The Washington times., 1908-11-06

VIII undertake any real movement 20
organize.
Scoff at Fowler.
They scoh at the idea that Mr.. Fowler
can become a formidable opponent,
against Mr., Cannon, the more so be-
cause Mr.. Fowler's ideas on currency
legislation last winter did not meet the
approval OF the majority of the Repub-
icans- Also, it is pointed out, Mr.. Can
non viii be Speaker all through the
coming session Of Congress and this will
give him plenty of opportunities TO at
tach WaVering members TO his side.
While Mr.. CannOn's friends here say
they DO not look for a powerful move
ment tC be organized against his re-
election, they realize that such step
as that taken by Mr.. Fowler, in an
nOunclng his candidacy, may result IN
other candidates entering the field. The
name of Representative Theodore T..
Burton OF Ohio has been often men
toned in connection with the Speaker
snip. But, Mr.. Burton has his eyes on
the SenatOrship from his State, ana II
he is selected for that place, will be
ehectually removed from consideration
fOT the SpealIeTship- II is realized that
mT. Burton, If he should formally enter
the held against Uncle Joe would make
"a formidable candidate
Others Mentioned.
Other prominent Republican members
have been mentioned occasionally for
the SpeakeTship. one OF them is Repre-
sentative Walter 1, Smith Of Iowa.
Judge Smith is now a leading member
of the Committee on Appropriations,
and Is one OF the able men on the Repub-
ucau side Attention was called to his
utuess for the post OF Speaker some
weeks ago by Representative Albert h.
Dawson, of the Second Iowa district.
ar. Dawson spoke or Judge Smith as
ut man for the Speakership, and for the
successor OF MI Cannon However. II
IS not understood 10 be the purpose OF
Judge Smith friends TO push him for
the Spealership so long as MIR. Cannon
wants the place
Another man who has 10 be seriously
considered in connection with the op-
position TO Speaker Cannon is Repre-
sentative Charles T. Townsend, OF the
Second Michigan district.
To Is quite possible that Mr. Town
send S candidacy, which has not been
formally announced, but Is none the
less real, may become dangerous one
for Mr.. Cannon Mr.. Townsend. II Is
declared on good authority, had prom
ises Of support before the election from
no less than thirty-three Republican
candidates. A few Of these have been
defeated. but ii MI Townsend concludes
to come out formally for the office OF
Speaker, he viii have strong support
from the first Mr. Townsend is heart
lily in favor Of modifying the House
rules, and giving the Speaker less
power. He Is young and active, a man
of force and energy. and became proml-
nent in connection with the EsCh-TOwu-
send rate bill
In Uncle Joe's Favor.
one fact that tends TO aid Uncle
Joe" greatly in the retention OF the
Speakership is the coming extra sez-
sion for the revision of the tariff The
protected industries Of the country ana
the friends OF high protection all over
the United States realize that Mr.. Can
non is unglteTably opposed to any con-
siderable reductions in the Dingley du-
ties. They know that 50 long as Mr.
Cannon Is Speaker the Ways and
Means Comiittee viii not be given over
20 the tariff reViSiOniStS. It might not
be so with some other man as Speaker.
Therefore, the whole force Of the high
protective tariff elements viii be found
backing up MT Cannon.
So far there is no sign Mr.. Taft Will
lift his hand against the reelection OF
Mr.. Cannon as Speaker. Moreover, Mr.
Cannon has much strength IN the fact
that his friends are in complete control
of the Republican Congressional com
mittee
Hitherto. James *. Sherman has been
the political CLiettaln and manager on
the Republican side in the House; but
with Mr. Sherman in the office of Vice
President, the pONuCal mead among the
House Republicans viii be Representa-
i've William 3. Mckinley, Of Illinois,
close friend OF MI Cannon and chair
nan of the Republican Congressional
committee.
AIr Mckinley VIII be a factor OF i'm
)Ortance in the SiXty-1Tst House, and
any candidacy for the Speakership other
han MT. CaunOns viii have TO enCOun-
-eT all the opposition he can command
One of the interesting questions I'm con
1ecti0u with the next House IS whether
Mr. Cannon. If reelected Speaker, will
listen to any suggestion for the amelIO-
ration OF the rules That he viii be
urged to consent to their modification
there is no doubt; but in view Of the
fact that the election returns are con-
stTued by Cannon supporters as a vim
dicatiOn of the Speaker. II may well be
doubted whether he viii sanction any
change i'm the rules as now established.