Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-07
OF THE VOLCANO
THAT FAILED TO ERUPT.
Forgiving Farewell Speech of
Speaker Cannon Was All
That Saved Scalp at Eleventh
Hour,
Morning journal Bureau.
61S MunseY Building,
Washington. y. c., July e.

thrown out of the chair Of the speaker
In the closing hours of the session
which has Just ended, ~ only the
breadth OF a hair. How nearly the
speaker came to being ousted has lust
become known. It was known ON the
last day of the session to only a very
few men.
The air was tense with expectation
in the house the last afternoon and
evening The wise ones among the
regulars, the insurgents and the DEM
ocrats were looking for something to
explode, And 1t would have exploded
had somebody touched the trigger. In
that case, i'm all probability, Uncle Joe
would not now be speaker. and the
head of the house would either be
vacant or some younger and newer
man would have taken his place.
The story of how close Uncle Joe
Cannon came TO the jumping or place
would furnish the basis Of a drama
or 4 novel. II is certain that the
house situation on that closing day
was alive with dramatic interest.
What was going ON was not visible
on the surface, That is why most
everybody got the impression That
things were winding up in a peaceful,
brotherly fashion, But under the
surface there was trouble. The lead
ers realized the danger. At the slight
est warning, the slightest sign of in
surgent or regular getting into action,
there would have been a storm. While
sitting calmly, men had their Fight
ing blood stirred up. For weeks be-
fore the end Of the session the in
surgents had been comforting They
talked over various plans. IT was diff
ficult to agree. Some wanted to Gust
the speaker. Others did not want to
try it.
We will be bcuten,' said some Of
the insurgents.
"We don't want to get rid Of Cun-
non as an ISSUE said others.
IF we Gust Uncle Joe Cannon some
man will be elected in his place who Is
even more re%actionare,' said others.
This was especially the Wow Of
some of the Iowa members, who
feared hat IL Cannon were r%elegated.
Congressman Waiter ] smith would
be made speaker. Judge Smith is
popular With the progressives of the
Iowa delegation on personal grounds,
but some Of them would hesitate a
long time before they would support
him for speaker, holding that ne
would be more dangerous to the in
surgent cause than Cannon. becatIse
a man Of more ability Anyhow. they
didn't want to be put up against the
need Of picking a new speaker,
The insurgents reached NJ definite
decision, and then along came the
compromise change in the rules for
the alleged purpose of making 1t
easier to get a measure out OF com
mittee when efforts were being made
TO pigeon hole it. This was looked on
by many insurgents as a change in
the rules so worded as 10 he OF little
benefit. Still, it made it harder to
get a fight started to Dust the speaker
and perhaps provide for a committee
committees.
Things dragged on in an uncertain
state until the last day OF congress.
Then, tho leaders of all elements were
looking for an outbreak. The word
went round for everybody 10 be on
hand and not hasten off home as is
usually done before the final day The
result was that while on the last day.
and especially the last night, iifty
members have been considered a good
attendance in ordinary circumstances.
the membership was nearly an pres
ent. Almost every mar was In his
seat, feeling deep down in his boots
That trouble was brewing. At the same
time. all was outwardly calm.
How peaceful everybody seems to
and how quietly everything is
losing up" remarked a regular to his
insurgent neighbor.
Yes said the insurgent. "and just
a turn of the hand and a storm would
break loose
All the quiet was on the surface
one Of the i%nsurgent leaders has al
ready prepared in his pocket a rcso-
luton declaring the chair of the
Ipeakcr vacant. He had consulted only
3 few of his insurgent colleagues. But
knew that II the proper psycoloe-
cal moment arrived almost the whole
nsurgent strength AMI the whole
democratic strength would be united
or the resolution.
II was reported about that Speaker
'annon was going to make q speech.
Would he strike at the insurgents
That was the question. Would hc use
language toward them such as hc has
ised at them
The situation was such that had the
.peaker attacked the Insurgents and
'riticised them as he has done in past
pceches the resolution to throw him
u of the speakers chair would have
'een sprung instantly. The member
Who had il IN his pocket vas waiting !
hoping The speaker would invite
fight by using Incorporate language
bout insurgency.
This insurgent leader knew that %
ipeaker Cannon made the opening for
resolution % Gust him. such q reso-
would go through. He reu-
nn-d. on the other hand. that 81 ,
ipeaker Cannon breathed peace. then :
house would not be IN e mood 90
.ust him. and il would be useless d" @
rs h.. :
Everybody knows what happened !
Cannon WAS In a forgitire .
He made a speech. to which
% one could take exception. 50 far NJ q,
he personal references in Il were con +
He hoped all would De- re- y
1rned. and DE- WA not az an bellig- e
rent. Possibly Speaker Cannon got q
ind of what he might expect u ne q