The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-11-18
Our Washington Letter Discusses
Attack on Speak Power
Shown TO Be Necessary. But the
Man Himself Not FIT for Place
His End Near.
Washington, ID. &.
Nov. -, 1909.

Washington, ID. G.
Nov. 10, 1909.
Every where. thru the campaign
which closed a couple of weeks ago.
were heard echoes of the fight on Can
non Political orators on both plat
forms spoke violently for or against
the ruler OF tic House OF Represen-
tatlves, and the excitement was in
creased from time TO time by
a personal attack from some states
man, and a sulphurous rejoinder from
Uncle Joe" Now that Congress is
on the eve of meeting again the ques-
ton again becomes hotter than ever
and there is every likelihood that long
before Congress disperses next sum
mer this attack on a single man will
have overshadowcd all other political
issues.
The charges which are hurled agains
Cannon are many and varied. The
attack is supported by Congressman
and Senator'S OF national reputation,
by newspapers and magazines Of
tremendous circulation and influence.
by leading citizens in many paths o
life. by the temperance advocates OF
the country. by the preschers--and
especially by tho Democrats. II is
unfortunate that many Issues have
been drawn into the conflict, so that
/ Lae oil q h.,
coming confused. But the main facts
are as they have been for ycars-that
the Speaker OF the House of Repre-
sentatives has tremendous power, and
does not satisfy public opinion in the
way no uses IT,
The charges agri.vs; Cannon cannot
be easily classified They include al
legations that he las prevented tenn
reranoe legislation. that he has pre-
vented deep waterways legislation.
that he delayed pure food legislation,
that he made corrupt bargains to re-
tain his power in the House. that he
distributes graft TO keep his place.
that he uiadc the nigh tariff bill pos
sible. that he has prevented any sue
oossful attack on the big corporations
and trusts. th,t he has. In snort, done
thoe things that he ought not TO
have done and left undone these
things that be ought to nave doac.
and that as 2 result he. and he alone.
&c to blame for about everything that
is wrong in our country today.
II is too long a story 20 30 into all
these charges, but they may be stiff
ell down TO two points
First:-It is charged that Speaker
Can non has and exercises so great a
power in the House of Representa-
t.ves that his will is practically law
there. and that he can. ard does. at
will. make or uhmake. not only the
laws, but the regulations OF his fell
low members.
SecOnd:-lt Is charged that Joseph |
g Cannon, as Speaker. uses this |
power against the interests OF the |
people. and In favor of tine Inter
ests," trusts and corporations, and !
that he also finds many opportunities
to crush men who have Incurred his |
personal enmity.
In short. II is charged that Can
non is a sort Of Car In Congress,
and that he is a very bad one.
To get at the real facts about the !
first charge, We have TO so back Of |
the Speaker and take look at Con- /
gress. II is composed of 1856 men,
many OF them merely politicians with
out statesmanlike ability. They have
many diverse and petty interests, but
the first interest OF most of them is
to get reelected. Such men are the
ones to whom the great business Of
governing this country is entrusted,
and In some way work must be done.
Experience has proved that II allowed
to they would talk forever, and that
no work could be gotten out of them.
Therefore there began at the time CT
Speaker Reed the building OF a sys-
tenn which resulted in placing In the
bands of the Speaker such power that
he could stop unnecessary speech max
Inc, and to keep foolish bills from
getting I'm the way of important bust
ness. Fine! Sure, but who was to
decide that speech making Is unneces-
sary. and what bills are foolish The
Speaker of course. and so you see,
we have the condition complained CT
the Speaker can prevent any member
from making any speech the Speak
er does not like. and he can kill any
bill that does not please him.
There are a good many reasons for
Directing to this system. It places a
tremendous power I'm the hands of
Continued on fourth Page.)
Seems most everybodys going to take
dinner with pa and ma Boone at the Tav-