Joe's" personality is of the
most rugged type. He has reddish
gray hair and wiry whiskers of the
same color. cut off square His upper
lip is broad and clean shaved. Because
of the peculiar formation of his face
he always appears to be sardOnicaIy
smiling. Even when calling other
members Of the house all sorts of
names the same smile apparently
plays about his face.
He shows a large expanse of shirt
front, and one day when he appeared
in the house wearing colored negli-
gee shirt 1t created a sensation. Mr..
Cannon explained to his friends that it
was an accident that he wore the
shirt His laundry had not arrived,
and he sent a bellman from his hotel
out to buy a shirt, and he returned
with one which would have been
credit to the fanciest cakewalk. Be-
cause of a bill which Mr. Cannon
hoped to beat he had to put the shirt
on and wear 1t.
Mr.. Cannon chews tobacco and CT
gars. He seldom lights cigar, but de-
YOURS it inch by inch. He wears boots
and is never quite so comfortable as
when sitting with his feet on his desk
and q half chewed cigar between his
teeth.
He is perhaps consulted Oftener and
has more influence than any other man
in the house of representatives. Dur
ing the Mckinley administration he
was the presidents chief adviser. He
has been called in consultation by
.Sresident Roosevelt occasionally, but
NOT so frequently as with Mr. McKin'
ley.
When MIR. Cannon rises to speak in
the house. there is instantly scatter
ing of those sitting near him. He
waves his hands and arms wildly and
once hit Mr. Boutelle Of Illinois, his
colleague. squarely in the back of the
head with hard left swing. Swings
and short jabs are his speciality. His
arms wave like the fails of windmill.
He is what is known In the house as
an atmosphere FOUNDER" When he
warns up to his subject, he first takes
off his neckt!e, then his collar. Next
ne rolls up his coat and shirt sleeves
and takes drink of something out of
a silver mug he keeps on his desk.
Thus enthused he starts in denounc-
ing whoever opposes him. He is not at
ali careful in his language and some