The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-17

years spent III TIC IOl uln the na-
ton and in battles fought in his own
and doubtful states for the honor
and advancement of his party and it's
principles.
While he did not say so definitely,
yet Mr.. Cannon intimated that he
would speak tonight along the lines
of his famous Danville speech the
feature Grafton SO far of the present
campaign.
The knights & Ladies Of Security
band will play on the streets tonight
and a quartette will sing in the audi
this district will preside at the meet
ing and will introduce the dis
tinguished Illinoisan to the audience
at 8 o'clock sharp.
The Speakers Private Secretary.
L. w. Busbey, the private secretary
to Speaker Cannon, is with his chief
on the Kansas tour, and tells many in
teresting things about Mr.. Cannon and
his experiences. Concerning the DO
litical outlook, Mr.. Busbey does not
seem to be entirely satisfied.
There has been a lack of energy
paign," said Mr.. Busbey. 81 do not
think there is any serious doubt of
Taft's election, but the Republican ma
tional committee has been lacking in
push. Mr.. Hitchcock, who is
chairman, is young man,
ollO LS IldS dSSOC1dlSu With MIN
a number of other young men. They
are all right, but they are not as well
posted in how to run a campaign as
older heads would be. They have
been slow in getting started
Mr.. Busbey did not think that
Speaker Cannon would care to discuss
public questions with a newspaper re-
porter. And especially did he think
that Mr. Cannon would have nothing
to say about the attack which has
been made on him by the Methodist
church.
81 have advised Mr.. Cannon said
Mr.. Busbey "to keep out of that con-
troversy for the present. The Metho-
dist bishop has had his say, and Mr..
LittlefieId has made his reply. 1t is
not Mr.. Cannon's move. In my
judgment, Mr.. Littlefield's reply dis
posed entirely of the charges, and 1
am sure that the Methodist bishop
will, as an honest man, have to admit
that he was mistaken.
1.-THE fact is that people have a mis-
taken idea of the speakers power.
They think he has the power to pass
or defeat bills. This is a widespread
error. The speaker has no such pow
er."
Asked concerning the likelihood OF
Mr.. Cannon's defeat in his home dis
trict, Mr.. Busbey said:
Mr. Cannon, two years ago, received
about 5000 votes out of total of 4O,-
900 in the district. There is nothing
new in this campaign except lne
charges of the Methodist church, and
those charges have been fully answered
bv Congressman Littlefield. The labor
issue is the same one that Mr.. Cannon
met before. There is nothing new
about that. The laboring men know
Cannon, and stand by MIN IN spite oI
Gompers. Cannon lives in laborlng
mans district, and he is strong at
home He will be reelected to con-
gress.' ~
Mr.. Busbey is an old newspaper man
himself. and knows all about the diff
cultieS of reporting a pontlcaI Speech
He said:
Mr.. Cannon has no prepared speech.
He is likely to talk on almost any line.
Mr.. Cannon is a hard man to report,
even for a stenographer. He talks
slowly but his thoughts travel faster
than his words, and he sometimes for
gets to finish up a sentence. Mr.. Can
non is not an orator; he simply talks
to big audience in the same way that
he would talk to half dozen people.
Concerning the controversy between
Cannon and Bryan, Mr.. Busbey said:
Speaker Cannon had no disposition
to engage in a dispute with Bryan. He
put a few remarks into one of his
speeches to the effect that Bryan had
become a millionaire under the benc-
ficent provisions of p Republican ad-
ministration, and that he was glad Mr..
Bryan had been so successful. Mr..
Cannon did not anticipate that this lit
tie statement would lead to such an
uproar."
Regrets From Prominent Men.
Congressman E. H. Madison in send
ing his regrets that he he could not be
in Topeka today wrote: am very De
sirous that the meeting' be a success.
I am forced, however, to be absent as
I am under contract and business OBJ
legations to attend court in Seward
county on that date to defend a man
charged with a serious crime, of which
I believe he is innocent. 1 told him I
would appear in his defense and con-
not honorably refuse. 1 see no way
in the world 1 can get to the Cannon
meeing. 1 regret very much the cir
cumstances that prevent my attend
ance. I know of no way to release
myself. Please explain to Uncle joe
the cause of my absence"
Congressman Campbell, who was
with Mr.. Cannon at Independence ye<-
terday could not come to Topeka De-
cause lie is presiding over Klstow
meeting at Pittsburg, his own town,
Congressman Reeder wrote a very
cordial letter and was only prevented
from being here by previous arrange
ments for a joint debate with con-
flicting dates.
Senator Curtis, strong personal
friends of Mr. Cannon, is speaking
this week in Indiana
Mr. Stubbs, who Formed quite
liking for the speaker at Pittsburg, is
dedicating a new building at Baldwin
university today.
Mr.. Bristow wrote as follows:
''I regret that it is impossible for
me to be with you on the 18th as
am billed for three speeches on that
day in Chautauqua county. 1 certainly
would appreciate very much being
with you
Entertained at Cedarcrest.
After spending two hours at the ho-
tel he was taken to the country home
of Frank P. MacLennan, Cedarcrest,
prominent state and local politicians.
and spent most of the afternoon.