Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-11-12

M a. ~. 40Vds Que Of the l0uuty
cherished ambitions OF Hon.
Joseph G. Cannon of Illinois
was realized when he was sworn IN as
speaker OF the house of representa-
tives. There is only one step higher in
the political ladder. He goes into office
with the hearty good will not only Of
q large majority Of Republican mem
bers, but also of a vast majority of
Democratic members. His sobriquet of
ssUncie joe is Indicative OF the feeling
toward him. If the old theory that while
the school Of experience is hard one it
is the best be true, then Mr.. Speaker
Cannon ought TO make an ideal pre-
siding officer of the able but turbulent
body in which he has been an honoreGy
influential and constantly growing fig
ure for almost generation. He is as
familiar with the history, traditions,
rules, customs and workings of the
house indeed, of the whole govern
ment as any man that ever welded
the gavel He Is one Of the best rough
and tumble debaters ever in congress,
and many persons wonder how he viii
be able to stay on his high perch and
refrain from mingling cum gaudio in
the fierce contests on the floor, in
which for many years he has been a
most successful participant. Will be
sit dumb when the debate wakes hot,
or will be follow the example of Henry
Clay and take part in the historic CAB
tests? Few speakers since the great
Kentuckian have done So / heard
Speaker Crisp make one speech in the
house, on the Wilson tariff bill, but
Speaker Reed and Speaker Henderson
both refrained from participation in
debates in the house, though it was
currently reported that General Hen
derson spoke with great force in Re
publican caucuses.
That Uncle joe will make an able
speaker none can doubt. That he will
expedite business is generally believed.
That he will be a great success is uni
yersally hoped
After long and stormy career on
the floor he enters upon his high duties
without sentangling alliances, for when
General David 3. Henderson Of Iowa
declined a reelection to congress, there
by necessitating the election of new
speaker, Uncle Joe" was chosen with
great spontaneity and practical una
nimity year and a half in advance Of
his formal election, thereby relieving
him of any necessity of making prom
ises. AS much as any speaker ever
elected he has q free hand in making
up his committees. The unanimity
with which he was chosen was a splen-
! did tribute to him. considering the fact
that he had cut such wide swath in
the house. participating actively in
most of the bitter controversies Of the
body, and in his capacity as chairman
of the committee on appropriations an
tagonizing so many members by killing
their pet measures.
He possesses much of l'esprit de corps,
and many members hope that he will
make the restoration of the house to
it's ancient place Of honor in the legisla-
tive system a special feature Of his adj
ministration. 1t is d notorious fact,
very much depIored by all thinking per
sons, that for years the senate has been
usurping all legislative powers. Against
this Mr.. Speaker Cannon made many
gallant fight. on the floor of the house.
From his greater coign of vantage he
can wage the battle with more success.
In this he will be supported cordially
by all who have the good Of the house
and of the government at heart.
Whether Uncle joe can do his
party as much service in the chair as
chairman of the committee on appro-
priations remains to be seen. He was
a fighter from the head waters of Bit
ter creek and fought his party out Of
many a hole. He was always dam
gerous man to tackle in debate. and his
readiness at repartee and his bitter sar-
casm frequently enabled him to turn a
rout into a drawn battle, sometimes
into a victory. II he gave hard knocks
with glee he received them In good
humor, biding his time to even up the
score. OF s'Uncle Joe" it may be truly
said that his scars are all in front, for
he never turned his back to the foe
Coming.
.s'Twas famous victoryr The
country is regaining its political sanity.
The turn in the tide has come. Greater
New York has redeemed herself and
has repudiated by an Overwhelming
majority the motley aggregation Of po-
litical Pecksniffs which she installed
in Office two years ago. Maryland once
more takes her legitimate place in the
Democratic ranks and will send a Dem
ocratic United States senator to col
Iaborate with Hon. Arthur Pue Cor
man In what is sometimes denominated
ssthe most august legislative body on
EARTH Rhode Island re-elects Gov
ernor Garvin. which proves that it was
not by a duke that the Democrats car
ried Little Rhody last year. The Dem
ocratic tide Is rising everywhere save
Id darkest Ohio, where Democratic fac
tionai fights have reduced the party to