The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-11-25

washington. Nov. 19.-Despite a
Republican majority OF Al In the
House OF Representatives. Joseph c.
Cannon OF Illinois may not be Speaker
ef the sist Congress. Such Is the opin-
Sou Of large number OF the Repubn-
can members who have arrived IN
Down. and not a day goes by but some
new arrival brings report Of strong
anti-cannon sentiment In his district.
This sentiment Is reflected by Repub-
lican newspapers throughout the
country. Cannon Is declared to be
the Republican "oid Man of the Sea-
the one great obstacle to a progressive
policy, and demand Is made that he
be displaced.
Before the election IL usually was
estimated that II the Republican ma
jority In the next House was above 80
Cannon could not be defeated for
Speaker. But sentiment against Can
non seems TO be stronger at least Is
given stronger expression. since the
election than before. Many Republi-
can newspapers which enthusiastical-
ly supported Taft are now demanding
that Cannon be defeated taking the
ground that his continuance as Speak
er would make II impossible TO re-
deem the pledges he made the coun-
Try.
it had been expected there would
be a great deal of dlmculty getting
members TO come out IN the open
against Cannon, members fearing that
AZ they opposed Cannon and he won
out I'm spite of the opposition they
would be made to suffer. Such mem
bers are nov being told that q firm
stani against Cannon and willing.
ness to abide the consequences OF non
success would make them stroger with
thetl' constituents than any namber
OF postof'ice or river or harbor appro-
priaHons. Take your stand I'm the
open they ace urged. and IL in pun
ishnlent you have to return TO your
people empty-handed, you will be a
her''. Then. continuing. the argum ent
runs this WISE IL you support Can
non and still fail to get that postoffcc
your district expects. you won't have
leg to stand on when you come w
for reelection. III you can tell your
people that failure to set the postof-
hce was your punishmentlfor asserting
your manhood. you will have a
walk-oveS at the election two years
from now.
Members Of Congress are normal
human beings who like their jobs.
How to keep his job. therefore, Is first
consideration with each. The Can
non regime has no devoted following
outside OF the limited inner circle. IL
majority OF the Republican MEM
bers OF the House were convinced
their own fortunes would be best serv-
ed by defeating Cannon. he wouldn't
stand the ghost OF u show OF reelec-
tion.
Those who are striving to defeat he
Speaker are using every possible ar
gument TO show members that their
political fortunes will be best served
by the overthrow OF Cannon. One of
the points most often made Is that
with Cannon command the re-
vision OF the earin will not
be what the country expects
and that public disappointment will
manifest Itself I'm the election OF
Democratic House In 1910. This Is
one et the most telling arguments
Csnnon's opponents can make. 1t is
pointed out that while some sort OF n
tariff bill Is bound 10 pass. with Cam
non. Dalzell and Payne In supreme
control OF the measure the great con-
'sumine public. which Is asking for re-
lief. VIII get little consideration.
The one serious weakness I'm the
anti-Cannon campaign Is that 1t is
without virile leader. There is M
one IL can pit against Cannon for the
Speakership who can command de-
voted following. Representative Eur
ton OF Ohio Is the man mos, often
mentioned as Cannon's o, ponent.
While Mr.. Burton's ability and char
acter are universally admired. nc has
none OF the elements of popu,ar lead
ership. Besldes Mr.. Burton ls yory
busy just now trying 20 De elected To-
the United states Senate as the sue
cesnor Of Senator Foraker.
of the men mentioned as auu-Con-
non candidates for speaker. Judga