New-York tribune., 1910-01-24
THE DAWN WASHINcT0
From The Tribune Bureau.

IRON The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Jan. g3-The genuine sorrow
with which q great number of the MEM
bers OF the House regard the arrival of a
SITUATION Nhere party loyalty seems 10
make Ii their duty to convey as gently
as possible to Speaker Cannon their con-
Viction that the future success of the party
demands that he announce his withdrawal
from the SDeakership before the campaign
or next autumn constitutes a remarkable
tribute to Mr.. Cannon's popularity Some
or the men who firmest in this convic-
ton would even sacrifice their own political
lives rather than wound the feelings of the
Speaker They have hoped, and almost
prayed. that he would himself perceive the
trend of events. and would voluntarily re-
tire They have worked for his success
with all their might. and would do so again
were they not compelled by loyalty TO the
party TO adopt a different course They
regard it as an inexpressible pity that a
man who has served his party so long and
so ably and who has enjoyed almost the
highest honors 1t can confer should not
himself have had the perspicaCity to read
the handwriting on the wall and gracefully
to recuse himself without having the facts
thrust on him. Mr. Cannon possesses I;
wonderful personality. He has the ability
OF attaching men to him with an affection
stronger than ropes of steel, and to-day
very large majority of his fellow members
would rather suffer much themselves than
cause him TO know the bitterness of defeat.
But they realize that the wheel of time is
inexorable in its turning and that although
the rugged old Speaker has seen other,
come and go. that unerring judgment OF
men and affairs which has so seldom failed
him in their case has deserted him entirely,
auC left him in his old age still plagued
with the ambitions and longings Of youth.
1t is perhaps, too early to predict Mr..
Cannons course. but there is little doubt
that the opinion CT the men who now be-
lieve he should retire will have far more
weight with him than those OF any num-
Der of open and bitter antagonists.
II is not generally known that ever since
March 4-ever since November 8, 1905, in
fact-Speaker Cannon has been besieging
President Taft for letter of Endorsement
not a perfunctory Endorsement, but a
tribute couched in extravagant terms. a
eulogy of the career of the Speaker. For
many and possibly obvious reasons Mr.. Taft
has steadily declined TO grant the Speakers
wish Wholesale promises of support for
the Presidents legislative programme have
proved wholly ineffective. Dire predic-
tlons as TO the havoc to be played by the
insurgents have secured nothing more sat
isfactory, from the point OF view of Mr..
Cannon, than one of the Presidents hearty
laughs When Mr.. Taft made his compli-
mentary reference TO Senator Aldrich at
Boston last September Mr.. Cannon thought
he had won the day and he Immediately
pointed cut to Mr.. Taft that like indorse-
ment of his loyalty to the public veal and
+s-E.-
every craving of the Danville statesman,
hut Mr.. Taft consistently and persistently
refused the longed-for public Endorsement.
just as he has determnedly refrained from
placing any obstacle in the way of those
members of the House who have so bitterly
sought the Speakers downfall Mr.. Taft
has been willing TO leave to their efforts
and 10 time the regeneration of the House
leadership, but as for going before the
American people as the eulogist Of Joseph
81. Cannon-Mr. Taft has had other ideas.
me president has not vet completed the
list Of his special messages 10 Congress.
He is now devoting much thought to the
SUBJECT OF Porto Rico and the Philippines.
which he will deal with IN a special COM
munication in the not distant future. Two
important recommendations will be made
be urged 10 provide machinery whereby
the Porto Ricansz may become American
citizens by a process of naturalization open
TO all bona fide citizens of the island. This
prospect is the occasion of the utmost
ratification 10 the Porto Ricans,. to whom.
having been separated from Spain, Arnert-
can citizenship. 10 which they believe they
are abundantIy entitled, has long been de
MED. The other most important recon-
mendation in the forthcoming message will
be for the creation of central bureau OF
health for the island, to the end that san
itarv regulations may no longer be sub
tected TO the vicissitudes Of local politics
The Foraker bill. according to the Presi-
dents views, should be preserved but
should be amended to carry into effect the
reforms he will propose. The President is
counting in advance on the loyal assist