New-York tribune., 1910-01-25
ANGRY AT. CANNON
MORE REGULARS RE-
SENT HIS COURSE.
Hamilton and Foster Th'nk
Speaker Should Not
Run 4gain.
fFrc.n The Tribune Bureau J

Washington, Jan. 24--The intoserant
attitude and the unWillingness 10 neat
candid criticism which Speaker Can
non displayed at the meeting of the fte-
publican Congressional Committee nave
not improved the temper of those Re
publicans who sought to express their
opinions in frank but kindly manner.
The fact that 1t was gathering or mem
bers Of one party charged with tre duty
Of electing a majority of the House lea
these Representatives to believe that
views might be exchanged in an entirely
dispassionate tone.
From their own statements this is
what they desired to do. but the Speaker
chose different manner of address and
became querulous and resentful. This
was not graciously received by either
Representative Foster, of Vermont, whose
withdrawal from the Cannon ranks was
described in these dispatches this morn
ing, or Representative Hamilton, OF
Michigan. Both of them have been de-
voted regulars from the beginning OF
their careers in Congress.
Representative Hamilton, who is chair
man of the Committee on Territories, in
speaking for Michigan, declared that the
fight there would not be an easy one
in the coming elections, because OF the
unpopularity of the tariff bill in certain
quarters. He criticised the lumber sched-
ule and intimated that he would find 1t
difficult to defend the measure in all its
parts.
Speaker Cannon replied to this speech
by announcing that the bill was the best
Republican tariff that had ever been
passed, that it was a party measure and
it was the duty of all Republicans to
stand by it in all its details. He init
mated that Representative Hamilton's
criticism placed his stanch Republi-
canism in question, and displayed indig-
nation toward the Michigan member.
Mr.. Hamilton arose and declared that
he was las good a Republican as Mr..
Cannon, if not better one" and that he
would welcome an opportunity to sacri-
flee his personal interests for the benefit
of the party.
This incident closed at the meeting, but
it formed topic of conversation among
the regulars to-day and was acknowl-
edged to increase the burden which Mr..
Cannon must carry, and which threatens
to overcome him before he reaches his
high position in the next Congress. He
reiterated at the meeting his determina-
tion not to withdraw. He declared that
he would abide by the result of caucus
called to select Speaker, and, until
this choice was made, he would make no
announcement.
In discussing his position to-day Rep
resentative Foster, of Vermont, said:
Before going into detail 1 want it
known that 1 was the first member from
New England to indorse Speaker Cam
non to succeed Speaker Henderson.
have never regretted that Endorsement,
and, personally, would be willing to see
Mr.. Cannon succeed himself. But 1 am
determined that the wishes of my Ver-
mont constituents shall be properly re-
fected in my expressions. Ny district
does not want any more of Speaker Can
non. There Is no question as to the op-
position to him. This opposition L at
tempted to express in as kindly a man
ner as possible at the meeting, and L
made clear my reluctance to perform
what 1 considered an unpleasant duty.
1t was a Republican meeting, to discuss
the road to a successful Congressional
election. 1t was not meeting to glorify
the entire membership of the Republi-
can party, nor was it intended that Rep
resentatives should come there blind
folded and pretend not to see defects. I
shall probably say another word or two
on the subject later in the session.
Representative Hamilton described his
speech to several newspaper men to-
day. He is not pleased with the asper-
sions cast on his Republicanism by the
Speaker. The fact that both men are
chairmen of committees in the House is
pointed to as significant