The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-01
CANNON NAMED FOR SPEAKER
THE UNANIMOUS CHOECE or TEE
REPUBLICAN Caucus.
m His speech HE says 1nis 10 No Time FOR
Experimental Legislation Hen. peter
Porter. WhO Defeated wachwSFth.
Not Permitted 10 SiG in the CauAms.

Joseph q. CannOn was tonight nominated
for a third time in the Republican caucus
tn be Speaker OF the House OF Representa-
tives. In accepting the n~Omination, which
on motion Of Representative BouteIl OF
Illinois was made unanimous. Mr.. Cannon
made a characteristic speech in which he
ave his colleagues IA warning against the
evil OF Capitalization and Admonished
them that the present 10 not a time for an
excursion into the "realm of experiment In
Iegislation.' Instead he urged them TO
hold fast to the principles laid down by
their fathers.
MIR. CannOn's speech follows;
GENTLRMEN:-Ws have met to exercise
the right OF the majority 10 organize the
House Of Representatives and we must face
the responsibility that goes with the privilege.
10 mas been n decade since> tho Republican
party assumed responsibilities for legislation
and execution OF Inv. and in that ten years
We have seen such prosperity as never before
blessed any nation. The American people
are richer by many billion dollars than they
we're ten years ago. and their wealth, a.
represented by income from work and wage.
IL more equitably distributed than ever be-
fore. This has been the triumph of a peoples
government under which laws inspired by
the people are worked out and executed
by the peoples representatives.
But IL has been said: Boast not myself
OF tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a
day may bring forth" We must face the
responsibility for government without regard
20 the past. The recent shock to business
that has arrested admonishes us
20 approach our task with soberness and
courage. for We are to be judged by the work
Of the present not by the record Of the past.
The Fffty-ninth Congress had a prOdiRiOus
amount Of work put before IL and II accom-
plished more in the way Of legislation than
It's predecessors in many years. l believe
and n Ia my opinion that the great majority
OF the people believe with me-that that
work was necessary and was well done. But
we are not going to secure perfection in
Legislation and administration in a day
Law lie not alone in the letter; IL is In the spirit
OF the people. In many sO-called republics
there lie the shadow OF a constitutional au-
thOrity without the substance Of either con-
Stitutioh or law.
By amendment and otherwise the Fifty
ninth Congress enacted much OF new legisla-
ton. which IL TO be tried aud tested. Sup
Elemental legislation may be necessary. but
II should be enacted in the spirit Of justice and
not of retaliation or revenge. We are to eH-
ercise power with a care that IL be not for the
mere exhibition Of strength without the re-
straint OF caution against injustice.
Including the permanent appropriations
the last session of Congress appropriated
more than $500. OOO. 900 for the present fiscal
year-a startling amount in the abstract. but
owing to our enormous production and bust
ness activity expenditures have kept within
the income Of the Government without Great
ing new sources of revenue. This great
appropriation brought upon us the criticism
that u was a billion dollar session" and yet
the demands made upon the Fifty-ninth Con-
gress for appropriations aggregated many
millions OF dollars more. and If granted
wOuld have carried us beyond the revenues
brought into the Treasury under existing
laws.
In providing for the public service during
the Sixtieth Congress we should bear In mind
that the development OF the country. mar
vellOus as IL In, il still In its infancy. The
future will witness a development and growth
more wonderful than the past has seen, and
from time to time through the decades other
Congresses as patriotic as the one about to
assemble will care for the demands Of govern
ment as they are presented.
In my judgment II IL not wise to increase
the revenues OF the Government, nor Is it
necessary or advisable to transfer burdens
from the local and State treasures to the
Federal Tr~easury--tO foster a Centralizing
power and responsibility which Of necessity
develop quite fast enough.
We had more thar rs, 900 bills before the
House In the last Congress. II we have as
many In the Sixtieth Congress IL will Of
course be impossible to do more than select
from TINS LreHg mass Oh DTODOheu IcRiStitlOn
that which In necessary and wise. We have
been admonished by events that IL is not
4 time for extravagance or excursions into
the realm Of experiment In legislation. IL II
my personal Judgment that we should hold
fast the principles laid down by the fathers;
that the Federal Government is one Of limited
mowers but supreme where Ii has jurisdiction,
and that we should leave to the people Of the
States the Jurisdiction not granted to the
Federal Government and also leave upon
them the responsibility and burden-Of taxa
tiOn for the same.
We hear much Of the power of. the people
above and beyond parties; but responsibility
for error is never divided. You have for
the third time hOnOred me with the nOmins-
ton az Speaker. I accept this az a duty a.
well as an hOnOr-R duty to the membership
o Of the House and to the country in organizing
this body for effective work. I shall assume
this ONCE not As a personal privilege but
ms q grave responsibility well knowing that
you and the country will rightly place that
responsibility upon my shoulders. | hope
20 discharge the duty devolved upon me
generally to your satisfaction. though to
no man is given the wisdom Of recognizing
the Hull ability of each member of this body:
and even II 10 were 1t is only in the great
committee Of the whole House that all can
Tfnd work itting to their energies and capabili-
ties.
may make errors Of judgment. but I hope
60 be acquitted OF any desire or intention to
use selhshly the power placed in my hands.
for with the sense OF the great responsibility
MpOn me l shall approach this work a. though
Se we're 10 be the final act for which | shall
be Judged in the summing up OF my public
life.
Nv resolution offered by Representative
sherman OF New York the following House
officers were nominated:
Alexander Mcdowell. clerk; Frank b.
Lyon, dOorkeeper; Henry Casson, ergeant
az arms; r. 8. Langum. postmaster; the
Rev. Henry N. COuden, chaplain, and yOhn
II. Clancy, special employee. All OF these
nominees were officers Of the Fifty-ninth
Congress, with the exception Of Mr.. Langum.
who succeeds Joseph 9. McElroy deceased.
Mr.. Langum is from Minnesota. John T.
Clancy has been an employees Of the House
for hfty-One wears.
The Hon. Peter A. Porter. who defeated
the Hon. James W. Wadgworth for Congress
laak Fan, was turned down tonight by
Mr. Wadawcrth's former Republican col
IeaR1ea Of the House. Mr.. Porter had
A. o. 4