The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-08
"UNCLE JOE" CANNON IS 70.
ms BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED IN
AND OUT or THE HOUSE.

score years and ten. 10 snow MS ute
contempt for and the nbsurdity OF the Osle
theory the Speaker arose at 0 this morning
just as the sun was peoping over Capito
Hill, read over q bunch Of correspondence
ate a hearty breakfast and, following hi
democratic habit, walked to the Capitol
q distance OF nearly two miles. On the way
many younger members who are not Presi
dental possibilities passed him in carriage'
and automobiles. Some OF them stopped
and offered him an opportunity to ride
all Of which the Speaker modestly declined
and continued his walk at q pace which
kept Secretary Busbey on a dog trot
Upon reaching his Office at the Capitol
Neil, the oolored messenger at the Speakers
door, who has served in that capacity since
the days Of Samuel J. Randall, was the first
to extend congratulations. Upon his desk
the Speaker found a large bundle Of tele-
grams f%elioitating him on his 10th birthday
anniversary. The first the Speaker opened
was from Mayor Mcclellan. 1t read as fol-
lows:
New York Joins me in heartiest congratu-
lations and the expression Of my respect
and admiration. May you see as many more
returns Of the day as you desire. and may
each return find you happy In mind and
stronger in body
One from ex-United States Minister
Clark E. Carr of Galesburg, ILL.,, read:
Congratulations. No patriotic Ameri-
can can become so old or so exalted as to
disregard the mandate Of the people when
they call U.s."
Ex-Hepresentative Philip b. Low of
Brooklyn cent the following:
'On age we shake only twenty-four hours
apart. Publications from your former
colleague
Clement Il. Griscom OF Philadelphia sent
Best wishes and many happy returns OF
the day"
Ex-Gov. David r. Francis wired the
following to Clerk Mcdowell of the House
Of Representatives:
Many thanks for invitation to join in con-
graduating Speaker Cannon in rounding
out his threesooro and ten years. May
his physical qualities continue to keep
step with his youthful sentiment. Hope
occasion will be gratifying to guests and
satisfactory to projectors. Please ex-
tend congratulations and respects
Other messages were from relatives and
his old neighbors in Danville and other
parts Of the Speakers district. One from
Henry D. Sexton, Fast St. Louis, read:
Dear Uncle: God bless you There were
a score Of others, and they kept coming in
all day.
Before the House was called to order
a large number of members went TO the
Speakers room and shook his hand, ex-
tending their congratulations,
AS he appeared at the east door of tn
members lobby on his way TO the desk
he met an outburst of applause from mem
bers on the floor and visitors in the gallery,
and he unconsciously halted, visibly en-
barrassed and almost startled by the out
burst.
Recovering himself, the Speaker pro-
oeeded TO the chair, the applause continuing.
Gavel in hand, he stood blushing and bowling
like a footlight debutant for a full minute,
and then a bang on the desk brought still
ness and the customary order: The
chaplain will open with prayer
Chaplain Couden's petition was in Fart
upon each member Of this House: especially
upon him who presides over it's delibera-
lions crowned by the glory Of seventy years
Of usefulness. LenRthen his years, keep
him in health, strength and vipor.'
All Of Uncle Joe Cannon's nephews
Arlington to do him honor. TIL hosts
were the other 1856 members Of the House
of Representatives, who have long been
planning to mark the time when the Speaker
should have reached the biblical limit OF
threescore years and ten with an appro-
the memory of the thousand or more guests
who we're present at his reception.
Included in the list of those who met
| to pay tribute to the Speaker and felicitate
| him were the President of the United States
and all the members of his Cabinet, the
Vice-President, a large majority of the
members Of the Senate, many members
Of the Diplomatic Corps, nearly every
member Of the House over which he pre-
sides and a long line of distinguished officers
Of the Government, and private citizens
Many Of those who were present came
from a distance, and among these was q
large contingent from his home town OF
Danville, ILL.,, his old ~neighbors and personal
friends of half a century, those who call him
Uncle joe in his presence, indicating q
familiarity greater even, than many OF
those who have served with him for years
in the House.
Standing Immediately in front Of a big
bower of roses in the parlors OF the AIRING
ton, Uncle joe" his face wreathed in
smiles and looking a full ten years younger,
than the record in his old family Bible shows
received the long line of guests who came
to congratulate him.
Uncle Joe" was 20 years young to-day.
His spirits we're high, and the occasion was
evidently TO him the happiest of his life.
The one thought in the mind Of almost
every one in the long line which passed
before him and shook his hand was would
that Uncle joe was but ten years younger, v
Could it only be 30, could time turn back
its dial for only a decade, such an act would
at once shatter the PTesldentlal hopes OF
half a score Of aspirants for the political
! shoes OF Theodore Roosevelt, who were
| among those at the reception tonight.
AS 1t was, the ovation which the Speaker
received, coupled with his appearance OF
physical vigor and his evidence OF strong
mentality. caused the candidates to size
him up carefully and wonder if after all
it could be possible that a political oonven-
ton could be stampeded to nominate a
man for the Presidency after he has reached
his seventy-second year.
Many there were at the reception to-
night who openly expressed themselves
for Uncle Joe" for President If he should
be a candidate for the nomination, and
many a man declared that age should not
stand in the way of man who Possesses
the mental vigor and physical health of
the Danville statesman.
The scene at the Arlington was In keep
ing with the spirit OF the gathering. The
parlors were decorated with a p~rofusion Of
flowers, fragrant with the odor Of spring
and typical OF budding hopes. In the back
ground was a miniature Of the United States
Capitol brilliantly illuminated. Some one
elepested that the miniature ought TO
show the other end Of Pennsylvania avenue
in perspective, but that suggestion was
carefully left to the imagination OF those
who we're present.
The President arrived shortly before
10 O'Clock and took his place in line with Q
score or more members of the Senate and
House and distinguished persons who were
waiting to shake Uncle Joe's hand. He