The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-22
UNCLE JOE TALKS.
The Speakers Entertaining In
teryiew With Correspondent.
Works in Midsummer at Home
in lDanyille
ON PUBLIC BUSINESS.
Called Upon Frequently for Ad-
vice and Suggestions.
His Views on the Issues OF the
Present Campaign.
REFERS TO MIR. BRYAN
Calls Him "First Among Those
Exalted, Wise and
ELOQUENT Men Who Annually
Delight Us at Chautauquas.

Danville. Ill, Aug. LIT was a
Sold thing to do, even with the ad-
vantage of years of friendly associa-
ton to back me up, but as 1 sat in the
library of Mr.. Speaker Cannon 1
pumped the question squarely at the
venerable hard-headed statesman:
"Mr. Speaker, you are charged by
q generous portion of the public press
of the United States with being a re-
dictionary and of always having been
opposed to the carrying out of the
Roosevelt policies. VIII you answer
that charge for me?"
The speaker leaned back in his
chair just across the great flat-top
library table, and looked at me in
such a cuizzical way 1 was certain he
would answer with vigor and
aggressiveness characteristic of his
rugged character.
My boy Gin tone of affection).
I guess that may be so. Without any
desire on my part to have a presi-
Dental; nomination. my friends in
Illinois put my name before the Re-
publican national convention when
several other men were seeking the
high honor. Several men had the
bee and naturally they sought for
real or supposed objections to my
NdUuludCN. anu lTtN SdlQ L was d re-
dictionary. l have only to say that
the legislation of the last ten years
and the appropriations to enforce the
legislation of the last five years re-
ceived my hearty support as a mem
Der Of the house and as its speaker.
As a member and as speaker of the
house ] gave support to legislation of
far-rcaching importance. including
the so-called EIkins rebate legislation
the employees liability bill, the legisla
tion of the last congress looking to the
further safety of and proper protec-
tion Of railroad employees, notably the
so-called ashpan bill. and. in fact. all
the legislation enacted recently had
the hearty support of the Republi-
cans of the house of representatives
and of its speaker.
Ifooscveh's Commendation of House.
THAT this is true is shown by the
commendation of the president him
self, who in a letter written to Repre-
sentative James f. Watson of In
diana, approved the record of the
house of representatives and the
legislation it enacted. This quite gives
the lie to our friends the Democrats,
VINO ignorantly or maliciously criticfse
the speaker and the majority of the
house of representatives.. In connec-
tton with the record made by the Re-
publican majority in the house I es-
pecially desire to commend the val
hthbit anu ClltCllNt WOTk or Repre-
sentative James A. Tawney, chairman
OF the great appropriations COMMITTEES
and Representative John J. Jenkins of
Wisconsin, chairman of the judiciary
committee. In fact 1 may say, touch
ing the whole record, especially of the
last three congresses that the Re-
publican majority is entitled to com
mendation generally for it's valuable
record touching legislation and appro-
prlations for the public service"
Speaker in Genial Mood.
The speaker seemed in fine fettIe
Inc DAY outside was intensely warm
! BEFORE noon the thermometer haf
climbed above the 30 mark and tb.
sun seemed to beat down pitilessIv or
the broad paved streets in front Of RI,
old-fashioned and elegant mansion
where the head of the Republican ma.
rIGkes his home with his son-in-Iaw
Ernest LIE Seuer
Ihe speakers portion of the house /,
10 the left of the central entrance hall
reached from broad veranda. corn
1ortably furnished and covered witt
small reception hall. and Just back n
that his bed chamber and bath fur
nished neatly, but with the simplici :,
OF Trappist monk. Off the recentIoI
room Is the speakers library and work
room- There the walls are lined will
book shelves and the top of each cas-,
is covered with cartoons bits Of ar
from pen, brush or pencil. and curio
or mementoes collected in differnt mart,
OF the country or presented by admir-
ing friends.
Uncle Joe's Mild Clears
The speaker did not seem 70 min,
the neat. He tilted, his chair hack :,
a comfortable angle and puffed rnn6i
tauvely on a good cigar He had inc
lunched and seemed at peace With ~
world. ii III
Right here let me correct n :,o,u1,
Impression that the speaker a1wav
smokes a long black cigar. which re
semoles nothing so much as a niece n
tarred rope. That is the popular idea
but today l saw him smoke little do
mestic cigars of the panatella shane
that looked mild and innocuous an,
whose odor was most enticinp an,
summer brand" he explained. as h
passed the box over to me TaLin,
advantage of his apparent good humo
and his kindly disposition toward ms
hazarded another leading and per
sonal question.
Mr.. Speaker, you are also called
car. and an element of the publi
press holds you Up as the one all pow
erful influence in the house of repre-
sentatives who thwarts the will of tn
people and arbitrarily decides wha
legislation shall be considered an
passed in the great popular branch G
the national congress"