The Washington times., 1907-12-01
CentraliZati0nOfPOWer
to Be Resisted, Says
Cannon.
Tells Republicans De-
YelOpment of COun-
try Is in Infancy.

In accepting his nomination for
/ the SpeakerShip Of the House by the
Republican caucus last night, JoSeph
10. Cannon said things that sounded
to his hearers ike a warning to the
Administration that the Republicans
in the House will resist any further
efforts at Capitalization of power in
! the Federal Government.
The sentences that were inter
lpreted as . warning to the White
House were as follows:
''In my judgment, it is no. wise to
] increase the revenues Of the Gov
eminent, nor is it necessary or ad-
visable 70 transfer burdens from
the local and State treasures 10 the
Federal TreasuFy-to foster a cen
trailing power and responsibility,
which, of necessity, develops quite
fast enough.
We have been admonished by
events that IL is not a time for ex-
travaganee or excursions into TIE
realm Of experiment n legislation.
Hold to Principles.
ut is my personal Judgment that
we should hold fast the principles
laid dowE by the fathers; that the
Federal Government is one of limit
ed powers. but supreme where it
has jurisdiction, and that we should
leave to the people Of the State the
/, jurisdiction not granted to the Fed
eral Government and also leave
upon them the responsibility and
burden Of taxation for the same
The speech, nominating Mr.. Cannon,
vas made by MI. Boutwell, OF Illinois,
NJ. Cannon was escorted from the
! Speakers room to the rostrum Of the
House, where the caucus was held, by
a committe, OF which Representative
Frank d. Currier, Of New Hampshire.
was Chairman
After the cries OF Uncle Joer'
'.FIurrah!'' and Bravo had died
6o7ra sufficiently for him to make him
self heard, Mr.. Cannon made a brief
I speech OF acceptance Of the Office OF
! Speaker Of the House.
Meet to Organize.
Among other things. he said:
we have met 10 exercise the right
of the majority 10 organize the House
/ Of Representatives. and we must face
the responsibility that goes with the
privilege We must face il without re-
gard 10 the past. The recent shock to
business that has arrested commerce
2dmonished rs TO approach cur task
with soberness and courage, FOR We are
to be judged by the work OF the pres
ent. not by the record Of the past
I'VE are not going TO secure perfec-
ton in legislation and administration in
a day. Law is not alone in the letter
it is IN the spirit OF the people. In many
sO-called republics there Is the shadow
or constitutional authority without the
substance OF either constitution or law
BY amendment and otherwise the
Fifty-ninth Congress enacted much OF
new legislation which IS 10 be tried
AMI tested Supplemental legislation
may be necessary. but it should be en-
acted in the spirit OF justice and not OF
retaliation Of. revenge We are to exer-
else power with care that it be not FOR
the mere exhibition of strength without
the restraint Of caution against injUs-
tice-
Development IN Infancy.
IN providing for the public service
during the Sixteth Congress we shouIo
bear in mind that the development Of
the country, marvellous as il IS, is SIN
IN its infancy. The future viii witness
a development and growth more Won
derful 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 Government as they are presented
I'VE hear much Of the power OF the
people above and beyond parties; but
4 responsibility for error is never divided.
You have for the third time honoreI
me with the nomination as Speaker
accept this as a duty. as well as an
honor-a duty TO the membership Of the
House and 10 the country in organizing
this body for effective work. I shah as
sumo this Office, not as a personal
privilege, but as grave responsibility.
well knowing that you and the country
will rightly place that responsibility
upon my shoulders hope to discharge
the duty devolved upon me generally to
your satisfaction, though to no man is
given the wisdom Of recognizing the fun
ability of each member OF this body.
and even If It were, it is only IN the
great committee Of the whole House
t|at all can find work fitting to their
energies and capabilities.
I may make errors Of judgment, but
I hope TO be acquitted OF any desire or
intention 10 use seiashly the power
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