The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-25
FIGHT ON CANNON
IS COUNTRY WIDE
Republican Leaders Hold
Speaker a Liability Rather
Than an Asset.
HOUSE LEADERSHIP
STRONGLY OPPOSED
State Organizations Instruct Repre-
sentatives Against Supporting
Him-Fear Democrats.

The possibility OF a virile, vigorous. de-
! termined fight against the reelection Of
Speaker Cannon TO the head OF the
House, IS beginning to be weighed and
calculated by Republicans. There are
two pOssibilities-One, that the House
may go Democratic; the other, that,
despite the selection Of a Republican
House, there may be opposition 10 the
Speaker which will put him out Of the
running.
Right or wrong. justihable or IN
Justihable, It may be set down that the
Republican management OF the present
House IS one OF the heavy burdens that
the Republican party must bear in the
coming campaign. The politicians all
Concede as much.
Speaker Cannon IS accounted a liability
rather than an asset. All over the West
IL is being pointed out that the ap-
pearance Of the Speaker on the platform
at the natianal convention, 10 second the
nomination of James S. Sherman for
Vice President was a brand on the
Vice Presidential nominee which labeled
him as belonging TO tie Cannon school
OF thought and politics, and that viii
not be erased
The country knows thai the Cannon
element claims a victory In the plat
form-making, and another victory IL the
selection Of Mr. Sherman as Vice Presl-
Dental nominee. The true friends OF
Secretary Taft did not want Sherman
named for second place; they wanted a
Western man, who should be a hostage
to Western and progressive opinion.
States Take Hand
Reports come from various States
that their Republican nominating con-
ventiOns are likely TO instruct their
nominees for the House that they shall
not support Speaker Cannon TO sue
coed himself. From a single Western
State comes the story that in just half
It's districts the sentiment distinctly IA
vo.s such a resolution. The intensity
OF the opposition 10 the Speaker may
be imagined from this development
The Democratic hHbUster of last ses-
sion turned out TO be a good piece OF
politics. Ii has served the purpose OF
weakening the Republican hold On the
House. and OF calling the attention Of
the country 10 the fact that under pres
en- rules a few men control the House,
and may make It work their will The
tight IS really against the rules OF the
House. rather than against a particu-
lar group OF men in that body. 1t IS
merely the misfortune OF the Repubh
cans that they have most recently been
IN control Of the House; that RepUbH-
cans have made application Of the Reed
rules-which also were the Crisp rules.
and. therefore. as good Democratic as
Republican doctrine-more recently
than have the Democrats.
Aversion to Methods.
But the fact remains that the coun-
try's present aversion 20 the House
methods OF doing business is peculiarly
unfortunate for the Republicans. De-
serving il or not, the present House is
regarded as the foremost obstacle to the
enactment of the Roosevelt policies"
at the last session. And the present
House is Synonymous in the public
mind-certainly in the mind OF the Mid
ole West-with the name Of Speaker
Cannon.
This is the report which politicians
and political communications bring
from the West There is no longer Sc
cret about the fact that the Speaker
ptlSOAAdAAE 6AtbEcA AAAAD eLAC bASelN-A anu
took charge Of the fight 70 prevent the
friends Of President Roosevelt and Sec
rotary Taft nominating a Western man
for second place on the ticket The
story Is getting 20 be too well known.
The Speaker wanted a man nominated
whose name should be an earnest OF
the national party's Endorsement Of the
Cannon regime IN the House; and so a
member OF his Rules Committee was
named.
Fear Opposition.
That the next House viii be close
Is conceded on all sides. The POSSIBLE
ity that It may be Democratic, despite
the probable election Of Secretary Taft,
is constantly discussed among Repub-
lean politicians. Such a thing is not
without precedent, though unusual
The Presidency and the House com
monty 20 together IN Presidential years.
But this year the fight over House con-
troll is In a peculiar and unprecedented
way a personal contest Constituencies
are busying themselves about express
ing their desire that the Cannon re-
gime shall not be continued.
To pledge a score of Republican mem
bers not to vote again for Cannon for
Speaker, would be in all probability to
make his re election impossible. And
the prospect Il securing such a number
Of pledges. and perhaps a considera bly,
larger number IS accounted decidedly