The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-09-15
CANNON'S ATTACK WAS COW
ARDLY.

greatly elevated himself in the pubic
mind by his uncalled for personal
attack upon President Gompers OF
the American Federation OF LABOR.
It is so customary for the members
of his class to abuse labor leader.
It falls like music on the ears OF me
parasites, of which class ne Is a
distinguished member.
Mr.. Cannon is in his dotage. he
thinks that he is "somebody extra
ordinary" in this great nation. ne
still lives in the long ago period wnen
labor agitation was considered a
crime. There is an old saying that
lone is once a man and twice q
child" They have been making
good deal out of him down at Wash
ington. Some of the Congressman
have been playing to his favor Dy
travelling about the country booming
him for President of the United
States. They then send marked
comics of the papers to the old man
in the hope of reviving favors at
.court," for the Speaker Of the House
If Representatives holds courtly
powers.
# Is he who dictates what shall
and shall not be law in this country
It is he who appoints the house conf
nittees. It is he who says who may
or may not speak on any measure
before the house.
Congressmen receive certificates OF
realization from constituents who
watch their career in the House.
In order that they shall make a
record for themselves they must
tickle the vain ear of the Speaker.
The sharper ones, like our friend
Bede, do this, not because Of any par
ticular love for Uncle Joe, but just
to be "successful'' Congressman.
Others have the courage to be In
dependent like the Hon. D. W. Shack
elford of Missouri, who in speech
directed to the Speaker in the Chair,
said
"The constitution contemplates that
the Speaker shall be the servant OF
the House. In defiance Of the con-
stitution you have made yourself It's
master. You have organized every
committee so that no bill can be re-
ported without your consent. Unless
YOU are willing no member can move
to discharge a committee from the
consideration of a bill and take 1t
I'D in the House. You subject the
rights and destinies of this great peo-
pie to the dictates of your own un-
bridled will
preside over the House of Repre-
sentatives because Of his marked
ability. He Is merely fill in. There
never was a time in the history OF
the American nation when there were
so few really great men in Congress
as there are today. There are a few
rising men, and these are willing to
have Cannon continued until they at
tain suicient prominence to become
formidable candidates for Speaker
They would not support younger
man at this time, because he might
make good" and continue anchal.
lenged in power for a number Of
years, like the late Thos. B. Reed,
and thus destroy their life hopes.
With an aged man in the chair they
hope to stand better chance of
winning In the near future.
If Cannon ever had any claim for
greatness he lost 1t in his speech
against Mr.. Gompers, whom he charg
ed as despot and a self.constituted
car. 1t is long admitted that despots
are over jealous Of their power, and
Cannon no doubt envied the position
forced upon Mr.. Gompers as repre-
sentative Of the American labor
movement, in entering the politica,
arena to secure legislation which q
"Cannonized" Congress has lone
denied the workingmcn.
All who understand the policy OF
the American Federation of Labor
and its democratic plan of organiza
ton, know full we'll that Mr.. Gompers
s> has assumed no power not delegated
to him by the Federation AS Presi
" dent OF the American Federation oil
I Labor he is called upon to perform
T certain we'll defined duties. He was
4 Instructed to oppose all Congressmer
who were either hostile or indtffer
s ent to the demands OF labor. These
4 instructions were given by the repre-
Scntatives of the American ]abo,
movement, and they have been sup
q ported by every national labor con
Sentto!, and state federation Of laboj