The Washington herald., 1908-05-08
SPEAKER CANNON 72
So Democrats Hang Up Their
House FilibuSter,
SPEAKS TO THEM VERY SOFTLY
Uncle Joe, on Anniversary of His
Birth, Is HOnOred by Illinois Dele
gatiOR-House Cheers His Speech.
Gets Seventy-twO Big Red Roses.
Isn't Really Old or Very Young.

/ / ne tdOHoTdDle speaker OF the House o.
Representatives. who happens to be Mr.
Joseph G. Cannon. of Danville. H.. JUS
made a few gesticulations yesterday after
noon in front of the watching eyes of the
| members OF that House. spoke a few
words into their wide-opened ears, and
the Demoratic flibuster took wings like q
press agents busy fancy.
Mr. Cannon wasn't really seventy-twC
years old, although the family Bible might
say so; nor yet was he seventy-two years
young. He was just seventy-two years
normal. and he showed il in the way ht
spoke to a House that hasn't been acting
with the doclity of a well-spanked babe
for several weeks.
To begin with, Mr.. Cannon had forgot.
ten all about May being such a curious
thing as a birthday and he wasn't at
all conscious, of course. that 1t was his
seventy-second birthday But after the
Hon. Henry Sherman Boutell also of ILL.,
nois. had casually informed Mr.. Joseph
G. Cannon that some one who wasn't a
file away was now seventy-two years old
the Speaker woke up TO the fact in
earnest
Bringing in the Sheaves.
About o'clock the members OF the iii
nois delegation invaded the Speakers S
room, bearing with them large-sized and
well-selected portions of congra atulations,
as well as seventy-two unsurpassed Amer
lean Beauty roses.
Mr.. Cannon made them quite a little
speech. but il wasn't really a circum-
stance to what he said afterward in the
House when the vote was half through
on motion to go into recess.
Mr. Champ Clark. Of Missouri. who
may yet be Speaker himself. II there is
a Democratic House, and who is at pres
ent, in the absence of Minority Leader
John Sharp Williams. the acting war
chief of the belligerent Democratic IN
dians interrupted the monotonous call Of
the clerk with:
Mr.. Speaker. a parliamentary inquiry.
Mr.. Cannon, with his usual courtesy.
politely requested that the gentleman
state it. The gentleman stated il as fol-
lows:
rs not this the anniversary OF the
birthday OF the Speaker Of the House?"
Mr.. Joseph G. Cannon said then that
he didn't want to have a roll call inter-
rupted, but that II the House would for
give it he might truthfully say that he
mad heard some rumOrs TO the effect
that he was seventy-two years old just
about that time
what MIR. Cannon said.
After thanking Mr.. Clark, the Speaker
proceeded into one Of the speeches for
which he is famous 1T is some COM
pensation for being seventy-two,' he
said. that friends recollect the birth
day anniversary with kind words and
thoughts Many years Of service in the
House Of Representatives authorize me
to state that so far as I know or believe
there is no greater legislative body than
these which constitute the Congress Of
the United states.
In flbustering times We occasionally
have something of temper, something Of
feeling. In all contests be-
tween virile men the controversies are
sharp: and as ours is a government
through parties, there is political game
10 play for advantage IN approaching
campaigns.
But be 1t said that. while We are par
dsans in the country and partisans in the
House, We are all citizens of the same
and on each side OF the center
aisle there is integrity, fidelity, and pa
.riOusm. And one Of the things notice
able in the House and one Of the things
belonging 10 our civilization here in the
United States. is that in our own contests
10 not strike below the belt
Macon Is Moved.
The Speakers remarks put everybody
n good humOr. and Representative Ma
,on, OF Arkansas. was so affected that he
moved that In consideration of the fact
that this is the Speakers birthday the
roll call be dispensed with" The mo-
ion carried by unanimous consent Thus
vas the Democratic filibuster broken for
he first time since Minority Leader John
Sharp Williams announced his purpose
10 force the Republicans to do some
thing"