New-York tribune., 1910-08-19
SPEAKER OF NEXT HOUSE
Lonqworth's Opposition Thought
to Mean Cannon's Retirement.
CANDIDATES FOR PLACE
Friends Say Cannon Has NO
Thought of Presiding Over
Next House.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Aug. 1s--To those familiar
with the internal workings of the RepuDh-
can party in the House of Representatives.
the announcement OF Representative Nlch-
olas I.ongworth that he will no longer sup
port Mr.. Cannon for the Speakership mas
only one meaning namely. that another Re-
publican will WELD the gavel during the
next Congress If the present majority con-
troIs the House. This conclusion is reached
not so much because OF Representative
Longworths potentiality in the House, but
because he reflects the views OF consid-
erable number of Taft regulars, which
views were frequently expressed in private
before the close of the last session
Shortly after the opening of the last seS-
sion of Congress 1t became apparent 10
many Of these erstwhiie Cannon supporters
that political expediency demanded that the
Danville veteran should announce his de-
termination to retire from the Speakership
at the end Of the present Congress Tnese
friends, protesting their faith and conn-
dence in Mr.. Cannon. and charging that ne
laad been the victim of systematic mizrepre-
sentation, took the position that the welfare
of the Republican party was paramount
and that II was the duty of the Speaker 10
step aside in the interest OF Republican Sue
cess In a diplomatic and friendly way
this situation was explained 10 Mr.. Cannon
by several of his closest friends, including
Judge Walter I. Smith, of Iowa. and Repre-
sentative Charles Scott, of Kansas At
that time there were many regulars no De-
lieyed that such an announcement would De
forthcoming during the Christmas recess
i was reported on excellent authority, thae
Speaker Cannon at one time seriously con-
-to for, ont No
he changed his determination only because
of the boasts of the insurgents that they
could depose him. He declared with We
hemence that he would not retire under
fire.
When Congress adjourned 1t was admitted
on ALL sides even by Mr. Cannon 8 stanch-
est friends that he could never again be
elected to the Speakersiip- These men
hoped, however, that he would either an
1ounce that he would not be a candidate
or remain silent on the subject They were
willing to allow "Cannonism'' to become
an issue in the campaign, even at their own
risk rather than appear to forget the many
battles which Speaker Cannon has waged
for the Republican party.
This course was absolutely agreed upon
by such men as Representatives Long
worth. Olcott of New York, great ad-
n,rer of Mr.. Cannon; Fassett, Gaines, or
West Virginia; Weeks, of Massachusett
and others who supported the Speaker IN
every parliamentary struggle. His attitude
of utter belligerency, however, appears to
have moved at least one of these men TO
action, and there is little doubt that Mr.
Longworth's example will be followed by
many Republicans who are troubled with
the Cannon issue in their districts.
Doesn't Expect Reelection.
Those who know Mr.. Cannon most irti-
mately are convinced that he has ex-
pectation of presiding over the House in
the next Congress. They attempt to excuse
the bitterness of the Speakers recent utter
ances by saying that he feels he Is the
victim of a conspiracy to drive him from
public life, and that it is only natural that
man Of his advanced years and long
public service should show iTnpatience under
constant criticism by younger men. They
explain also that II Mr.. Cannon even inti-
mated that he was out OF the Speakership
race his political opponents at Danville
would make use of his statement in such a
way as possibly to defeat him for re-elec-
ton 10 the House. These friends are con-
vinced that the 'old man. as they af
fectionately term him, realizes that his
days as presiding officer OF the House are
numbered. They believe that Mr.. Cannon
will be reelected TO the House by big
plurality, and that on the night Of election
he will announce from his home in DanrfIIe
his purpose to turn over the leadership TO
younger man.
Already there is much speculation as to
Mr.. Cannon's successor. At least five men,
bers of the present House will have strong
support in the Republican caucus
Cannon's Possible Successor.
Probably the man most talked OF is
Representative Marlin Z. OlnlSted of
Pennsylvania. a consistent Cannon man. I
chairman OF the Committee on InSular At /
fairs and a member of the Baltnger-
Pinchot investigating committee. He Will
undoubtedly be reelected. and doubtless
will have the solid support OF the
Pennsylvania delegation. Representative |
Tawney. chairman of the Committee on |
is also being considered, !
and will be formidable candidate il he /
command the support of the Minnesota in |
surgents. Representative James R Mann. !
of Illinois, regarded by many as the abIest !
legislator in the House. and an unusually
regular. will command strong /
support, ana VIII De more acceptable 10 !
the insurgents than any other prominent /
regular. Representative WaAer l. Smith. !
of Iowa. Is strong candidate. Several /
OF his delegation viii oppose him. but he |
is especially popular with the Eastern
delegations. from whom he will probably
draw votes. Others whose claims to the |
chair have been considered are Repre-
sentatives Weeks and Lawrence. OF Massa-
chusetts Currier. Of New Hampshire and
Payne. of New York. II Mr.. Payne were
more capable physically of performing the
duties of Speaker he would undoubtedly
have a strong following, but as things
stand il is doubtful II the New York dele
cation will place a candidate In the field
unless 1t be Representative J. Sloat Fss !
sett, who would not secure the solid sun
port of his colleagues.
HILLES GOES TO BEVERLY
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to