The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-20
CANNON NOT LOVED
AS IN OLDEN DAYS
His Popularity Has Been Much
On the Decline During
The Past Year.
sPEAKERSHIP RESPONSIBLE
OPPOSITION OF HOUSE TO RoosE-
WELT MEASURES STARTS HIM
ON ToBoGGAN- WASHINGTON
GOSSIP.

Washington, Sept. 19.-Joseph G..
Cannon, of Illinois, probably is glad
he is not the republican candidate for
president. He has a whole peck OF
trouble on his hands trying to secure
he a candidate for the higher Office
the opposition would be multiplied a
hundred fold. Mr.. Cannon expected,
of course that the American Fedora
ton of Labor would try to convince
the voters of the Eighteenth Illinois
district that Uncle Joe" was not a
proper man to represent them in con-
gress, but it is not likely he vas pre-
pared for the opposition of the Meth
odist general conference.
This is not the first time that the
labor unions have fought Cannon.
They did it two years ago, but his
constituents returned him to the Goth
congress. AS he has not changed his
attitude toward union labor since the
last congressional election, he had no
reason to expect labor had changed its
attitude toward him. The Methodists
are not opposing Cannon because he
"cusses" as might be supposed, but
because of his opposition to the bill
PREVENTING the shipment of liquor into
states that have prohibition laws. An
effort to pass the bill at the last ses-
sion of congress failed, and Cannon is
bearing the brunt of the anger of the
temperance people. Despite the OPP
position of labor and the Methodists
Cannon probably will be elected, but
he is not enjoying the peace and Sc
curity in Office which old age and long
service might seem to warrant.
In many ways Mr.. Cannon has found
the speakership a disappointment. 1t
has served to increase his fame and
popularity. At the time he became
speaker there probably was no more
popular a in America than Uncle.
Joe' Cannon. His unique personality
and remarkably efficient service at the
head of the house committee on ap-
preparations had made him widely
known. Cannon stories always repre-
scented him as a plain farmer who
loved green corn better thai anything
on earth except poker, who wore home
spun clothes and hated luxury as the
devil hates holy water. 1t was not un-
til Cannon became speaker that the
country generally learned that he was
a millionaire, that he was as familiar
with the feel of broadcloth Is Of home
spun, and that his mode of life did
not deprive wholly of the good things
which money will buy.
1t Is not likely that the discovery OF
these facts seriously hurt Cannon's
fame. 1t was never charged that his
money had been dishonesty acquired,
and Americans have never regarded
the mere making of a fortune as a
sinful thing. 1t was not until some OF
President Roosevelt's legislative mea-
sures were defeated in the house that
Cannon began to be severely criticized.
Critics declared that the scheme of
house organization stood in the way of
progressive legislation, and though
Cannon was the creature and not the
creator of the house organization, 1t
came to be known as Cannonism and
as such was roundly denounced. For
the past year Cannon's popularity
has been on the %toboggan and this
year will probably see tho hardest
fight he has eyer had TO retain his
seat in congress.
The White house Is being gotten
ready for the last winter of occupancy
by Mr.. Roosevelt and his family. Not
a great deal except painting will be
done. AS the present incumbents Will
occupy the mansion but little more
than five months, the president order.
cd that no extensive changes be made.
He preferred that either Judge Taft
or Mr.. Bryan fix things up to suit
himself after March 4 next. Mr..
Roosevelt prefers, Of course, that
Judge Taft be the one to have the
ordering of things. but that particu-
lar preference did not enter into plans
for White House betterments.
Mr.. Roosevelt during tho seven
years of his occupancy Of the White
House has caused more changes to be
made in the mansion than did n of
his predecessors. There has been
some criticism in congress OF White
House expenditures, out no visitor 20
the White House can deny that the
changes have been for the better.
The question Of a new form of gov
eminent for the District of Columbia
has finally broken into politics. The
District democratic association favors
one-man rule and argument for legisla-
ton providing such a government wa
heartily cheered at a recent meeting.
The Washington Post has been con-
Quoting a vigorous campaign against
the present commission government
and has succeeded in storing up a lot
Of sentiment on the subject. While
it is well known the Posts interest
in the matter is o wholly unselfsh,
idea Of a government headed by a gov
ernor instead of three commissioners
seems to be popular. The Post tool
up the crusade for 8 change as a result
Of the gas fight Of last winter. John
r. Mclean. who owns the Post, also
controls the gas supply of the Dis trict