Daily Arizona silver belt., 1908-11-14
THE SPEAKER AND HIS POWER.

THE SPEAKER AND HIS POWER.
 There is no available evidence that "Uncie Joe" Cannon anticipates re- tirement from his congenial task of running the house of representatives. Some opposition to his reelection there will be, undoubtedly, but hardly enough to cause the old man much concern. Probably he will not be bothered a great deal by the campaign already be- gun by Charles N. Fowler, chairman of tho banking and currency committee. Mr. Fowler, though man of conspicu- ous ability, lacks the clements of per sonal popularity essential to success. ful speakership campaign. His stren- uous efforts for currency reform, and his conimittal to certain definite legis- lativs proposals to that end, have aroused antagonisms that tend to defeat his speakership aspirations. Eeverthe, loss, he represents protest. Anything promising to break down or modify the grip the ''old guard'' has on the or ganization and business methods of the house Is to be welcomed, and for this reason 1t is to be hoped that MT. Fowler will press his campaign energetic.,ll even though 1t may end in failure.
 MT. Fowlcr's platform, though devoid of novelty, has somewhat to commend it. He proposes that "the house of rep resentatives shall elect board of man agers, consisting of seven members which shall be charged with that direc- tion of legislation which is now assumed by the speaker of the house." Not . radical proposition, surely, for 1t leaves in the hands of the speaker all the pow. CT he now yields, save only that which he exercises over the course of legis- lation through the committee on rules. He would still appoint all the commit tees, and the new member would have as much difficulty in getting recognition as ever. Yet the house would feel that through committee chosen by itself it would have measure of control over the course of legislation now denied to it. Apologists for the existing system often assert that the majority may do as 1t likes, but the fate is that the ma jority is in deadly fear of the speaker s dtspleasure. and dares not antagonize him or his cronies. If the adoption of Mir. Fowier's plan should prove not merely an exchange of King stork for King Log, or one form of tyranny for another, it ought to give the majority free hand in carrying on the business of the house, subject of course to the limitations of the committee system. It has an analogy in the steering commit. tee of the senate, which, however, is an unofficial body.
 Probably good deal of criticism of the speakers power would be abated if there were a czar of different type in the woolsacS, a reformatory czar, for example. The outcry against Speaker Cannon is largely based on his oppo. sition to various legislative schemes that have a wide backing. If he were more complaisant as to these matters he would be mighty good fellow. Yet we are convinced that the system which has aggrandized tho power of the speaker and reduced that of the house to servitude unworthy the representa-. tives of great people demands 8 searching examination with a view tc its reformation in accordance with thu principles of representative government upon which our constitution is founded | Tn view of tho fact that an ept;,.s