New-York tribune., 1910-01-24
FRIENDS OF CANNON
FAVOR CHANGE. q
Sentiment Expressed By Foster
at Recent Congressional J
Committee Meeting.
IFrom The TrihunH Ru--aul !


conclusion that not only must Speaker
Cannon abdicate his throne. but that
there must be a change in the leadership
OF the lower body. These regulars srs
all part Of the so-calIed Cannon machin-
cry in the House, and have been for
years earnest IabOrers for the success OF
the Republican party. and men who con-
cern themselves deeply lest il should
make a mistake at a crucial moment
They do not believe that such moment
has arrived. but they do feel that in
order TO assure an increase in the Re-
publican majority in the House they
will have 20 announce their unwilling
ness to vote again for Speaker Cannon
They feel that he would be wise TO an
nounce his vithdra wal before the cam
raign begins
That these men have not gone about
openly expressing their opinions is due
not only to their desire that no impress
sion OF discord should go abroad but to
their extreme regard and loyalty TO Mr.
Cannon. whom they feel to be more the
victim OF unfortunate circumstances and
frequent Misrepresentation than of de-
served and intelligent criticism In a
personal way IL is probable that Speaker
Cannon is more popular and respected at
the Capitol to-day than at any other
time in his career No friends are more
unsparing in their praise and more
lenient in their criticism than the men
who now feel compelled TO admit that
Mr. Cannon's present determination will
be a detriment 10 the party in the COM
ing Congressional campaign
KINDLY EXCHANGE OF VIEWS
These men do not lack the courage
however. to tell the Speaker of their con-
victions This was illustrated at the
meeting of the Republican Congressional
Committee on Friday night a meeting
which not only appears TO have united
it's members in a course OF harmonious
action. but which appears to have been
unusual in it's frankness of opinion and
candid but kindly exchange OF views
Representative Foster. OF Vermont. an
avowed regular and a frequent public
eulogist of Speaker Cannon. was called
on by Representative Tawney. the chair
man of the meeting. 20 speak for New
England. He declared that in his opin-
ion Speaker Cannon should not again be
4
was too old a man TO assume the re-
sponsibiIity again. and tnat it would be
better for all If he would not make the
fight He intimated also that the floor
leader. Representative Serano E PAYNE
or New York, should relinquish that pO-
sition ar the end of this Congress in
order that a younger and a more agile
man might take his place These sug-
geStions he made in the kindliest spirit
and. his colleagues assert. in such a
manner as to convince his auditors that
his opinions were formed after careful
consideration and were expressed only
in the house OF his friends
SPEAKER CANNON NOT PRESENT.
Speaker Cannon was not present when
the speech was made, but he arrived
soon afterward. and it was repeated 70
him Later he replied in a manner
which further endeared him 10 those
who have been his friends. He admit
ted that he was an old man. and that
he would be seventy five by the time the
next House met. 'Seventy-fve he IS
understood to have said. and a hun
dred and fifty pounds" To one man he
the Speakership bridge until he came TO
il. but he left the impression or several
who were present that he realized the
situation and that he would not for a
moment jeopardiZe the success of the
party. even for purposes of personal
satisfaction.
The suggestion made by Representa-
tive Foster that there should be a changs
in the leadership OF the House has nos
been generally discussed among the
members. Some OF them. however.
agreed that Mr.. Payne should relinquish
the floor leadership TO younger man
II has not been suggested that he with
draw from the inner councils OF the or
sanization, for on all sides he is recog-
niZed as the most sagacious and sane ot
advisers, but il is believed by a number
of his friends that he should be sup
planted by man who is more in touch
with the Republican members. who
comes into daily contact with the entire
majority and whose perspective has not.
perhaps. been blurred by viewing for
many years the Republican membership
from a niche in the Speakers anteroon-
His position on the tariff bill and the
genuine craftsmanship which he has fire.
quently displayed have made his opinion
more respected among the rank and file
than that OF almost any other Repre-
sentative. but in the opinion OF those
who desire some change he should be
reserved as a piece OF heavy artillery
which can be brought into the IegisIa-
tive fight after the more modern and
sprightly sharpshooters have found the
enemy.
MANY AGREE WITH FOSTER
Among those who are said TO agree
with Mr.. Foster regarding the Speaker
ship are Representatives Townsend and
Mclaughlin. OF Michigan. Representa-
tive Howland and most OF the Ohio Re
publicans; Representatives Lafean and
Moore. OF Pennsylvania: Representatives
Bennett. Foelker and Driscou. OF New
York. Representative McKinlay. OF Cali
fornis; Representative Martin. OF South
Dakota: Representative SIemp. of vfr-
ginia; Representative Hamer. OF Idaho.
and others. most OF whom have a high
personal regard for Speaker Cannon
There are several malcontents among
the regulars who would be against ths
Speaker whether they thought him ben
enc1al To the party or not. The irsur-