The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1907-11-22
COL. HASKINS TO HIS CRITICS.
Facts About That Famous Washington Interview and the
Congressman's Presidential Attitude.

ments in the next congress, for ] have
always been more than well favored IN
that respect. Speaker Cannon is an ex'
cellent Judge OF men; he studies the mem
bership of the house aud Tor responsible
positions he wants men Of honesty, abil'
ity and courage, | have often heard him
say that man without a good backbone
had no business IN congress, One who
knows him well would make a serious mis-
take in patting him ON the back with the
expectation of securing lavors thereby,
That ! am not alone IN my estimate OF
him in being Of presidential size ] quote
from reported interview IN the Wash
ngton Post OF Oct. oath had with MAJOR
John +, Lacey, of Iowa, who retired from
congress last March after ~ years
doubt, would like to see President
didate for the presidency is Uncle Joe
Cannon. He has more common sense
than anybody in America. To those who
do not know him his age might initiate
against him, but TO those who do know
him that makes no difference, because
they know that he is much younger IN
spirit than years. He is absolutely hon,
est and knows more about the running OF
this government than any other eandi'
date" Certainly in this MAJOR Lacey
could not be bidding for good commit
tee assignment. This same feeling, TO a
great extent, prevails among men all
over the country who know Mr.. Cannon
aud the other candidates mentioned. In
saving what | did about Uncle Joe IN
the reported interview | did not pretend
10 speak for Vermont, but Tor myself
alone, and ] know the man as | have also
an acquaintance with the Others except
Governor Hughes. Neither have | ever
claimed that Mr.. Cannon would receive
the nomination, but If the president adj
heres to his declaration made ON election
night | predict that Speaker Cannon Will
become an important factor IN the IA
tional convention.
| want to say further, that in the re,
ported interview | do not think ! used
the word conservative at all, certainly
not as applied to candidates nor In the
sense OF maintaining or adhering TO OLD
policies in the administration OF the gov.
eminent. but in continuing the policies OF
the present administration IN the enforce.
ment of the laws against individuals and
corporations who violate them with q
firm hand and in an effective manner,
which can be done quietly through the
department OF justice and without the
sound of trumpets. What ] did say with
reference to the president lying awake
nights deyising schemes in aid of the peo-
pie of the country was intended as
compliment TO his honesty sincerity and
integrity of purpose, and IN no spirit o.
criticism only in so far as he would
stretch the constitution by Judicial con,
struction to secure the end sought.
know the president very well, probably
much better than do my critics, and |
1 ~
for him personally and for the great oil
fee he occupies During nay service IN
congress | have never been elassed as an
"insurgent. but on the contrary am rec
ognized as one of the administration
as | have supported and
voted for every pending bill when before
the house known as an administration
measure. In one instance ! differed from
the president as to the provisions and de-
tails of a certain bill that had much to
do in framing. In an open letter he helu
up the committee that voted to report
that bill to ndeserved censure, and Tor
that | took occasion to publicly critleise
him and TO Justify my own action, and
had | not done it ] would have been false
TO myself and to my constituents who had
honored and trusted me. On my return
to Washington from Vermont ! found
that during my absence he had ad-
dressed second letter to the. chairman
of our committee stating, in short, that
he had been misinformed and wrote his
first letter under a Misrepresentation OF
the exact terms of the bill. This cores
pondence is a matter of record and l am
well content.
II is common knowledge that the house
under the leadership of Speaker Cannon
gives the president, as a general thing,
Whatever he wants, but it is in the sen
ate where he runs against stumbling
blocks in matters of legislation. With
the Argus { Patriot let me say, | am not
found on the fence; and to conclude |
want to say to Brother Whitney OF the,
Mortified News that the harrow
which he seems to think | am under is
wholly toothless so far as ] am con
Kittredge Haskins.