Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-18

SHARP REPLY TO AN ATTACK
eoutell Eulosizes the Work Of the
Veteran Illinois Congressman =
Prominent Men Who Heard Cannon's
First speech--Admitted Carrying
"oats in His Pocket"

Washington, Feb. 1s.-Thirty-four
years ago today Speaker Cannon de-
liyered his first speech in the house
of representatives, and the anniversary
was marked by a tribute TO the speak
er by Mr.. Boutell, of Illinois, soon after
that body met today. MIR. Boutel re-
called the noted men of the house at
that time, whose friendship Mr.. Cam
non enjoyed, and, in referring to the
speakers speech, said that these men
were present and heard his remarks.
Among them he mentioned Speaker
Blaine Joseph R. Hawley, Of Connecti-
cut. William P. Frye and Eugene Hale,
Of Maine; Henry L. Dawes, =. ROCK
wood Hoar, George F. Hoar, Benjamin
F. Butler, julius c. Burrows, James
A. Garfield, Alexander H. Stephens, OF
Georgia; William r. Morrison, of 1lli-
nois; William S. Holman, of Indiana;
Lucius @. C. Lamar, of Mississippi;
Richard p. Bland, of Missouri; Fer
nando Wood, of New York; Samuel ].
Randall, of Pennsylvania, and Roger
@. Mills, of Texas.
Mr.. Boutell said that Mr.. Cannon
then SO years old. spoke on bill re-
ducing rates of postage on books, for
the carrying free of newspapers with
in counties of their publication, and
for the extention of the franking priv
ilege to public correspondence. HE
made carefully prepared, logical ar
gument in support of the bill" said
Mr.. Boutell, reinforcing his PROPOSE
tions by a well..ordered array OF con-
vincing figures. 1t was speech that
could only have been made after hard
work and thorough preparation. Sew
eral extracts from the speech We're
read by Mr.. Boutell, who spoke Of
eibe by member directed at Mr.. Can
non that 'the gentleman must have
oats in his pocket"
Mr.. Boutell said that tumultuous ap-
plause greeted Mr.. Cannon's retort,
whenNhe said: IL understand the gen.
tleman. Yes, have oats in my pocket
and hayseed in my hair, and the Wes-
tern people generally are affected in
the same way; and we expect that the
seed, being good, will yield a good
crop, I trust fold, and the sooner
legislation is had, not only as proposed
by this bill, but in all other respects
on11ifv and
Justice shall dictate, the better it will
be in the long run for all people IN
this country, whatever may be their
calling or wherever they may reside"
THAT speech" said Mr.. Boutell,
"gave Mr.. Cannon position as one OF
the strong men in the house and won
for him the respect Of his colleagues
IN both branches Of congress, and OF
the leaders in official life" Mr.. Can
non, he declared, had answered the
ridicule heaped upon him by admitting.
that he was country member and had
oats in his pocket; "who proudly ac-
the truth of the jest, good
silenced the jester and then
refuted the insinuation Of the narrow
ness and provincialism in words elo-
uuent with the spirit Of the truest
craftsmanship and the loftiest patriot
ISM"
The oats that Mr.. Cannon sowed,
said Mr.. Boutell, were not wild oats,
"and they have yielded him generous
and rich returns"
Mr.. Boutell referred to the steady
strides made by Mr.. Cannon during his
service as a member of the house, re-
sulting in his election three times as
speaker, and in conclusion, said:
"The people of his district have con-
ferred upon him all the honors that
are in their gift to bestow, single
handed and alone. And the thought
that, comes to my mind on this ami
Of our country colleagues first
in this house, a triumph won
in the interest Of the workers Of the
IS simply this: How gladly
within the next few months the other
plain people who live on farms or work
In mines or shops will join the voters
Of his district to reward this, their
faithful servant, who went forth in
their cause thirty-four years ago. with
oats in his pocket, and returned,
bringing his sheaves with him, by con-
ferring upon him the nations final
honor"
Boutelps remarks were punctuated
thruout with loud applause on the part
IF republicans and democrats alike.
The first mention by him of Cannon S |
name caused demonstration. Cannon
the chair and seemed rlken |
by surprise. Upon the con
clusion of Boutells remarks the house
and galleries as q unit INDUCED III
oud and continuous applause, and de- |
nands for a speech by the speaker |
STOOD up and cheered. and |
continued their demands until the |
speaker arose. Everyone expected him |
% say something in reply, but amin |
shrieks of laughter he drolly said:
THE gentleman from New Hamp |
shire Sulloway, is recognized for con-
,ideration of the pension bills Can