The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-08
He Will Once More Rule Su-
preme as Speaker of
National House.
HIS JOB SOUGHT BY OTHERS
SEVERAL coNGREsSMEN iNcLUD-
ING BURTON, FOWLER AND
TAWNEY WOULD TAKE PLACE
-"LAME DUCKS" NEED AID.
Spe cia1 to Palladium

ment or members or congress VINO
have come to town since election that
'Uncle Joe" Cannon's reelection as
speaker of the house cannot be pre-
vented. In other words, the republi-
can majority in the house is larger
than the number of anti-Cannon re-
publicans; at least larger than the
number Of republicans who have suf-
ficient backbone to stand out and
make a fight against the speaker.
Whether there will be any organized
attempt by republicans to defeat Can
non remains to be seen. There prob
ably will be. as not a few of the re-
publican members-elect are pledged to
the constituencies to vote against
him. There are a number of repub-
licans willing to make the race against
Cannon, provided there is any pros
pect of success. Representative Fow-
Ter, of New Jersey, CHAIRMAN of the
committee on banking and currency,
has announced himself candidate for
the speakership, but his candidacy is
not likely to be taken seriously by a
large number of his colleagues. In
deed, il the Cannon forces control the
organization of the next house, Mr..
Fowler is very likely to lose his chair
manship. Two other speakership pos
sibilities are Theodore f. Burton of
Ohio and Judge Walter Smith of Iowa.
Unless Mr. Burton should be elected
the successor Of Senator Foraker he
would stand good chance of being the
'insurgent" candidate for speaker
should the Cannon opposition go to
the extent of naming candidate.
1t is known that Mr.. Burton harbors
sneakership aspirations, and were
there any promising prospects of his
succeeding Cannon he very likely
would get out of the senatorial race.
Should neither the speakership nor
the senatorship come to him, it is ac-
copied belief he will have place in
Taft's cabinet or get desirable diplo-
matte post
In connection with the speakership
the name of "Jim'' Tawney of Mime
scta. at present chairman of the house
committee on appropriations. has been
much discussed lately AS Tawney is
hard and fast Cannon man and one
of the present speakers most trusted
lieutenants, 1t is not to be supposed
that he would become a party to any
attempt to overthrow Cannon. But
should it appear that Cannon could
not be elected, Tawney would be a
very acceptable compromise candi-
date.
The New York legislature being
safely republican, there is going to be
a mighty interesting fight for the SEN
atorial seat now held by Thomas c..
Plat If the Roosevelt influence were
sufficiently potent to dictate the selec-
tion of the next senator from New
York, the choice undoubtedly would
fall to Elihu Root. secretary of state.
But, while the president was able to
force the party leaders in New York
to renominate Governor Hughes, there
is considerable doubt whether he could
control the legislature. When the leg
islature meets. Mr. Roosevelt will be
very nearly at the end Of his term OF
Office and about to depart on years
absence from the country. The legis-
lature, therefore, is likely to insist
upon making it's own choice for SEN
ator.
If Mr.. Root is the presidents first
choice for the senatorship, undoubtedly
has last choice is former Governor
Frank s. Black, who has been one Of
the most caustic critics of the admin
istration. Yet Black is candidate for
senator and will have considerable
following in the legislature. Whitelaw
Reid, ambassador to Great Britain,
also is understood to aspire to Platt's
seat, and among others mentioned
are Timothy L. Woodruff and ]. Sloat
Fassett.
When Judge Taft becomes president
one of his first duties will be to care
for considerable number of lame
ducks" who were victims of some of
the mysterious phases of the election.
Quite a number of prominent party
workers, having been repudiated by
their constituents. will be relief. The
friends of some are already busy pitch
ing out desirable berths for them. For
instance. > Representative Charlie
Lands. of Indiana. who was badly
mangled at the polls. is being doomed
for public printer. Lands is chairman
of the house committee on printing, is
practical printer himself, and knows
a lot about the workings of the big
government print shop. He will have
lot of congressional support for the
place.
A twice-lamed duck is James T. Nc
Cleary. After long and rather con-
spicuous service in the house, he was
defeated two years ago. President
Roosevelt felt sorry and appointed him
second assistant postmaster general.
McCleary thought he saw opportunity
to regain his congressional seat, re-
signed the job and made the race again
this year. Again he was defeated I'm
doubtedly his friends will endeavor to
have him cared for. but the new ad-
ministration may not be able to see it
that way. especially as Mr. McCleary is
a tariff stand-patter of the most pro-
nounced type.
Washington was much Interested by
the news that Governor Cummins of
IL