Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-16
IN CANNON'S DISTRICT
Failure of Democrats to Name
a Candidate.
FIGHT REGARDED AS VAIN
Demands Made by the Labor
Leaders.
WHY THE POLITICIANS BALKED
Unwilling to Stand Without Reserva.
ton on the Platform That
Was Proposed.
FIGHT REGARDED AS VAIN
WHY THE POLITICIANS BALKED

candidate for Congress to oppose Speaker
Cannon Is now being commented upon as
OF especial Significance. not only In that
district, but In a minor way all over the
country where the Federation of Labor in
fluences are strongest and in cases In
which 1t has been given out that the Re 1ec-
alton would lend its strength to defeating
certain candidates, both republican and
democratic.
According to the usual method pursued
in Illinois, a candidate to oppose Mr.. Can
non should have been nominated at the
primary election. That was not done. Just
why 1t was not done Is not fully undef-
stood, but there Is a consensus of opinion
that 1t was not an oversight 20 one
seemed to care to take up the burden Of
a democratic nomination IN that district.
although 1t was announced In good tme
that the democratic nominee, IL he should
be a man acceptable to the Federation OF
Labor, would have the support of that or
ganization in Its fight to defeat Mr.. Cannon.
Some democrats still claim that 1t is not
too late to name candidate for the de-
mocracy by petition. but that position II
opposed by others. who declare that such
a proceeding would not be in accordance
with the law; in fact, that ii could not
stand In law. Whatever the case may be
eventually Ii is certain that there Is no
evidence of organized opposition to Mr..
Cannon that is likely to defeat him. At the
last election he had 10000 votes to 1900
votes cast for his democratic opponent
and it was a pretty coed democratic year.
too.
The Labor Leaders Demands.
"a But the reasons that have combined to
throw cold water over the democratic can
didacy are declared to be very significant.
When it was first given out that the infu-
ence of the Federation of Labor an or
ganization would be behind an opponent to
Speaker Cannon there was a jubilant spirit
in the democratic camp. 1t seemed like q
good thing to have the help of that power
full organization The democrats In Mr..
Cannon's district felt that things were COM
Ing their way; but when the time to nomi-
nate candidate approached and the terms
of the federation's support became ap-
parent to the leaders in the district, and to
leaders in other parts OF the country as
well. 1t didn't seem quite so good.
The democrat would have to stand for
the legislation that has been urged before
Congress by the federation. He would
federation leaders in the district. Then
they realized that while they fixing
to catch that part Of the vote they were
alternating other democratic voters who were
plain-spoken in declaring that they were not
ready to join hands in such a definite propo-
sition. They were perfectly willing to
nominate man who would in general
way be known as a friend of labor and of
so far as to stand back OF the entire labor
program
Importance Of Cannon's Defeat.
There was still another phase of the
problem that reached beyond the confines
of the eighteenth district. 1t was under
sto2d that IL Mr.. Cannon was to be de-
feated in that district it would be necessary
to make long pull and pull all together.
Eminent democrats should be brought into
the district, 1t was said. in order to work
up as strong a sentiment as possible
against Mr.. Cannon. Some of the demo-
Gratis there believed they could get the
help of the leaders. IL not that of Mr..
Bryan himself in order to accomplish SO
important purpose as the defeat Of the
republican Speaker Of the House of Repre-
sentatves. They thought that would be q
victory of sufficient importance to call out
and even Of the national committee. be-
cause of its effects on the next national
election.
But with the proposition to make the de-
feat of Mr. Cannon a national issue then
there was another danger By doing
the democratic party was going hand in
hand with the proposition of standing back
of fight the winning of which involved
an attitude of compliance with the legisla-
tive demands of the Federation OF Labor.
The democratic party wants to be known
as the friend of labor. but some Of the
leading democrats stood aghast when they
were confronted with the danger Of having
1t understood that they were committed to
a definite labor program because of the ef-
feet of that report in many other districts
where such a reputation might lead to the
loss of support that would otherwise be
given to democratic candidates. They dis
covered that it was a o-edged sword.
Fight Watched With Interest.
Speaker Cannon has said that he would
take no part in the campaign in his own
behalf, but would leave it to his constitu-
ents His statement of the Federation Of
Labor issue will be read everywhere In his
district, as it will be elsewhere. The course
that will be taken by his democratic and
other opponents will be watched with the
greatest interest.
While these peculiar conditions have
arisen in Mr.. Cannon's district, and may
be regarded as typical of conditions to
certain extent elsewhere, both republican
and democratic leaders, who have been in
volyed in one way or another In this con-
troversy in respect to legislation urged by
the Federation of Labor, are inclined TO
claim they are favorable to the best inter-
ests of labor, but that they cannot COM
init themselves to definite plans because
of the view they may take as to the con-
deSirability of those