The Columbus journal., 1910-04-06
JOSEPH G.. CANNON.

Joseph ". cannon, the stormy petrei
of Congress whose wings were clipped
by the insurgents, has been a unique
figure in public life "The last of the
frontier type of statesmen, Of which
Lincoln was first"-when a celebrity
said that of Uncle Joe" some six
years ago he was applauded for hold.
ing the mirror up to life, for pictures.
queness and plainness have been 50
developed aud nourished by the seer
of Danville that without them he
would be like President Taft without
the expansive emile, like Theodore
Roosevelt without the teeth and eye.
glasses, like Buffalo Bill" without
the long hair and SLOUGH hat.
Geographically speaking, Speaker
Cannon comes Of Quaker parentage
and was born in North Carolina in
1886. He spent his boyhood in lndi.
ana, and later move to Illinois, where
he has lived ever since, his home be-
ing in DanyiIle. With the exception
of one term, when he was kept at home
by his constituents, he has been in Con.
gress since 1872, or nearly four de-
cades. Over a quarter of a century
ago he was appointed by Speaker Car
Isle member of the committee on
rules-the seIfsame committee over
which the stirring battle has just bes II
fought in Washington. For many
years he was chairman of the Cont
mittee on appropriation, and Was
known as watchdog of the treasury"
Once upon time, about eight years
ago, Mr.. Cannon dictated an autobio-
graphy to aWashington correspondent.
1t was short, succient and characters.
tic. 1t ran: "Mr. Cannon was born
of God-fearing and man-loving par
ents. He made himself, and he did a
darn poor job oft"
In appearance Mr.. Cannon is "a
tier slim man, about five feet and q
half in height. Despite his "a years
he is as straight as an arrow. His
rugged face is ornamented with griz-
lied beard, his upper lip being shaved.
He is quick and alert in his move
ments, his eyes have youthful spark
lie. In conversation he is almost rs
vehement as when making a speech.
In Washington years and years ago
he became noted for his keenness in
debate. He is a master of satire, of
razor like edge. In the thirty-six
years he has been at Washington Mr..
Cannon has helped write many an inn
Portant law. In the Forty. third Con-
gress As member of the committee on
postoffices and post roads he introduc.
ell bill changing postal rates on Sc.
cOnd class matter, and aided in putt.
ing through the amendments prohibit
ing the distribution of lottery tickets
and obscene literature through the
mails. At the beginning of the war
with Spain Mr.. Cannon as chairman
of the committee on appropriations
cautioned delay. bu: when it
became evident that the war would
come he put in the bill appropriating
$50, 100000 for national defense.
At Danville Speaker Cannon has
what is regarded as one of the best
equipped private libraries in the state
and when at home he spends hours
browsing on literature Hei is ranked
As millionaire, having made his for.
tune in the street railroad and bank.
ing business and in investments in
agricultural lands. In oratory Speak
er Common is galvanic. As he brings
forth new point he comes dancing
forth on his tip-toes, swinging his
arms like the sails of a Dutch wind
mill, upper cutting and parrying and
swinging and sidestepping. There is
l saying in Illinois that he would not
ne able to make speech in twenty
DOT ring. His speeches are well in.
erlarded with biblical quotations, an
occasional bit of near profanity and al
ways with parallels and stories to back
Up each point.-The Union.
BOYS MAKE GOOD"
The Columbus Dispatch has been
discussion as to "what
'ecomes of the boys from the FARM"
he question having arisen in connec.
ion with great general discussion
oncerning the present high cost of
wing. A farmer of Union county,
ohio, enters the discussion with a
pecific statement as regards the farm
oys who went to school with him in a
ertain rural district fifty years ago.