The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-02-21
TRIBUTE To CANNON
Names of Noted Men I'm House at
that Timc-Inident Which Occur
red During Spcech-Cannon Sur
renders Gavcl and Retires Much
Anected-Heonage Prosecutions Is
Subject OF Inquiry.


Washington. D. G., February 1s---
TniTTy-four years ago today Speaker
Cannon delivered his first speech IN
the house of representatives and the
anniversary was marked by a tribute
10 tl- speaker by Ar Boutel! OF Iili-
nois soou after thai body met today.
Mr. Rou:eil recalleI the noted men
Of the house at that time whose iri.nd
ship Mr.. Cannon enjoyed. among
them being Speaker B aine. Alex II.
Stevens of Georgia: l.. G Lamar OF
Mis- isssippi and Roger Q. Mills, OF
Texas.
Mr.. Routell said that MI Cannon,
then thirty-six years old, spoke on a
bill reducing rates of pretage on books
for the carrying free of newspapers
within the counties of their publica-
ton and for the extension of the frank
ing privilege to public correspondence
He made a carefully prepared, logical
argument in support of the bill, said
Mr. Boutell." reinforcing his PROPOSE
| tons by a wexford Tered array of con-
vincing figures"
Mr. Boutell spoke of a gibe by a
member directed at Mr.. Mr.. Cannon
! that the gentleman must have oats
n his pocket"
Mr.. Routell said tumultuous applause
greeted Mr. Cannonis retort when he
4
Yes I-have. oats in my pocket and
! hayseed IN my haid and the western
people generally are affected in the
same way; and we expect that the
! seed being good. will yield q good
crop, ]. trust tenfold; and the sooner
| Legislation is had not only as propos-
ed by this bill, but in all other res
poets as the people desire and equity
and justice shall dictate the better
Il hn in, fn,
! pie in this country whatever may be
their calling or wherever they may re-
side"
That Speech SAID Mr.. BoutelI,
| gave Mr.. Cannon position as one
/ Of the strong men in the house and
won for him the respect of his col
| leagues in both branches of cong
+ ress and of the leaders in official life. !"
Mr. Boutells remarks were pune
tua.e1 throughout with loud applause
! or t2a pa Of republicans and demo-
tcrat alike Upon the conclusion Of
Mr.. BcuteI's remarks the mouse and
= galleries. aS a unit, INDUCED in loud
! and continuous applause.
| Everybody stood up and cheere1
/ and continued the demands for a
speech until the speaker arose. Every
one expected him to say something
! in reply bat amid shrieks of laughter
/ New Hampshire Mr.. Sulloway, is rec
! ogniZed for the consideration of pen
sion bills"
/ Mr. Cannon turned the gravel over
to Mr.. CaprOn of Rhode island and
retired, visibly affected by the dem
1 onstration. "
Peonage prosecutions in the south
| were the subject of an inquiry today
| by the house committee on rules of
which Speaker Cannon Is the chair
man. The committee met to deter
mine what course should be pursued
with reference to 8. resolution by Rep
resentative Humphreys OF Mississippi,
caFing on the attorney general for a
full report on peonage cases and pros
ecutiOns in that state and the parts
played in them by Mrs. Quackenboss.
I OF New York, a government agent, and
special United States prosecutor Rus
! sell. Much of the information relat-
ing to the alleged cases of peonage on
Sunnyside farms, in Mississippi, was
gathered by Mrs. Quackenboss, and il
was presented to the grand jury by
Mr.. Russell. Though no indictments
were returned in this instance, much
newspaper publicity was give to the
charges and subsequently official no.
! tice was taken by the Italian govern
| ment.
! The committee on rules failed to
reach a decision as to whether the
resolution should be favorably or un-
| favOrably reported. The matter will
be further considered at another meet
ing