The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-02-09
LIVE WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
CANNON THINKS DEMOCRATS
WILL CONTROL HOUSE.
Iaft Has Created Press Censorship
Over Department News-The
Farce and Folly of SO-Called Beef
Trust Prosecutions.
Special to The Daily Item.

Washington, Feb. 7.-"Listen,
now boys, while l make my ninety
seventh vow that / have no inten-
ton whatever of retiring! Of the
vast multitude of insinuations that
have come from my enemies, the
least deserved of all Is that I will
surrender when I have not been lick
ed"
So spoke "Uncie joe" But, as
he spoke, there was a certain merry
twinkle in the eye which seemed to
indicate that your sly "Uncle Joseph"
either had his fingers crossed or
something concealed up his sleeve.
And to make the situation more
complex, even as Mr.. Cannon was
speaking as above the word was
being passed out by his friends that
speaker Cannon will positively not
run again; this is authentic" This
latter statement carried with it the
declaration that Uncle Joe" had
decided to throw his support to Mar
lin E. Olmstead of Pennsylvania.
What is Uncle Joe's" great
secret? What is the mystery that
this political Sphinx if 1910 is holding
from the public? These vexatious
questions are worrying more than
a few politicians of all parties. Does
Uncle Joe" really intend to try for
the Speakership again? Is he to, be
an issue In the approaching Congress-
ional campaign, or isn't he to be?
1t is as plain as day that some one
has been crossing the wires on the
public. And not one Of the reaction
aries seem to be the least bit anxious
to clarity the atmosphere as to Uncle
Joe" and the speakership Of the next
Congress. ''The gentleman from
Illinois" goes on repeating he will
not retire, with sly grin for each
deposition), while the Speakers stool
pigeons continue the monotonous
chant: Uncle Joe will not run again;
this is authentic! Uncle Joe will
not run again; this Is authentic!"
In the mean time the Congressional
elections are drawing nearer and
nearer.
The truth Is that "Uncle Joe" does
not expect to succeed himself as
speaker. But he does not expect to
be defeated by Republicans. Speak
er Cannon has seen the handwriting
on the wall. and is satisfied that the
next House Of Representatives will
have a Democratic majority. Speak
er Cannon's own word is the author.
ity for this statement. Not long ago.
While riding in Pullman, the Speak
er was overheard by the wife Of a
prominent Republican insurgent who
was sitting opposite him, to express
the opinion that regardless of wheth.
er the new tariff law was really a
good law Of a bad law, the people
had decreed that it was a bad law
and that result of this adverse pub-
lie sentiment the Republicans must
Temporarily lose control of the lower
House.
This statement Of the speakers
II you will turn 1t over a few times
and examine closely. is the milk in
the Uncle Joe"-speakership cocoa
nut! 1t explains everything.
II the next House is Democratic
and Democratic speaker Is elected.
1t will not be a personal defeat for
"Umcle Joe, but a party defeat. But
should Speaker Cannon admit now
that he will not try to succeed him
self, 1t would be an undeniable ad-
mission Of personal defeat at the
hands Of Republicans, and would be
so heralded before the country.
Such blow would be more than
Uncle Joe's" egotism could easily
stand. especially when it is taken in
to consideration that the Speaker,
along with the President, Senator
Aldrich, Boutell Of Illinois, Scott Of
Kansas. and others-really believes
that he is statesman Of the Abraham
Lincoln type and seriously expects
TO be recorded In history as such.
No doubt sly old Uncle Joe" has
the situation figured out about right.
II he abandons the leadership of the
House now. he loses everything. BY
holding on, however, he retains the
minority leadership In the next
House even II 1t is Democratic in
complexion, and with a Republican
senate, this situation will be worth
considerable politically. Also. by
hoiolhg on, Uncle Joe's" political