The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-18

both parties, and he has that rare wis
dom that comes from long experience
in public life, innumerable conflicts
that left no trace of bitterness, and
constant contact with the great minds
of his age. We have had many illus
trious speakers, Clay, Blaine, Carlisle,
Reed, any one of whom would have
adorned the presidential office, but in
practical wisdom, knowledge of the
needs of the government, and in
fiuence with his associates, no one of
them equa1led Speaker Cannon, Illi-
nois' candidate for the presidency.
The reasons given by his opponents
why Speaker Cannon should not be
president are the very reasons which
commend him for the office. I'm
thinking critics lightly condemn him
and his associates in the national leg
islature for what they have not done.
They do not stop to consider that
while it is the privilege of all citizens
to suggest what congress should do,
it is the stern duty of that body to ap-
propriate according to the revenues
and legislate according to the consti-
tuition, Speaker Cannon has been CEN
sured and abused almost as severely
as were Washington, Lincoln and Nc
Kinley. And for what? For doing his
duty. In the face of censure and
abuse, he has gone on with unf1inch
ing courage and joyous serenity doing
tie TISuL DIS 1t WAS given UlI1 10 see
the right, using his influence to stem
the tide of wasteful appropriations
and to prevent the passage of i'll con-
sidered measures of doubtful consti-
nationality. History will do full JUS
tice to Speaker Cannon's wisdom and
courage and posterity will extol his
virtues. But why should we leave this
pleasant task to posterity? Why not
be just and fair ourselves, and fore
stall the magnanimity of the histor-
ians? Why not give to Speaker Can
non now his well-earned reward, so
that he, as well as posterity, can en-
joy it?
His Official Record.
Again, the fierce light that beats
upon a presidential candidate will dis
close in Speaker Cannon's entire Off
cial record the dominating influence of
honesty and sincerity. those rugged
traits of character that the American
people demand in their public servants
1t will also show that his private life
is ennobled by those fireside virtues
that endear great statesman to all
good men and women of our land.
The next president will appoint many
United States judges, and in all prob
ability, majority of the supreme
court, the last bulwark of our national
institutions. Speaker Cannon's legal
training and high regard for the jul
dietary as an independent, coordinate
branch of the government give assur-
ance that these appointments will con-
tinue to be made with an eye single to
the maintenance of the lofty standard
of learning and purity of character
that has distinguished our federal
judges In the past.
Legislation of the highest import
ance will demand the attention of all
branches of the government in the next
administration. During recent years,
the people have given their approval to
a wide extension of the scope of ma
tional legislation. The Republican
party has promptly met the wishes OF
the people The president has recon-
mended and congress has passed in the
last five years many laws of far-reach-
ing Importance designed to meet with
new remedies conditions that have
arisen from our rapid industrial de-
velopment. Each of these laws bears
the signature of the speaker, and many
of them have the special imprint of
his wisdom and experience. During the
last day of the last session of congress
two measures were passed that have
received unstinted praise. One law
makes the United States liable for in
| iuries sustained by laborers and other
employees of the government engaged in
extra hazardous work The other pro-
vides for an emergency currency to
move our great crops in the south and
west. The first is a long delayed meas
ure of simple justice; the other a wise
| financial precaution. Obstructionists
| in the house and senate nearly defeat
ed both of these measures. That they
are on the statute books today is due
mainly to the unyielding determination
and the wise parliamentary generaiship
of Speaker Cannon. These same at
tributes he will take with him to the
president he will show the same wis
dom in dealing with the le1fsIativa