The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-04

" affected the verdict One day II might
be a murder case wherein Mr.. Cannon ap-
peared counsel: next ne might have
chaUc.ry case: the next morning Il case
Those acquainted with Mr.. Cannon say
that he never writes speech. but. after
careful prepa-ation as TO facts involved,
enters controversy depending upon CIR
cums:arces and surroundings for the mar
ton at issue. His prartice on a county
circuit. perhaps. qualified him for many
contests later on in the House Of Repre-
SsntatiVeS.
HIS FIRST ELECTION.
The Greeley year he decided to become
canr1date. fading it necessary. On physi-
practice: After a two days fight in tn,
convention he secured the nomination and
WAS in due season elected;
Two years later. il the Granger cam
paiSn, when the Democrats swept the coun-
Try. he Won another nomination and cleo
ton. By the time that term had expired
have hundreds of other lawyers who di-
gross TO congressional honors. 1t was
law or keep going to Congress. A nomi-
nation By acclamation was awaiting him.
and. most every other man would have
done under like circumstances. he accept
ed it. Since then. except for two years. he
has been com ing to Congress and receiving
nominations by reclamation by his loyal
constituents.
In the great Democratic landslide of 1890
Mr.. Cannon was defeated for the Fifty
Blaine was Speaker of the Fifty-third
CongI ess. lie put Mr.. Cannon whose hab-
its OF hard work and thorough preparation
for whatever he undertook. We're still upon
him. on the Committee on the Post OFFICES
Paeker Of Pan was eaian
Thomas C. Plat of New York was serving
his first term in the House and was MEM
then trying to codify the postal laws. and
Chairman Packers committee had the
prepara ton of the work. 1t was assigned
Il subcommittee WI
was made chairman.
He. went at the immense task with de-
new code of postal laws which was event.
ually enacted into a statute, with i few
modifications. the same as the statute of to-
day. One of the provisions Incorporated in
the law was the pound rate for newspapers.
| a very important advance over the old Gus
tom of collecting postage on papers at the
Offices of delivery.
HIS MAIDEN SPEECH.
Mr.. CannonS maiden speech was delivered
in the presentation of this postal code. He
was well fortified with information about
his bulky bill. although he knew but little
of the rules He proceeded and commanded
attention-the House of Representatives al
on subject it desires to investigate.
After awhile. one OF the veteran Repub-
! lican members asked Mr.. Cannon a question
challenging the statement Of fact he had
made. Mr.. Cannon replied and said:
MIR. = you are mistaken whereupon
Mr. Blaine being in the chair. and stated
his point or order to be that the rule pro-
hibits one member in debate calling another
by name.
Mir. Blaine sustained the point of order
and said: 1.-The gentlemen from Illinois Mr..
Cannon will proceed in order"
Mr.. Cannon continued with that forcible
irtonation and courteous bow with which
the House has become familiar in recent
years.
MIR. Speaker said he. III the venerable
and august gentlemen, who is such stick
ler for the rules, will bear with me, l beg
to inform him that he lies under a mis-
take"
The uproar was great and the veteran
questioner subsided. Members focked up
the center aisle and stood three or four
/ deep, listening to Cannon's argument. Some
say It was the best speech he ever made In
the House, but, in any event. Mr.. Cannon
| has since then gained the reputation of be-
ing one of the best II not the best, of the
| debaters in Congress.