The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-19
MIR. CANNON.

III view OF the many and continued
long range Misrepresentation about
Speaker Cannon the following from the
washington Star of October Is, is in
teresting and worthy of the careful
notation and consideration of all who
would be fair and want facts upon
which to base their views. especially
as the editorial is from an Independ-
ent newspaper of high standing and
reliability whose reporters and editors
nave been in constant touch for years
with the daily work and actions of Mr..
cannon in the city where the pa
per is printed and where the speaker
speaks and acts:
II is not surprising to hear that the
opponents of Mr.. Cannon have overshot
the mark. and that another Republi-
can triumph in the Eighteenth Illinois
district is likely.
eastern readers acquainted with the
speaker have been unable to digest
much OF the news laid before them
from his baihwick. How such a man
could have become the object of such
attacks has puzzled them. They have
not regarded him as faultless by any
means. They know him for a plain,
downright, unconventional man, clear
OF head and stout of heart, brusque at
times and believer in short cuts, but
never car, or conspirator against
popular rights. His course in the chair
mas impressed them as being that of
man inclined to do right and with
excellent capacity for appraising the
right. They have marveled. therefore,
at the efforts to disparage him both as
an official and as man.
LAS the Star some weeks ago point
ed out, Mr.. Cannon as speaker has act
ed by the authority and with the ap-
prevail of his party. The rules he has
administered are of Republican origin
and have twice been Endorsed by the
Democratic party. While Judge Crisp
was in the chair he found them exact
~ to his taste, and conducted the busi-
ness of the house under them with
great relish. And it is a safe bet, at
hundred to one, that If the Democrats
control the next house the existing
modified. Authority is absolutely nee
essary in directing the affairs of so
large a body, and experienced Demo-
Gratis appreciate the fact as much as
experienced Republicans.
"A czar in the house chair is not pos
sible under the present rules. The man
who Yields the gavel is never more
than the servant of the house. He fol-
lows a chart which the house has
adopted, and If he departs from 1t in
any oppressive way those who have
conferred authority upon him can re-
Jority party in the house is always
the houses master. 1t can change the
rules at any time, and in grave stu
alton justifying the act depose a speak
er.
The man Cannon described by his
more rabid opponents in this campaign
is not known here. The man who is
known here might safely rest his reply
upon his standing with the leaders of
the Democratic party with whom when
congress is in session he is in daily
communion. They are not his enemies,
but his friends. They admire him, and
have often testified to that feeling. Mr..
Williams of Mississippi, or Mr.. Clark of
Missouri, or Mr.. James of Kentucky, or
Mr.. Livingston of Georgia, might go
into Mr.. Cannon's district and speak
against his reelection. but not on the
ground that as a man he is unworthy
of his place. Their personal relations
with him are cordial, and they consider
him both a strong and fair fighter.
This veteran of thirty years In the
congressional field has done many good
things for his party and for the coun-
try. Undoubtedly he has made some
mistakes. But who has not? Taking
his services one and all. he is enti-
tied to the eminence and influence he
has attained in public AFFAIRS