Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-07
PERSONAL ATTACK NOT RIGHT
blackburn Says it is All Right to In
surge for a Principle.
IUCKRAKING TACTICS ARE BAD
onditions Ought q he Considered
Before Young Nebraska Repub-
licans Are Switched Into
Democratic Camp.

ltcumh are SWltcheu AhNu
Democratic Camp.
Insofar az the so-called insurgents fight
for what they call a principle, no other
republican can object" said Thomas w
Blackburn. just before his departure for
Los Angeles. but when they insist upon
destroying individual republican leaders by
malicious personal attacks through the
press and public speeches, they are play
ing directly into the hands OF the enemy
and ought to be criticized by their fellow
republicans and Chastised by the voters,
unless the individual leaders by base be-
trayals Of party and people are no longer
entitled to partisan or public confidence.
1T is the undertaking tactics resorted to
in the case Of Joseph G. Cannon, for in
stance, which disgusts thoughtful repub-
Leans. I have no desire to see Mr.. Cannon
reelected speaker because four terms in
that high position is enough, and because
the interests Of the republican party are
more important that the ambition Of any
leader or the vindication Of any individual
career.
But l think the republicans Of Nebraska,
and especially the young republicans,
ought to consider some established facts
ll ltldAlbA - present NOllAlAlbNE VI " aSA
ington before they permit themselves to be
carried bodily into the democratic camp,
either as active democratic voters or So
called insurgents. 1t matters little what
may happen to the republican candidates
for congress in this country next fan, con-
sidered individually. The election Of a
democratic congress is another proposition.
Such a result would be notice that the
party has lost the confidence Of the people,
and that the republican administration and
its policies are 10 be changed. The people
may properly vote such a want of conf
dence and elect a democratic congress, but
it should not be the result Of a campaign
Of malicious Misrepresentation, and for that
reason l would like to make a few sugges-
tions for the consideration of republicans.
Joseph G. Cannon is 70 years old; for
thirty-five years he has been In congress.
Twenty-Five years ago Speaker Carlisle
named him as one of the republican men,
bers of the committee on rules. His asso-
ciate republican was Thomas B.. Reed of
Maine. When the republicans returned to
power, Speaker Reed, Joseph G. Cannon
and William Mckinley constituted the re-
publican membership of this important
committee. For fifty years the speaker has
been a member of that committee. After
NAN NNHfNAeA "a AAAN ANNNN VIZ NAN NNAAAS
Gratis swung back into power. partly be-
cause Reed was called "czar," but chiefly
because of the Mckinley tariff, in 1892,
and Crisp Of Georgia. as speaker. continued
Reed and Cannon on that committee or
rules and the Reed rules, without essential
modification, were adopted by the demo-
Gratis. The Cannon rules are the same
rules and the American congress has beer
governed by them continuously now for
about twenty years.
Cannon Unanimous Choice.
when Joseph G. Cannon was chosen
speaker, he had been thirty years before
the American people as a member OF con.
gress. He was the natural, the unanimous
choice of his fellow partisans, as the sue.
cessor of Speaker Henderson. He was
twice reelected, and at the end of five
years service, two years ago the house re.
solved itself into a joint caucus, with Hay
of Virginia in the chair, and with ~laudator
speeches from both sides, the chamber pre-
scented Mr.. Cannon with a valuable toker
Of an esteem which was then we'll Nigh
unanimous. 1t would have been fortunate
indeed, for Uncle Joe" If he had then re
tired from the speakership, with the word.
Of these democratic leader, John Sharp
Williams of Mississippi, ringing with praisI
ASA AAa obAAlNe oAAAug AlOANGlg dAu GlAlu n
able common sense.
Why then this sudden outbreak agains'
the man who throughout a long and Away.
active public career, had previously helC
the confidence of associates and tine ma
ton? 1t shoul not be forgotten that il
tho late presidential campaign Cannon
made notable public addresses, and wa.
a favorite everywhere.
Less than two years ago the newspaper
Of the country united in a cry for FIRE,
wood pulp. Speaker Cannon said he dix
not favor tinkcring with the traiff in de
tail, but thought the wood pulp schedule
should wait for tho promised general re
vision, and there and then gave offense L
the pubic press, which has succeeded IL
destroying a reputation Of which any ma
! would be proud. Then again some enthu
D siastic "reformers, notably Golfers de
manded an extension of the forest resery,
r idea TO the Appalachian forests, and her,
| again the speaker suggested delay. II,
said he thought before the government
E committed itself it would be wise to FIND
l out what the present owners Of the pro
posed reserves would ask for their land
The third cause OF the malevoIent erup.
ton Of abuse OF Cannon, was the change,
made in the personnel Of certain commit.
tees. The speaker in the exercise Of q
power three times given him, had on oc.
cassions offended congressman by falling
to assign them TO the committees desired
and eight or ten out Of SSl members OF
that body were personally hostile. Fowler
Of New Jersey, Norris Of Nebraska. and
Cooper Of Wisconsin were three Of these.
Always In the Fight.
The magazine writer's and some Of IN,
other insurgents belittle the achievement,
and ability Of Speaker Cannon. but wher
we remember that he was in the f~orefron.
Of every form Of fight, as the immediat t,
lieutenant Of Reed and Mckinley. and tina.
his career was not evanescent, but rar
through the democratic congress-. presided
over by Carlisle, Wilson and Crisp, I thinl
1t may be conceded that Mr.. Cannon Il
a man OF distinguished ability. HIS per
sonal honesty has never been assailed ex
cept in mudslinging invective. His pres
enco on the committee Of appropriation
and in the chair has admittedly save
the country not less than $500, OOO.O 900.
That lie does not arbitrarily preysn
congressman from introducing resolution,
ard otherwise obtaining the floor. notwitb.
standing the eXtravagant charges Of in.
Tolerance and arrogance. is made nIair