The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1910-10-28
CONG. HAMILTON
M|SREPRESENTED
Not True That He is or
Has Been Friendly to
Speaker Cannon
AGAINST CANNON FOR SPEAKER
And Has Sharply Diff red With Him
On the Tariff. Letter From the
CONGRESSMAN.

Every public man is entitled to the
benefit of his record and of the facts
An effort to create prejudice against
Congressman Hamilton, by representing
him as the close friend of Speaker Can.
non, and as ooediently doing what the
speaker wished seems to be evident.
What are the factsY
Q) Congressman Hamilton voted
against the election of ar. Cannon as
speaker of the present House of Repre-
sentatives.
~ Congressman Hamilton was
strongly opposed to Speaker Cannon as
presidential candidate 10 1908.
(3) Congressman Hamilton was so
strongly opposed to Speaker Cannon's
ideas on tariff revision that he, the
senator, deliberately turned Mr.. Hamil-
ton down, when there was vacancy to
be filled from this state on the WAYS
and Means committee, which prepares
the tariff bills. Mr.. Hamilton was the
ranking member from Michigan by
reason Of his long service in the house,
and is entitled to the place Oh that
leading committee Of the house; but
Speaker Cannon, because of his un-
friendliness to Mr.. Hamilton and his
tariff ideas, turned down our congress-
man, and named Congressman Joseph
Fordney of Saginaw for the place.
a. At meeting Of the Republican
National Congressional committee at
Washington about year ago. Speaker
Cannon and Congressman Hamilton had
very heated alteration, in which the
speaker accused Mr.. Hamilton of rot
being a faithful Republican, because he
did not stand for every tariff schedule
which the majority favored. This was
given wide publicity at the time; and it
will be rememb ered that our congress-
man then and there told speaker Cannon
that he would never recognize his or
any other mans right to dictate his
ac' ion as a representative OF the people.
CO.. Congressman Hamilton voted for
free lumber against the wishes OF Speaker
Cannon.
(6) Congressman Hamilton favored
the creation Of non. partisan board OF
experts to investigate the tariff, and re
port their recon mendations to congress,
with view OF revising the tariff a SEIZED.
ule at time, instead of disturbing all
the business Of the country with a gen.
eral revision. In taking that position,
he was strongly antagonistic to the
wishes of Speaker Cannon.
There is nothing fair about any effort
to create prejudice against Congressman
Hamilton because Of any alleged friend.
ship or subserviency on his part toward
Speaker Cannon. whose methods are il
such great disfavor ir his own party.
The writer has a personal letter from
Mr.. Ham lton on this subject, which we
have his permission to print.
Niles, Mich Oct. 3, 1910.
M. L. Cook,
Hastings:
My Dear NJ. L.
My attention has recently been called
to short article in the Hastings
Journal referring to Mr.. Cannon's nomi-
anton for Congress.
The article proceeded to say that
Hamilton, from this district has said,
"Where Uncle Joe leads, follow and
a vote for Hamilton Is vote for Can
non."
The Journal is in error. | have made
no such statement.
l voted against Mr.. Cannon for
speaker in the Republican caucus when
he was last elected, this fact is known
throughout the Fourth District, and 7
have stated frequently and frankly that
do not intend to vote for him for
speaker again and this is also known
throughout the Fourth District.
Ny difference with Mr.. Cannon grew
primarily out OF a difference between US
as to the proper Interpretation of the
tariff plank in the Republican platform.
| il sistt that that plank meant down.
ward revision and did what l could by
vote and argument to enforce my con-
victions. l was the only man on the
Michigan delegation to vote for free
lumber. | voted for free hides and for
many other reductions.
The country is fully committed to
the principle of protection to American
labor and American industries, and |
fully believe in and uphold that princi.
pie; but honest men have differed as to
the best methods of applying that princi.
pie. / believe the tariff plank in the
last Republican National platform de-
cIaring for duties which shall equal the
difference 10 the cost Of production at
home aud abroad, defines just measure
Of duties and have so declared in
speeches in congress and elsewhere.
To the ED that we might scientifical-
ly ascertain the difference in cost OF
production at home and abroad, have
advocated investigation by body Of
experts, in a speech in congress and in
speeches elsewhere.
also join with President Taft and
Mr.. Roosevelt in their advocacy Of a
joint rule of congress whereby para
graphs and sections OF existing tariff
law may be amended from time to time
as investigation by such body Of experts
shall disclose revision to be necessary ia
conformity with the tariff plank OF our
last national platform.