The daily sentinel., 1910-02-03
REAL LIVE WASHINGTON GOSSIP


Washington. Feb. 3-''Listen now
boys. while make my 9th VOW that
have no intention whatever of re-
firing, OF the vast multitude of in
situations that have come from my
enemies. the least deserved of all i5
that ! will surrender when | have
not been licked"
So spoke Uncle Joe. But, as he
spoke. there was a certain merry
twinkle in the eye which seemed to
indicate that your sly Uncle Joseph
either had his fingers crossed or some
thing concealed up his sleeve. And,
to make the situation more complex.
even as Mr.. Cannon was speaking as
above. the word was being passed out
by his friends that Speaker Cannon
viii positively not run again; this is
authentic This latter statement
carried with 1t the declaration THAI
Uncle Joe had decided to throw his
support to Marlin E. Olmstead of
Pennsylvania
What is Uncle Joe's great secret
what is the mystery that this politi-
cal sphinx of 1910 is holding from
the public? These vexatious ques-
tions are worrying more than a few
politicians of all parties. Does Uncle
Joe really intend to try for the speak
ership again? Is he to be an issue
in the approaching congressional
campaigns, or isn't he to be? It is
is plain as day that someone has been
crossing the wires on the public: and
not one OF the reactionaries seems to
be the least bit anxious to clarity the
atmosphere as to Uncle Joe and the
speakership of the next congress.
The gentleman from Illinois" goes
on repeating that he will not retire
with a sly grin for each deposition
while the speakers stool pigeons con-
tinue the monotonous chant: "Uncle
Joe VIII not run again this is au-
thentfc, Uncle Joe will not ran
again; this is authentici In the
meantime the congressional elections
are drawing nearer and nearer.
The truth is that Uncle Joe does
not expect to succeed himself as
speaker; but he does not expect to be
deposed or defeated by republicans.
Speaker Cannon has seen the hand
writing on the wall. and is satisfied
that the next house of representatives
VIII have democratic Majority.
Speaker Cannon's own word is the
authority for this statement Not
long ago. while riding on a Pullman,
the speaker was overheard by the
wife of a prominent republican in
surgent, who was sitting opposite
MN, to express the opinion that, re-
gardless of whether the new tariff
law was really a good law or a bad
law, the people had decreed that it
was a bad law, and that a result OF
this adverse public sentiment was
that the republicans must temporar-
lily lose control of the lower house.
This statement of the speakers, ii
you Will turn 1t over a few times and
examine closely, Is the milk In the
Uncle Joe-speakership cocoanut. II
explains everything.
II the next house Is democratic and
a democratic speaker is elected. IL
VIII not be personal defeat for I'm
Gle Joe. but n party defeat But.
should Speaker Cannon admit now
that he will not try to succeed him
self, it would be an unbeatable adj
mission of personal defeat at the
hands of republicans, and would be
so heralded before the country. Such
blow would be more than Uncle
Joe's egotism could easily stand, es-
peeially when 1t is taken into con-
sideration that the speaker, along
with the president, Senator Aldrich,
Boutelle of Illinois, Scott of Kansas
and others. really believes that he is
statesman of the Abraham Lincoln
type and seriously expects to be re-
corded in history as such.
No doubt sly old Uncle Joe has the
situation figured out about light. II
ne abandons the speakership of the
house now. he loses everything. BY
holding on. however, he retains the
minority leadership in the next house
even II 1t is democratic in complexion.
and, with republican senate, this
situation will be worth considerable
politically. Also, by holding on, I'm
Gle Joe's political record remains in
tact. and his name is saved from con-
signment to the cutters of political
reiuse TAV
The CITY cpuncil loc, ,;rtt ,.o.ol .