The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-03-15
Republican Caucus of Members
of the National House
dominates "Uncle JOe'' for
Speaker for a Fourth Time.
is SOME OPPOSITION.
But He Received 162 Out of the
1S6 Votes Cast.
He Makes a Stand Pat Speech
on the Rules.

Washington, March 15-Proclaim-
ed by his friends as "the iron duke of
American politics." Joseph q. Can
non of Illinois was selected a the Re
publican caucus as the candidate Of
his party for the speakership of the
house of representatives. At the
same time, the caucus bound its mem
bers to vote for the adoption by the
incoming house of the rules which
governed the last house. It was the
fourth time the honor had been con-
ferred upon Mr.. Cannon. But neither
the selection of a candidate for speak
er, nor the vote on the rules was char
scterized by the unanimity of party
feeling that attended the three preced-
ing caucuSes. There was plenty of
evidence of the insurrection promised
against the Cannon organization. The
most determined anti-Cannon Repub-
1icans were not present.
The most strategic move of the eau
Gus was the selection of two Repub-
Iicans of the house committee on
rules. Speaker Cannon spoke in
favor of this action. This followed
the adoption of a resolution recon-
mending the speaker to appoint on the
resolution committee two Republicans
selected by the Republican caucus
and two Democrats selected by the
Democratic caucus. Representative
DalzeIl, a member of the rules com
n1ittee for a number of years, and
Representative Walter Smith of Iowa
were elected for the committee. The
rules of the house for years make the
speaker a member ex-officio of the
committee. The consideration of the
rules for the next house came UP when
Mr.. DalZelI of Pennsylvania moved that
the members vote for the rules of the
last house Mr.. Haughen of Iowa
walked out. explaining to those out
side that ne did not care to be bound
by the action taken. Without debate.
the Dalzen motion was carried, the
vote showing seven or eight opposing.
Cannon Addresses Caucus.
Mr.. Smith of Iowa then introduced
his resolution regarding the selection
of the committee on rules. Speaker
Cannon addressed the caucus. mas |
much as the other committee of the |
house pertained to legislation he said |
he regarded it best for them not to be |
selected by the two caucuses. but the |
the management of the proceedings
on the floor of the house, could we'll |
be selected by the parties in caucus.
The resolution was adopted without |
Messrs. Dalzen and Smith and the |
caucus agreed to the selection.
The vote for Mr. Cannon as candi- |
date for speaker was not unanimous. |
non received 1872. Mr. Cannon did |
not vote and Mr.. Sturgis of West Vir-
ginia arrived too late for the roll call
Following the nomination of Mr.. Can
non. Mr.. Stevenson of Minnesota
named Mr.. Tawney for speaker. Mr..
Reeder of Kansas placed in nominal
land of Ohio named Mr.. Keifer. The
roll call resulted: Cannon. 162; Smith,
10; Tawney. Z; Keifer, 5; Representa-
tive Crumpacker of Indiana. 1, and
Representative Mcguire of Okla
homa, 1.
Mr.. Rodenberg's speech nominating
Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Cannon's speech
following his selection were enthusi-
astically applauded.
Both Sides Claim Victory.
After the caucus had adjourned,
Representative Mckinley of Illinois
declared that fully IL of the "a alb
lars when the vote on the previous
question was taken This would give
the regulars total vote of 1876, which
would be one more than is necessary
to defeat the insurgents.
The latter claimed that they had
more than the "a necessary to vote
down the previous question.
Representative Murdoch of Kansas,
spea king for the insurgents after the
caucus, declared that the result of the
caucus only served to further encour-
down the previous question" he said,
''and the proposition that will be pre-
scented to the house by our steering
committee will be adopted"
Following is the personnel of the
house organization as chosen by the
Republican caucus:
For speaker, Joseph G.. Cannon of
Illinois.
For clerk of the house, AIexa nder
Mcdowell of Pennsylvania.
For postmaster, Samuel A. Langum
of Minnesota.
For sergeant Henry Casson
of Wisconsin.
For doorkeeper, F. B. Lyon of New
York.
For chaplain. Rev. Henry N Coud-
en-, the blind preacher.
All these were selected as candi-
dates to succeed themselves. Repre-
sentative Currier of New Hampshire,
was elected chairman of the caucus.
and Representative Loudenslager of
New Jersey, elected to succeed himself |
as its secretary. Representative John