The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-01-25
REGULARS DECIDE
CANNON MUST GO
CONSERVATIVE TALK IT OVER
AND BREAK THE NEWS KIND
LYTo UNCLE JOE.


Washington, Jan. 25.--A number OF
the regulars in the house Of represen-
tatives, conservative men and little
prone to political hysteria, have ar
rived at the conclusion that not only
must Speaker Cannon abdicate his
throne but there must be a change in
the leadership Of the lower body.
These regulars are all part OF the So
called Cannon machinery in the house,
and have been for years earnest labor
ers for the success Of the republican
party and men who concern, them
selves deeply lest IL should make
mistake at a crucial moment. They do
not believe that such a moment has
arrived. but they do feel that in ORDER
to assure an increase in the repubh-
can majority in the house they will
have to announce their unwillingness
to vote again for Speaker Cannon.
They feel that he would be wise to
announce his withdrawal before the
campaign begins. That these men
have not gone about openly in express
sion of discord should 60 abroad but
to their extreme regard and loyalty
to Mr.. Cannon, whom they declare to
be more the victim of unfortunate cir
cumstances than of deserved and In
| telligent criticism These men do not
| lack the courage to tell the speaker OF
their convictions. This was illustrated
at the meeting Of the republican con-
gressional committee Friday night, a
meeting which not only appears to
have united it's members In a co"
of harmonious action but which
| pears to have been unusual In its
| frankness Of opinion and candid but
kindly exchange Of views.
Cannon and Payne Must Go.
Representative Foster Of Vermont,
\ an avowed regular and a frequent pub
lie eulogist OF Speaker Cannon. was
called on by Representative Towney,
the chairman Of the meeting, to speak
for New England. He declared that
in his opinion Speaker Cannon should
/ not again be a candidate. He said that
Mr.. Cannon was too old a man to as
sumo the responsibility again, and that
II would be better for all ii he would
not make the fight
/ He intimated also that the floor
leader, Representative Serene e. Payne
of New York, should relinquish that
position at the end OF this congress In
der that a younger and more agile
IAN might take his place.
| These suggestions he made I'm the
kindliest spirit, and, his colleagues as
sert, in such a manner as 10 convince
his auditors that his opinions were
formed after careful consideration and
were expressed only in the house OF
his friends"
Break News to Cannon.
/ Speaker Cannon was not present
when the speech was made, but he ar
rived shortly afterward and II was re-
peated to him. He admitted that he
was an old man. that he would be IS
by the time the next house met. He de-
ciared that 1t was unnecessary to cross
the speakership bridge until he came 70
it. but he left the impression on several
who were present that he realized the
situation and that he will not for a
moment jeopardize the success of the
party even for purposes of personal
satisfaction.
The suggestion made by Representa-
tive Foster that there should be a
change in the floor leadership of the
house has not been generally discussed
among the members. Some of them
however, agree that Mr.. Payne should
lrelinquish the leadership to younger
man. 1t has not been suggested thai
he withdraw from the inner councils
/ of the organization. but 1t is believed
by a number of his friends that he
should be supplanted by man who is
1Eseeav
members, who comes into daily contacl
with the entire majority and whose
perspective has not perhaps beer
blurred by viewing for many years tht
republican membership from a aniche
in the speakers ante room. 1a s
Many lndorse Suggestion.
Among those who are said to agree
with Mr.. Foster regarding the speak
| ership are Representatives Townsend
and Mclaughlin OF Michigan. Repre-
lsentatfves Rowland and most Of the
Ohio republicans, Representatives La
fean and Moore of Pennsylvania, Rep
lresentatives Bennett, FoeIker and Dris-
coll Of New York. Representative Nc.
Kinlay of California, Representative
Martin of South Dakota. Representa-.
tive Slemp of Virginia, Representative
4 Harneri of Idaho, and others, most Of
whom have high personal regard
/ for Speaker Cannon. There are sew.
eral malcontents among the regulars
who would be against the speaker
whether they thought him beneficial Il
the party or not The insurgents, o
course. howl against him.
Il The meeting Friday night unaues
tionably had a salutary effect and vii
make for harmony Of action variou
! topics were discussed. including til
! a,ytue rfIifxt nf sa..5fx4<~ ,~e<y..1sr~ - ~