The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-20

~ - "sAss Ass0J <xO Ausck00t-
I'd.
Washington. March 1.-THE force
and effectiveness Of "Cannon-ism"
and its ability to perpetuats itself
have been strikingly illustrated dur
ing the past week when q body Of
brave Insurgents" have been exert
ing every effort to overthrow the
tyranny which now dominates the
lower house Of congress. Through
his able. II unscrupulous. henchman.
ex-Representative Watson Of Indiana.
Mr.. Cannon has been gradually COM
municating to the various members
of the house. not excluding the Dem
ocrats. the dire fate which awaits
them should they Join the insurrection
against the house rules and he is re-
elected speaker. Mr.. Watson. for In
stance. has pointed out to the South
ern members that they have educated
their constituents to a great interest
In the deep waterways movements
and to expect adequate appropriations
for river and harbor Improvement.
"Of course you realize" says Mr.. Wat
SON, that IL you Join the fight against
the speaker. you cannot expect him to
permit any measure appropriating
funds for the improvement Of rivers
and harbors In your district to pass
the house.
Under the existing RULES the speak
or has authority TO appoint all the
members Of the house committees. A.
. matter Of custom and courtesy, the
minority leader Has been permitted
70 select In the past the minority
uembership. but Cannon does not
hesitate 70 instruct his henchmen to
threaten . withdrawal OF this priv
ilege. Accordingly. Mr.. watson IL GO
ING 20 those Democrats who now hold
GOOD positions and saying. "Of course
you realize that your fate rests with
the speaker. II you oppose him he
will certainly oppose your appoint
msnt to any committee worth hav-
Ing. Do you think II worth while 70
join the insurgsnts and thus risk the
good place you have long enjoyed
on the appropriations committee ?"
This argument has been used, and Il
u understood with good effect. on
Representative Livinsston Of Georgia.
who has long held IN important place
on the committee named.
Finally. the t9FiR II being used TO
perpstu4ts Cannonism. surprising a
II may seem. there are many protec-
tion Democrats in congress, many
yho feel that their political life de-
pends on the amount OF protection
they can secure for certain Southern
industries. TO these men. Watson
and his cohorts cay. mo doubt you
have taken into consideration the
fact that the new tariff bill will con-
tain no protection for Louisiana rice,
Or Florida pinsapples. or Alabama
iron. or, virginia tobacco. II you Join
the insurgents and oppose either the
reelection OF Mr.. Cannon or the re-
adoption OF the house rules. Under
circumstances II 10 hardly surprising
that the Democrats are distraught
and nnd II hard to decide between
their duty to their party and the peo-
pie and their own self-preservation.
The ofYicers Of President Tafts cab
met will be given every encourage
ment by the president to travel and
thoroughly familiarize themselves
with every detail Of the work over
which they have control. Secretary
Ballinser Of the interior department
intends to 60 to Alsaka this summer
and tour the territory with especial
reference to the coal lands. which It
Ia claimed are valuable. and to inves-
tigate the possibilities Of reclamation.
The president. also wishes Secretary
Dickinson Of the war department to
60 to the Isthmus at the earliest op-
portunity 30 that he may familiarize
himself with the details Of the work
there and become thoroughly posted
In direct way on the affairs of this
gigantic undertaking.
Secretary Wilson Of the depart
ment of agriculture Ii in receipt of
nearly q hundred letteres from millers
anA Ll.A.~A a-x~x- -a-a L.