The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-11-25
'CANNON|sM" OPPOSED
An Interview With Congressman d
j. Foster-Believes the Present
Speaker Is Serving His Last Term.

Speaker Is Serving His Last Term.
Burlington. Nov. 21.-Congress-
man ID. ]. Foster left Friday
night for Washington and he may not
return to this city until the first week
in January when he will come to at
tend the meeting of the Dairymen's
Association. He limited yesterday to
Free Press reporter that, just pos
sibly, he might have something good
for the convention in the way of
speaker.
Mr.. Foster had much to say con-
corning the coming session Of Con-
gress and he seemed to think that it
would not only be very busy one,
but also one in which a great many
unpleasant features would come up
along with the pleasant ones. For
one thing, there will probably be a
congressional investigation of the
sugar frauds which have been Great
and dust have cleared away there
may be some startling denoue-
ments.
The intolerable conditions which
have been shown to have existed so
long," said Mr.. Foster make neces-
sary, for the good name of the Taft
administration, thorough and
searching investigation by Con-
gress."
Il have no desire for notoriety in
connection with the subject" he con-
tinued, but if no one else introduces
in the House resolution calling for
such an investigation, shall do So"
|, When asked about the lettering
leadership of Uncle Joe" in the
House, Mr.. Foster said it was under
stood that Speaker Cannon might call
for an investigation by that body of
the charges made by Representative
Herbert Parsons, of New York, in con-
nection with the recent municipal
campaign in the metropolis.
l. Mr.. Parsons declared in effect that
last spring, in order to secure the
help of certain Tammany represen-
tatives in Congress he, Cannon, un-
dertook to see that certain proposed
legislation at Albany, looking toward
clean elections and protection of the
ballot box in New York, should fail of
passage.
Mr.. Parsons is now in Washing
ton," said Mr.. Foster, "and before
left it vas said that he had declared
since his arrival that he would stand
by the charges and be prepared tC
make good" in case an investigation
should be ordered" Mr.. Foster went
on to say that the consequences OF
such an investigation, il the charges
were not sustained, might even 60 sc
far as to cause the expulsion of Mr.
Parsons from the House.
i The Parsons episode is one of the
prominent features of the contest al
ready on in the House for change
of leadership. The members are com
: ing more and more plainly to see tina
the people whom they represent de
mand such change. One of thu
main sources of strength of the in
, surgents is due to the fact that the.
have the weight of public sentimen
behind them.
The moderate members of the Hous
have consulted together as 10 mean
of bringing about this change will
, the least friction and a minimum o
peril to the party. Heretofore thes
; men have supported Speaker Cannon
but they now openly admit that the
can do so no longer. 1t is possibl
that they will see the Speaker 500
!, and endeavor to show him the TEN
per Of the people in their districts
: and make plain to him that no on
man can hope to dominate the Hous
}, in opposition to the best interests o
the party.
= Many believe that the Republican
majority in the next Congress will b
determined in large measure by tn
result of these efforts to depose ''Un
cl Joe" and to secure a new leader
= Mr.. Foster said that he was clearl
of the opinion that Mr.. Cannon i
: serving his last term as speaker Q
the House.
J, A number of prominent men ar
spoken of as successors to the oil
leader. One of the strongest of thes
is from New England, the Hon. job
w. Weeks, of Massachusetts. He
, one of the ablest men in the Hous
today and is eminently fitted for tn
speakership. Although he was traine
at Annapolis, he has been a most sue
cessful business man and he is vi
questionably of high character. Nj
Weeks is independent, but he woul
never undertake to impose his wi
upon the House contrary to it's d.
sires and best interests. Olmstead, {
Pennsylvania, is one of the best pre-
: siding officers in the House, and Rel
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