Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-19
SPEAKER ON FLOOR
Cannon in Speech Lectures
Members of the House.
DEFENDS THE OLD RULES
Charges Hypocrisy Against Some of
His Opponents.
DON'T WANT BILLS PASSED
Yet They Write Constituents Plac-
ing ALI the Blame on Shoulders
Of the Speaker.
DON'T WANT BILLS PASSED

Speaker Cannon made a characteristic
straight-from- shoulder talk on the
moor OF the House late yesterday after
noon. 1t was entirely unexpected and
the interest with which he was heard in
dicated that the House membership con-
sidered it both instructive and entertain
ing
Uncle Joe" scored his critics, took his
usual slam at the newspapers, stepped
On the toes of some of his colleagues and
defended the old rules of the House. The
House laughed when he declared that
some members Of the House who
wouldn't know the rules if they met
them on the street. did most of the talk
ing against them.
Critics Lack Knowledge.
In his remarks Speaker Cannon con-
tended that the operation of the rules as
adopted by the Fifty-first Congress and
as enforced by him had never interfered
with the will Of the majority Of the
House when an actual majority had been
obtained on any proposition. He scored
newspaper and magazine writer's who had
criticised him and declared that they
had proceeded from a lack Of knowledge
and upon false premises.
The venerable Speaker was greeted by
cheers from his republican colleagues when
he had concluded. Representative Cooper
OF Wisconsin, one of the leading 'insur-
gents, attempted to reply, but there was
objection and no one had an opportunity
to answer the Speakers arguments.
Defends the Old Rules.
Mr.. Cannon made general defense of
the old rules of the House and ridiculed
the idea that he had ever been a czar
Many members he said, Introduce
bills that they do not want passed, to
please a constituent. I have many let
tiers written by members to constituents
and forwarded to me, that run somewhat
in this way:
I am for a doilar-a-day pension bill
for every soldier who served in the civil
war and had an honorable discharge
But the Speaker OF the House will not let
me pass it
He does not stop to say this would
add $1OO,OO0.0OO year to the pension
rolls. 1 am not going to mention names,
but many Of the membership of the
House would understand.
There are some members who would
not know the rules. Of the House if they
should meet them on the street. Yet they
the rules fetter them
.'The criticism that has been made
against the present Speaker of the House
by representatives to their constituents,
by the press of the country and by the
uplift magazines of the country 1 cannot
help. I wish in the performance of my
duty, whatever happens, to keep the oath
that I have taken and keep fidelity to
the majority of the House which chose
me Speaker and which controls the
WI T ~ &C rrf nf fbn
forever and cross over, l had rather go
keeping my own self-respect than to have
the plaudits of all the 'uplifters that
speak, some with and some without
knowledge, and with all the press that
thunderS for a purpose from false prem
ises-I had rather command my own re-
spect and go out forever than to stay
in bending the pregnant hinges of the
knee to the demagogues, to the self
constituted righteous of the republic who
criticise without judgment and without
knowledge"
Mr.. Cannon was warmly applauded at
the conclusion of his remarks.
Would Be Cannon Delilah.
Mr. Rucker Of Missouri made fine
speech, which afforded the House lot of
amusement. He was the lone member
who voted against the committee dis
Cargo amendment Friday, and insisted
that the OeIuocTdtS were IOOllSh to
stand with the republicans on the amend
ment.
Mr.. Rucker elaborated his conclusions
yesterday.
Il welcome the opportunity to reform
the rules of the House. / have great
personal respect for the Speaker. yet
il had my power l would be the Delilah
to shear his locks and strip him of his
power. But do not indorse this mongrel
as democratic victory. Democrats have
not done anything to lift the ban from
You are going back and
tell the folks that you have reformed the
rules according to democratic formula
and YOU know it is not true. nere is
not a man here who will live long enough
to see bill resurrected from the domain
of this rule. l am actually
with these recent demon,
of republican friendliness-
when / witness all this cooling and
Wooing, this teasing and biting and twist
ing of the neck of gentlemen who have
so long been political foes and adver-
saries, I am reminded of a poem which
1 read, when by reason of my years /
was more moved by the passions of
youth than l am now
Poem for the Record.
Here is one verse of the poem that will,
the Congressional Record to-
morrow:
"She has a bosom as white as snow,
Take care!
'.She knows how much it is best to show,
Beware! beware.
Trust her not,
"She Is fooling thee!
II want to suggest seriously that
With some discrimination skilled to grace, |
A devils purpose with an angels face. |
the republican party has hoodooed and |
deceived democracy.
Pittsburg Signs ]. ]. Dowd.
WORCESTER. Mass, June 1s.-James |
j. Dowd, pitcher of the Holy Cross
College nine, said today that he had |
signed q contract with the Pittshurv