The National tribune., 1907-12-26
SPEAKER CANNoN,s CANDIDACY.


The development of the boom for
Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, may show
proportions this Winter which will as
tonish the professional politicians quite
as much as the movement for Hughes
has taken aback the bosses in New
York. For 40 years now Mr.. Cannon
has been steadily growing in public es-
| timation as the embodiment of our
strong American common sense and as
the ideal American. He commends him.
self to the people of the East as being
Westerner with all the vigor and
progress of the West, but free from the
fads and startling eccentricities which
too frequently are displayed by the
Western leaders. Mr.. Cannon has the
great advantage over all other candi-
dates in having been subjected to the
most thoro, searching trial. Not only
has he been prominent in the House of
Representatives during substantially the
whole period since the war, when pub
lie measures of the greatest moment
were taken, but he has been Speaker of
the House of Representatives for the
lasI two Congresses, and acquitted hint
self in that highly responsible and try
ing position to the immense satisfaction
of the country. He has made every
man in the country feel that he is one
to be trusted in any possible emergency.
This is an asset for public man of in
eStim1 HE V11Ila all thpca 1pnp rc
of public service there has never been
the shadow of charge against his in
tegrity. Public and private probity are
alike absolutely fiawless. No man in
the Nation is cleaner than he, and not
the slightest fear disturbs any admirer
as to possible disclosures.
The only argument that can be made
against him, and this is mainly from
the supporters of other candidates, is
his age. In the old countries this
would be treated with laughter. Men
much older than he are generally in
control of public affairs in Europe and
their vigor. supported by the wisdom
gained by long experience, is held to
render them the safest heads of States.
No man acquainted with the Speaker
will deny for a moment that he shows
vigor and alertness and prompt de-
cisiveness unsurpassed by himself at
any time in his previous career, or now
by any of his colleagues in the House
of Representatives In all these re-
spects he is ready match for any man |
in the distinguished body over which |
he presides, and this is demonstrated |
every day in the week
There is no reason apparent TO any
one why Uncle Joe should not dupli-
cate Gladstones career, who for so
many decades brilliantly managed the
public business of the colossal Empire
of Great Britain. He made possibly the
greatest official fight of his life in 1893,
when he was 80 years old. and van
quished all of his opponents. tho they
were the strongest men that the oppo-
sition party could pit against him.
Gladstone only retired from the pre-
when he was SO years old, and
then did it of his own volition when he
seemed still in the fulness of his powers
For several years afterwards he con-
tinued to be the leader of the people,
and in the excitement of the Armenian
in 1896, when he was Sc
years old, he demonstrated himself as
clearly Il leader as he had ever been.
Gladstone was SO when he died.
Uncle Joe Cannon has unique place
in the hearts of the people, and he
could arouse a sentiment and en1
thusiasm in many respects in which his
would be powerless.