The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-08-16
Democrats May
Not Oppose
Uncle Joe
Pa RIFY Ais u D COMPLY WEI
THE .lE PR d4ARY
20 NoTTFEAR ORGAN.
lied LABOR.

WASHINGTON. D. C., Aug. 16.-
The friends Of Speaker Cannon are Of
the opinion that he will not have any
Democratic opponent with whom 70
wage battle at the polls. They are
not at all afraid of the result even II
the Democrats nominated vigorous
candidate, but the conditions in the
Eighteenth Illinois district they say,
indicate that the Democrats have per
mitted the Republicans to take tudg-
ment against them by default.
Under the new primary law, which
became operative this year for the
first time, all parties were required
to elect their delegates to Congress
sional conventions at the same time.
These elections we're held according
to this law, and the only parties That
had delegates for the Congressional
conventions before the people were
the Republicans and the Prohibition
lists. The Democrats ignored the mat
ter entirely, and it is said that it is
now too late under this primary law
to nominate by petition. If this be
the situation, 1t is not easy to see
where or in what way organized labor
or any political party opposed to I'm.
Gle Joe" can make any serious effort
to defeat his reelection.
Big Majority two Years Ago.
In the election to the Fiftyninth
Congress, the Speaker received go
900 votes, and his Democratic oppo'
nent, 1898. The Prohibitionist re-
ceived 2,456, and the Socialist, 1898
If his opposition is to come from but
one regularly organized party, with
a candidate duly nominated, and that
the Prohibitionlst party. the friends of
Mr.. Cannon say the labor vote that
may seek to cast an effective ballot
will find it somewhat dif1cult to pool
issues with the Prohibitionists. From
whatever point Of view, the situation
in the Eighteenth district is looked
at, the Republicans do not see any.
thing to cause them worry. The
Speaker will make but one speech in
his own district during the campaign,
and that when he speaks in reply to
the nomination that will be given him
that day. He may make a short
speech the night before election, but
even that is doubtful, as every mo-
ment of his time will be taken up in
the general campaign and the demand
for his presence Is SO universal that
the Congressional committee is find
ing difficulty in making him go
round
In his speech of acceptance Mr..
Cannon will make his reply to the attf-
tude of organized labor as expressed
in its bill of grievances which is the
document prepared by the executive
council and around which the voters
of organized labor are expected to
rally in their effort to defeat Mr.. Can
non and other Republican leaders
whom they hold responsible for the
failure to enact certain laws advocat-
ed by the Federation.
Mr.. Cannon will, it is understood,
pay no attention to that portion OF
the bill of grievances relating to the
failure of Congress to pass the eight
hour law. The action of Congress, OF
rather the failure to act, on the anti
bill is Mr.. Gomper's chief
cause Of complaint and upon this mat
ter Mr.. Cannon will speak plainly as
is his fashion. He will oppose this
proposed Legislation, as expressed in
the bill introduced by Mr.. Little, of
Arkansas, and championed by Mr..
Gompers, and oppose 1t because lit
would open the doors for the destruc-
ton of property, by what the Speaker
as Criminals" who are
in no way identified with labor in this
fight. This speech will sound the key
note for other speakers in the cam
paign and it is a safe assumption that
Republicans everywhere will decline
to take refuge behind excuses, but
will come out in the open and denounce
what has been demanded, as bad leg
islation that would result in injury
to the country.
The Speaker will devote much of
his attention to the conditions as they
are found in the country to-day, re-
viewing what the Republican party
has done during the past decade, and
what has been accomplished through
Republican policies since its return
to power. AS The champion stand
patter, the Speaker may be expected
to dwell upon the present prosperity
OF the country as pictured in contrast
with conditions that would result I'M
der Democratic ideas of free trade