The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-02-19

Uncle Joe First Addressed House
Thirty-four Years Ago.
EVENT HAPPILY RECALLED

Boutell Of illinois, in Neat Tribute
to Speaker, Reads Extracts From
Maiden Address Amid United APP
plause of Floor and Galleries.
Washington, Feb. 19.-Thirty-fo
years ago Speaker Cannon delivered
his first speech in the house of rep
resentatives and the anniversary was
marked by tribute to the speaker by
Mr.. Boutell of Illinois. Mr.. Boutell
recalled the noted men of the house
at that time, whose friendship Mr..
Cannon enjoyed, and in referring to
the speakers speech said that these
men were present and heard his re-
marks. Mr.. Boutell said that Mr..
Cannon, then thirty-six years old,
spoke on bill reducing rates of
postage on books, for the carrying
free OF newspapers within the coun-
ties. of their publication and for the
extension Of the franking privilege to
public correspondence "He made a
carefully prepared, logical argument
in support of the BILL" said Mr.. Bou-
tell, reinforcing his propositions by a
we'll ordered array of convincing fig
ures. 1t was a speech that could only
have been made after hard work and
thorough preparation" Several ex-
tracts Of the speech were read by Mr..
Boutell, who spoke of a gibe by a
member directed at Mr.. Cannon that
1.-The gentleman must have oats in his
pocket"
Mr.. Boutell said that tumultuous
applause greeted Mr.. Cannon's retort,
when he said:
Il understand the gentleman. Yes,
I have oats in my pocket and hayseed
IN my hair and the Western people
generally are affected in the same
way; and We expect that the seed,
being good, will yield a good crop. I
trust tenfold; and the sooner legisla-
tion is had, not only as proposed by
This bill, but in all other respects as
the people desire and equity and JUS
tice shall dictate, the better it will be
in the long run for all people in this
country, whatever may be their call
ing or wherever they may reside"
Beginning of Great Career.
"rhat Speech" said Mr.. Boutell,
gave MI. Cannon position as one of
the strong men in the house and won
for him the respect of his colleagues
in both branches of congress and of
the leaders in official life" The oats
that Mr. Cannon sowed, said Mr.. Bou-
tell, were not wild oats "and they
have yielded him generous and rich
returns"
Mr.. Boutell referred to the steady
strides made by Mr.. Cannon during
his service as member of the house,
res ulting in his election three times
as speaker, and in conclusion said:
'The people Of his district have
conferred upon him all the honors
that are in their gift to bestow, sin
gle handed and alone. And the thought
| that comes to my mind on this ami
versary of our country colleagues
| first triumph in this house-a triumph
won in the interest of the workers of
the country-is simply this: How
gladly within the next few months
the other plain people who live on
farms or work in mines or shops will
join the voters of his district to re-
ward this, their faithful servant, who
went forth in their cause thirty-four
years ago with oats in his pocket and
returned bringing his sheaves with
him, by comforting upon him the ma
TONS final honor"
! Mr.. Boutell's remarks were punctu-
ated throughout with loud applause on
the part of Republicans and Demo
Gratis alike. The first mention by him
of Speaker Cannons name caused a
demonstration. Mr.. Cannon occupied
the chair and seemed taken complete
ly by surprise. Upon the conclusion
of Mr.. Boutells remarks the house
and galleries, as unit, INDUCED in
loud and continued applause and de-
mands for speech by the speaker.
The latter did not respond, but called
for the order of business