Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-18
.CANNON'S CAMPAIGN
His Election as Speaker Prac-
tically Assured.
MR.. PAYNE'S HACKERS
TALK OF COMBINING ON AN
OTHER WESTERN MAN.
He Will Probably Throw His Strength
to Cannon to Retain Ways and
Means Committee.
Mr.. PAYNE'S HACKERS

Nothing occurred today to weaken the
force of the campaign Of Mr. Cannon In
the contest for the speakership Of the
House Of Representatives. Among those
who are giving the closest attention to the
quiet struggle going on for the speakership
the opinion Is almost unanimous that Mr..
Cannon's election to that office at the be-
ginning of the Fffty-eighth Congress is
practically assured.
The announcement that Mr.. Sherman has
withdrawn in favor Of his colleague Mr..
Payne has not affected speculation on the
outcome Of the contest. From the begin
ming 1t has been assured that one of the
New York candidates would withdraw from
the race in the interest of state success
Mr.. Cannon's denial Of the deal by which
he has been charged with promising Mr..
Babcock the Craftsmanship Of the commit
tee on ways and means in exchange for his
withdrawal from the race in his favor is
accepted without hesitation very generally.
From the first, those who were following
the struggle could not see why Cannon
with a large western following, should
make such a deal for western influence
when his need has been for votes Of repre-
sentatfves in New York and New England
rms view is believed to apply with es-
peclal force because Of the statements that
have been made by Mr.. Babcock in rela-
ton to the tariff and the trusts. Protec-
t1onists who do not want to have the tariff
disturbed have never had any feeling to-
ward Mr. Babcock's candidacy except one
of opposition.
Gossip About Combinations.
New York influences that fear Mr. Can
non will prove too autocratic are now
specializing on the propriety of combining
on some western man in order to beat him.
1t is said that this may be done, when it is
fully demonstrated that Mr.. Payne is no
longer strong enough to remain in the race
with any hope of success. Burton Of Ohio
is being talked of extensively as the most
likely western man through whom to carry
out this plan. Mr.. Burton has been in pub
lie life a long time, and is favorably spoken
or by every one. As the chairman of the
committee on rivers and harbors he has
been In position only inferior to those oc-
cupied by both Mr.. Cannon and Mr. Payne
He is regarded as entirely satisfactory to
the protectionists who want to have no
tampering with the tariff. Mr.. Burton is
one OF the republican members who held
their own in Cities his district In Cleveland
giving him handsome majority, while SO
many city districts experienced a heavy
railing off of republican votes and caused
most OF the democratic gains.
This talk Of shifting New York influence
to some western candidate who might beat
Mr.. Cannon is generally regarded as only
an expression Of weakness on the part of
MT fdyne 8 packers. Some OF Mr.. Payne'S
friends do not believe he would consent to
any such tactics, as it might jeopardize his
position as the chairman of the committee
on ways and means. 1t is thought more
likely that Mr.. Payne, if he concludes that
his chances for the speakership are no
longer worth pursuing, will promptly end
all doubt by throwing his strength to Mr.
Cannon, and in that way solidify himself
as the future chairman of the important
committee of which he is the head.
Cannon Not Autocratic.
Those who know Mr.. Cannon best do not
sympathize with the talk about the diff
culties that may be experienced because of
his autocratic tendencies. They declare
that Mr.. Cannon is a greater autocrat in
his talk than he Is in his actions and.every
member of the House who has had to come
In contact with him in the matter of ap-
preparations has the best reason to know
the facts in the case They say that under
the conditions that have grown up in the
House Of Representatives there must be
an autocratic rule to some extent, unless
the House is to return to its former inabil-
ity to enact legislation because of dilatory
tactics. They believe that as Speaker of
the House Mr.. Cannon will prove quite as
easy a boss as any the House has had
since Mr.. Reed became the occupant of the
chair and brought about new condition
Of affairs. They acknowledge that that is
not saying much for him.