The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-30
Congressman Victor Murdoch
Explains His Position.
Arbitrary Power CT Speaker Is
What He Opposes.
HOPES FOR NO GAIN.
No Aspirations for Committee
Assignments or to Be Leader.
Little l. likelihood That Cannon
Will Be Dethroned.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 30.-When
Congressman Victor Murdoch reached
Washington a few days ago he at once
limbered up his ordnance to answer
ing the Cannonade of the opposition
He has long been against the manner
in which Speaker Cannon and his
committee on rules have handled
legislation, and never hesitates to
voice his antagonism. Victor is far
from being a coward or one who
wishes to be held in submission; he
has an l"iron rail- for a backbone,
and talks right out his opinions.
In speaking of the election of the next
speaker. he said:
Every man who goes into this con-
test against the present speaker of the
house and the present manner of
procedure, which concentrates all the
power of the house in one, man, will
have a rocky road to travel.
Every individual who expects to
prosper through the exercise of
ordinary subserviency and flattery.
congress is an important committee
assignment. will remain awake nights
to cast ridicule upon the group of
men who really believe that the house
of representatives has lost its repre-
sentative function, and that the most
important single public service pos
sibae today would be a restoration in
some measure, of initiative and in
dependence to the helpless individual
on the floor who does not care to go,
hat in hand, to the speaker. or one of
a few chairmen, before he can dis
charge with effect his duties to his
constituency.
1.-The public demand against arbi-
trary power in the hands of the
speaker, and for a change in the rules
to curb that power in the present
speaker and his successors, may be
slight at this time, but before the
passage of another two years. it will
be a national storm that will make
all men take notice. The contortion
of the rules at the last session of con-
gress. by which debate was limited,
and by which also amendment was
forbidden, was an outrage upon the
American people. 1t was a forward
step in depriving the house of liber-
ties, and is sign of further re-
strictive measures which may follow.
unless the American people protest.
81 am against the speakers re-
election and against the rules, and am
for their modification, whether he is
reelected or not. I think the first
move of those in the house who are
opposed to the speaker and the rules
Will be fight to make the committee
on rules larger and to take it away
from the speaker by making it cleo
tive by the house itself
81 have no aspirations for anv com
mittee assignments. nor to become a
leader in the house. All desire to
do as a member of congress is to
serve my constituents as well as pos
Murdoch and Reeder are probably
the only members of the Kansas
delegation who will oppose Cannon
for speaker.
As members of congress arrive in
Washington day by day the tentative
contest over the speakership is be-
ginning to pass from a simmer to A
boil. It simmered for a week: it will
boil during the last week before con-
gress meets, and for some time there
after. Then everything will denend
on the manifestation which shall come,
from the camp of the incoming adj
miniStration.
Among the people who have come to
Washington thus far, the sentiment is
decidedly bearish on any proposition Of
defeating the speaker. Even among
men who would like to see a change
the feeling is strong that his defeat is
likely to prove impossible. 1t is pretty
definitely understood that President
Roosevelt, who is no more fond of
Speaker Cannon than is Mr.. Taft. feels
that 1t is very doubtful whether the
Burton announcement from Hot
Springs was good politics. The presi-
dent has way of figuring out care
fully the chances of winning before he
projects himself into fights. In this
case ne feels, as do many of the ins1r-
gent members of the house, that VIC
tory in a contest against Cannon is
most uncertain. and that defeat in such
a contest would be extremely unfortu-
nate.
1t is now apparent that not many
days will elapse before something
definite will have to be determined
about this fight. Mr.. Taft has never
said he proposed to fight the speaker.
The Burton statement specifically indf-
Gated that it presented the views of Mr.
Burton rather than those of Mr.. Taft
The circumstances of it's issuance. i'm
mediately after Mr.. Burton had come
from long talk with the PRESIDENT
elect, gave it the special significance
which otherwise it could not have car
ried. Even in making his statement.
Mr.. Burton said he was a candidate for
senator from Ohio, not for speaker.
The Taft. camp must soon decide
whether 1T will press the effort against
Cannon. If it is to do So, it must have
a candidate for speaker or else a sroup
of candidates.
Today the situation is overwhelming
for Uncle Joe" and unless Mr. Taft
takes an active hand in the contesr.
Cannon will reign over the next house
without doubt.
Mrs. Mary L. Gilman, national presi-