Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-15

CHICAGO, June 15.-Something of sem
sation was caused last night by the unex-
pected arrival In Chicago of one Of the
presidential candidates. Uncle Joe Cannon.
He arrived from Danville late yesterday
afternoon. going to the Union League
Club. where he was soon in conference
with some of the most prominent men,
bers Of Congress. including Serene e.
Payne Of New York. chairman Of the
committee on ways and means: Mr.. Dali
zell Of Pennsylvania. the ranking member
OF that committee: Representative Over
street Of Indiana, Representative James
s. Sherman Of New York. who has the
congressional backing for the vice presi-
dency; Richard Kerens OF Missouri and q
number OF delegates from Illinois. Mis-
souri, and other states.
1t soon developed that Speaker Can
platform. and that a very brisk contest
on some of the planks was In prospect.
When Mr.. Cannon was here the other
day he learned in a general way the main
features of the existing draft and did
not feel that they presented any serious
obstacles. However. the arrival of some
OF the congressional leaders developed the
fact that the so-called anti-injunction
plank contained certain features which
were regarded as quite opposed to the
declaration made at recent caucus OF
the republican members of the House
upon that subject.
Early yesterday Mr.. Cannon was called
on the long distance and the platform
situation was discussed with him The
Speaker is not an adept in talking over
a long distance telephone. and he finally
decided to take a train to Chicago and
go over the platform field In person. In
particular he desired to have talk with
Senator Hopkins Of Illinois. who il slated
to be chairman Of the resolutions commit
tee. but whose position as such is de-
pendent upon the action of the Illinois
caucus in naming him as the Illinois
member Of the committee on resolutions.
On Speaker Cannon's arrival he found
that Senator Hopkins had left for his
home at Aurora. 50 that the conference
with the prospective head OF the resolu-
lions committee was necessarily post
poned until today
Unnecessary and Unwise.
Meantime. Mr.. Cannon and his congress
sional lieutenants went over the plat
form plank concerning tho restriction Of
injunctions. 1t is not only the Speaker
personal view that an multiplication
plank. such as is proposed. would be
unnecessary and unwise, but as Speaker
Of the House he feels that the formal
action of the republican membership.
taken only a few weeks ago. and strongly
expressive of opposition to such legisla-
ton, should receive serious consideration
before such a plank is finally introduced
into the pronouncement Of the party to the
country.
Some of the congressional leaders have
pointed out that such a plank would
| create a singular diversity Of official rep
resentation, the republican. membership
| Of the House formally declaring against
form formally declaring In favor OF It.
1t is this apparent conflict which the
| Speaker desires to reconcile. not IN any
| spirit Of belligerency, but as a means OF
unity and success.
| The Speakers views on this subject
were outlined to his friends last night as
being identical to those expressed two
years ago. when he said in opening the
congressional campaign:
Declaration Of the Speaker.
speaking for myself. had rather quit
public life now. and at the age Of seventy
quit forever. true to the civilization we
have developed, true to the distribution OF
powers to the legislative, the executive
and the judiciary, which are a check upon
each other than to retain public jfice a
such a sacrifice to my own self-respect ant
| such terrible cost to the country. While
God gives me life to live will not by my
act take from any citizen, be he rich OF
poor, union man or non-union man. farm.
er or mechanic. shoemaker or paper max
| er. doctor or lawyer. any right which II
given to another. i will not vote for any
law which will make fair for ono and fou
for another"
The presence Of the Speaker in Chicago
was not generally known. except among
| 10 CONGREGATIONAL leaAera HA did M
appear at the Cannon headquarters. but
spent all his time In an upper chamber
Of the Union League Club. where q steady
line Of prominent leaders took their turr
in comforting with him. Mr.. Cannon wa!
in his usual good nature. but did not dis
guise the fact that he was deeply inter
ested in this platform plank. and wouls
do what he felt the circumstances required
sued. One Of his intimates said last night
Would Discredit Judiciary.
when the Speaker was here tn.
other day 1t was understood that the
proposed injunction plank was Of &
comparatively mild nature. It now ap
pears that as finally drafted it purport.
to express confidence in the courts, bu
then provides that no injunction shall
issue without notice unless the cour
is satisfied that irreparable damage will
vision Of the United States statutes
Why, therefore, Is 1t necessary to In
corporate statute law into Eationa
platform? 1t will merely invite coutro
versy and will. inferenrially. tend t,
discredit the judiciary. Our opponentl
have done that in their platform. ant
. we do not want to repeat their mis-
, take"
When the presence OF the Speaker
came to the knowledge OF those who ar,
y | In cha rye If the platform II WAS pointed
y out that he had not the advantage o.
. seeing the text OF the plank which h,
felt to be Objectionable. This plank. o.
: well as the platform as whole. 10 II
= the possession Of the Taft leaders ant
has not been divulged textually outsid,
| NJ their own ranks.