New-York tribune., 1910-08-19
TIVE TO QUIT.

The Hon. Joseph q. Cannon has been
talking recently us If he did not fully
realize that his usefulness as Repub-
lican leader had ended. If he does not
actually say that lie will again be a can
didate for the Speakership. he continues
To denounce as Democrats the Repub-
licans who helped to overthrow the sys-
TEN of one-man rule in the House OF
Representatives and to intimate that
Republican control OF the next House
will involve a restoration Of that syS-
TEN and "a vindication of what has come
TO he popularly known as "Cannonism."
Such an illusion on his part is unfortu-
late. since it tends to increase faction
alism in the party and to enhance the
difficulties of Republican Representa-
tlves who supported the Speaker in the
rules fight out of sense OF loyalty TO
the House organization. but who are
satisfied with the new order and would
hot care to exchange the larger freedom
and greater legislative efficiency which
Il has assured for the autocratic and
oppressive rule which it superseded.
Representative Longworth's announce
ment that, If reelected, he Will do every
thing in his power TO prevent Mr.. Can
mons denomination in the Republican
caucus expresses the feeling OF most
Renublicans who have hitherto stood by
the Speaker. that he is endangerlng Re
publican success by trying to keep alive
the animosities of the last session. Mr..
Longworth voted against changing the
rules and curbing the Speakers eXces-
siye powers But he sees that the
change made has worked no injury and
that II did not last March and does not
now even remotely involve question
of party principle. Whether or not the
Sneaker shall serve on the Committee on
Rules and whether he shall appoint the
committees or not appoint them are
mere details of parliamentary govern
ment. No test Of Republicanism or De-
mocracy can be manufactured out of diff
ferences of opinion on those points. The
Republican majority in the House
worked more harmoniously ana accom-
pIished much more important results
after the rules were changed than 1T did
before. WHY, then, should the change
puhlicans and commit Representatives
who voted last March TO sustain the
Speaker to a revival of the old system
and a re-estabIshment Of Mr.. Cannon
political leadership?
Such a programme may be pleasing to
Mr.. Cannon. but it is highly unpopular
with the country. Since the adjourn
ment of Congress not q single one OF the
| insurgents has been defeated for renom-
| ination. Most of them have been re
nominated without opposition. but
REPRESENTATIVES associated in the pubic
mind with "Cannonism' have been de-
feated in various states, many III spite
Of credita BILE records made at WashlnS-
ton. The result of the primaries III Kan,
sas Iowa. Nebraska and California
proyes that "Cannonism' is heavy load
10 carry. and Republican Representa-
| fiyes who have been manRuvred into the
attitude Of approving the Speakers re
cent utterances and by implication Ia
voring his reelection have fallen VIC
fms TO their own maIadroitness and tt
tbe i'll advised efforts of Mr.. Cannon tt
force an irrelevant issue upon the Vot
ers Mr.. Longworth's attitude Is iogl
cal and his protest is justified we nope
that Mr.. Cannon's comment on the Incl
dent as reported this morning, may be
interpreted as an indication that he
himself beginning to see the light.