The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-12
VA, POLITICIANS
HOLD CONFERENCE
Republicans Are Getting Ready
for State Campaign
CANNON WILL USE POWER
Next Speaker of the House Realizes
the influence of His Position.
Political Gossip of the Ma
tIon's Capital.
CANNON WILL USE POWER
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEY.


Washington, July 12-(special.) -ouite
a number of Virginia politicians are in
Washington today holding a conference
on the Forthcoming state campaign.
They are headed by Representative
Slemp of the Ninth district, who was
elected to the next congress by about 200
majority, and, who is the only republic
can representative from the state.
The Virginia republicans have recently
attracted some attention to themselves
by endorsing President Roosevelt not
only for denomination next year, but in
1908 Shortly after the retreat Of sena-
tor Hanna at the Ohio convention, the
Virginia republican executive committee
held a meeting, and decided to go the
party one better with the result that
Roosevelt is to get virglnia's convention
vote i've years hence. The Virginia re-
publicans doubtless thought that If this
years convention were to control the
work of the next years convention
1908 Endorsement might as well be made.
Incidentally this action, ridiculous as
1t may appear on its face, has caused
considerable speculation among the re-
publicans OF the state as to the eligibil-
ity of President Roosevelt in 1908. Should
he be elected In 1904 for a full term as
President, would he, under the unwritten
law Of no third term, be eligible for re-
election in 1908? The third term which
washington refused, which was denied
to Grant. and which Cleveland is en-
deavoring to obtain, might be demanded
by those who wish to perpetuate the
Roosevelt dynasty, and the Virginia re-
publicans claim that his reelection In 1908
would be no violation of the third term
rule, because he would have been elected
but once, his present term being the un-
expired term of President Mckinley.
II Mr. Roosevelt Is elected next year,
he will at the expiration Of his four year
term, have served seven and one-half
years, nearly two full terms, 1t may be
said, and therefore ineligible under the
third term rule but suppose, say the
Virginia republicans, President Mckinley
had lived until one week or one day of
the expiration of his term and Roosevelt
had succeeded him, would the third term
objection then be raised against him in
19o87
The Virginia republicans think there is
no doubt of the logic of their arguments.
From here the Virginia republicans go
to Oyster Bay for conference with the
President pertaining to the distribution
of several vacant offices In the state.
away wearing smiles.
Representative Cannon OF Illinois, the
| next speaker of the house of representa-
| tives, with his long service In the house
fully realizes the immense power OF the
/ speakership, rspd according TO the latest
reports intends to use 1t. His interview
| on the improbability of currency legis-
/ 1ation doubtless came from the bottom
| of the heart, and now there is report
that the next speaker is going to re-
| move Representative Dalzell from the
rules committee and appoint some man
| whom he can depend upon to be In COM
plete sympathy with his plans and poll
cies.
It is said that Mr.. Cannon has ex-
pressed his determination to make up the
rules committee so that there may be
perfect understanding between himself
and the two republicans who control 1t.
Representative Grosvenor of Ohio. is the
other member of the committee as made
up in the last congress and he Is counted
by Mr. Cannon as true blue enough to
have his old place.
Beyond making the rules committee air
tight, 1t Is said Mr. Cannon does not have
In view any startling changes in commit
tee assignments He will not disturb Mr..
Payne, the head Of ways and means, but
there is a report, which considering Mr.
Cannon's good common sense is not un-
likely, to the fact that Mr. Foss Of Illi-
nois, is to give up the naval affairs chair
manship to Representative Dayton of
West Virginia.
The democrats have two places on the
rules committee one of which will go to
the minority leader, who will probably
be Representative Williams of MISSISSIPPI
pi There are two vacancies on the ways
and means committee to go to the demo-
Gratis.
That the tariff question is again to the
front Is evidenced by signs of returning
life in the American Protective Tariff
league Charles A. Moore, the president
of the league, has just returned from
seven months trip abroad, and finds that
people east and west are talking tariff.
Straightway he has set TO work to re-
1uvenate the league which has Just come
forth In an announcement that II has re-
moved from It's isolated quarters to
conspicuous place on Broadway, and is
preparing for the distribution Of docu-
ments by the car load While the free
silver issue and Imperialism were mo-
nopolizing the attention Of the country,
the tariff protected industries saw no
reason OF agitating themselves over
schedules. They kept quiet and contin-
ued to make goods which they would sell
abroad at a big profit cheaper than they
sold to citizens Of the United States. So,
too, they were not generous with their
| contributions toward the support of the
American Protective Tariff league
Through the efforts of its treasurer,
Wilbur Il. Wakeman, the organization
was kept intact. and is again getting
busy with its mass of transformation.
Mr.. Wakeman sees the tariff cloud APP
preaching, and is preparing for the storm
by sending out timely warnings. The
benefciaries of the tariff are responding
and by this time next year the league
/. Wilt be much in evidence
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