The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-04
From The Journal Bureau. Colorado Build

Washington, May 4.-There is no
getting away from the fact that Uncle
lar men in public life. and that his
popularity is daily on the increase.
It is not q momentary affair, due
to ephemeral conditions, but is based
on better acquaintance with the
mans personality as developed by the
larger activities which his offices as
speaker of the house has entailed.
The type, which was described by |
the democratic leader as the "Ameri- |
can" type, is as attractive to the people
Of this country as it is characteristic
of the political system in which it has
developed. Abraham Lincoln was the
first and best known to the world.
Humor, bluntness, integrity shrewd-
ness and great common sense are men
toned by Leader Williams as Mr.. Can
mons characteristic attributes.
Il called on him." said Mr.. Will
| land said to him that I hoped he
would succeed in being as fair to the
| members Of the house as he desired to
be. To which, after a moments de-
liberation and shifting his cigar to the
other corner of his mouth, Sharp"
my dealings with the house as will be
permitted by the exigencies Of Ameri-
can politics."
"The qualification" Mr.. Williams
continued, was characteristic Of the
speakers frankness and fair dealing.
But I want to add that Mr.. Cannon
did himself an injustice, for he has
been fair, SO far as know, regardless
of the exigencies Of his partizan poll
tics"
AS Presiding Officer.
The secret of the enthusiasm felt by
members Of the house for Speaker
Cannon, If it is due to one thing more
than another, is to be attribuated un-.
doubtedly to the fact that the sudden
change the former member Of the
house, or to foster in him any Of the
qualities which are popularity attrib-
uted to swollen head.
no this John Sharp Williams al
luded when he said that many men
might fulfill the responsible duties Of
speaker, but few could come into an
Z office Of SO great power and prestige,
and remain absolutely unspoiled and
unchanged in their relations to their
fellows.
i AS presiding officer Speaker Can
! non Is lamentably weak in all knowl-
edge Of formalities and presidents;
but the lack is rendered absolutely i'm
J. material by his frank admission as
. open reliance on the prompter for all
routine.
When it comes to any real crisis the
situation is redeemed by Mr.. Cannon's
n judicial temperament and shrewd
: common sense. Formalities are
brushed aside, and he goes to the
heart of the matter in the same way
: that Lincoln did.
Wins by Franlkness.
4 Instances might be multiplied OF
: Speaker Cannon's frankness. One oc-
: CURED during the early weeks of this
e session when a delegation of promi.
r nent business men from the north.
8. west visited washington to urge i'm.
e provements in the upper Mississippi
river.
Is They were received by Mr.. Cannon
n who heard what they had to say, ant
y then, when one Of the delegation
10 sought timorously to sound him or
, the likelihood Of any good results:
:. NO. he replied, II have no ides
you will get any appropriation: O
st to be any river bill this session.
l. The visitor ventured to express sur
J. prise, if not qualification, at tn
= speakers bluntness.
"You asked me didn't you? Well,
~ told you. What did you take me for
J. Did you think I was going to fill yo1
r. up with a 10Y of hot air. and then no
er do anything ?"
le Years Weigh Lightly.
II A correspondent went to Mr.. Can
non dIlu dShSO dUOuI u IIldIISI VI SOI1
ID public Importance and considerabl
,d delicacy. Uncle Joe chewed his olga
n for minute and frowned.
er Nov you want to know about thai
ne Ell? Well with Is boots on the table
n, and looking over the rims of his spec
I'd tacles), I don't want to talk abou
at that. But look here! If you've &C
an ear with you that isn't your news
u paper ear, you might turn it in my d
m rection and I'll tell you somethin
ne that may be good for you to know"
u Whereupon the correspondent r.
Is ceived the "steer" which enabled hi
n to keep his paper right.
In Uncle Joe Cannon's popularity is
ry the presidential kind. Under slight
is different circumstances he might I
he the candidate of his party for fir
,er place on the ticket. But there is 7
man now who can displace Roosevelt
Mr. Cannon Is SO years young. Fo,
years hence he will be IL. It Is a d
vs. batable question whether age-or tn
r. age is a barrier.
lal W. w. Jer1nane.
oft