New-York tribune., 1908-09-17
CANNON OPENS KANSAS CAMPAIGN.
Defends His Action in Staving Off Tariff
Fight in Congress

Independence Kan. Sept. I5.-Speaker Joseph G.
Cannon made speeches here to-day at the
opening of the Republican state campaign In Kan
sas At the afternoon meeting. at the Auditorium,
Mr Cannon said he had come to Kansas to help
his friend Phil Campbell. He read 10 the audi
ence q telegram announcing the denomination OF
Congressman Tawney. of Minnesota and expressed
his satisfaction. Mr.. Cannon said that he had
been accused of being "standpatter" Two years
ago he and Congressman Campbell Of Kansas, had
A conference with President Roosevelt, and the
President insisted that then was no time to bring
on tariff fight in Congress; that it should be
STAYED off till conditions more favorable. He
CCannon) helped TO stave ii of and yet he was the
only one get the blame
He continued:
The foreigners don't pay any of our taxes They
don't help TO keep up our schools ana puohc IN
stitutions Then why should We let thea come lIe =
in and share our profits OF trade? say. give the
people at home who pay the taxes me ns1qe s IN
tear down the tariff wall. which means that our
ia6or 19strigi i5stries The Republicans propose
to adjust the tariff. cut II down where II Is now
own labor We have had protective tariff ever
since the days of Lincoln except Tor 1our yeaTs s
and YOU folks know what happened IN those four
years.
At the night meeting Speaker Cannon made a
defence Of the House rules. declaring that the
rules Of the present House have been substan-
TALLY the rules of the House under the control OF
all parties for more than a generation. Prior to
the 5lst Congress, il lay in the power Of the
minority Indefinitely TO obstruct the transaction
of business by demanding the ayes and noes and
then refusing vote the call Of the roll, thus
breaking the quorum. He went on 10 say:
This condition Of affairs finally became unbear-
able and Speaker Reed began new practice. on
the call Of the roll. when less than quorum was
disclosed. for the purpose Of making the quorum
the Speaker counted present all members actually
present whether they voted not. and directed
thar their names be entered the journal. Be
cause of this ruling Speaker Reed was denounced
as an a1rocrat tyrant and a cZaT.
The SD and 53d Congresses, whlch were DeIilo-
cratic adopted the same rules, and speaker CTlsp
counted q quorum. It is alleged IN the DeTnocratlc
national platform that the House Is under the
absolute domination of the Speaker VINO mas en-
tire control of its deliberations and powers OF
ieg3sla1ion This is a bold, demagogical mlsstate-
mem of the facts in the power OF any mem
her Of the House. question or the mgnest
11r;7-iIege at any time to offer resoiutoh oepoS
no the Sneaker OF the House and electlng anoller
in his stead. and II a majority favor ana vote Loi
the resolution the Speaker is custed from ms OF
fee He is the only officer of the government "ho @
In ne 80 arbitrarily deposed. instead OF lne
SDeakrr being in control of the House, the ftOuse
is in conplete control of the Speaker: ana witoul
The sustaining force OF majority or us HelpeA
shin he is powerless TO interfere with It's actloh'