Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-01-27
FOSTER OUT FOR
A NEW SPEAKER
Vermont Congressman Says Can
non Is Too Old a Man for
the Position.

Washington. Jan. PA number Of the
regulars in the House Of Representatives.
conservative men and little prone to po-
litical hysteria, have arrived at the con-
clusion that not only must Speaker Can
non abdicate his throne. but that there
must BE a change In the leadership Of
the lower body. These regulars are all
part OF the so-caled Cannon machinery
in the House. and have been for wears
earnest laborers for the success OF the Re-
publican party, and men who concern
themselves deeply lest it should make n
mista e at a crucial moment They do
not believe that such a moment has ar
rived. but they do feel that In order to
assure an increase IN the republican ma
jority in the House they will have to an
nounce their unw!lingness to vote again
for Speaker Cannon. They feel that he
would be wise to announce his with
drawal before the campaign begins.
That these men have not gone about
openly expressing their opinions Is due
not only to their desire that no impress
sion OF discord should 20 abroad but to
their extreme regard and loyalty to Mr.
Cannon. whom they feel to be more the
victim Of unfortunate circumstance and
frequent Misrepresentation than of de-
served and intelligent criticism. In per-
sonal way It Is probable that Speaker
cannon IL more popular and respected az
the capitol to-day than at any other time
in his career, No friends ara more I'M
sparing IN their praise and more lenient
in their criticism than the men who now
feel compelled to admit that Ny. Can
mons present determination will be a
detriment TO the party In the coming con-
sressional campaign.
KINDLY EXCHANGE OF VIEWS
These men do not lack the courage,
however. to tell the speaker of their con-
victions. This was illustrated az the
meeting of the republican congres onal
committee on Friday night. meeting
which not only appears to have united
its members in n course Of harmonious
action, but which appears to have been
unusual in its frankness OF opinion and
candid but kindly exchange Of views,
Representative Foster Of Vermont an
avowed regular and . frequent public
eulogist OF Speaker Cannon. was called
on by Representative Tawney. the chair
man OF the meeting. to speak for New
England. He declared that In his opin-
ION Speaker Cannon should not again be
candidate. He said that Mr. Cannon
was too old man to assume the re-
sponsibility again. and that It would be
better for all II ne would not make the
light. He intimated also that tho noor
leader, Representative Serano F.. Payne
OF New York. should relinquish that po-
7ition ut the end Of this Congress In
order that younger and a more agile
man might take his place. These sug-
gestions he made in the kindtest spirit
and. his colleagues assert. In such q
manner as to convince his auditors that
his opinions were formed after careful
consideration and were expressed only
IN the house of his friends
SPEAKER CANNON NOT PRESENT
Speaker Cannon was not present when
tho speech was made. but he arrived
soon afterward and I, was repeated TO
NM Latter he replica in a manner
winch further endeared him to those
VINO nave been his friends. lie admit
LED that h was an old man, and that
ne would be seventyive by the time the
next House met Seventy five" he is
understood to have said, land a hundred
ana fifty pounds" TO one man he de-
ciaieu that II was unnecessary to cross
the speakership bridge until he came to
II, but he left the impression on several
who were present that he realized the sit
uation and that he would not for mo-
mont Jeopardze the success of the party,
even for purposes of personal satIsfac-
ton.
Inc suggestion mad by representative
+ oster that there should be change In
tn leadership OF the House has not been
generally discussed among the members.
ne OF them, however. agreed that Mr..
tayne should relinquish the floor leader
ship 10 younger man. II has not been
suggested that he withdraw from the in
ner councils OF the organization. for on
all sides ne Is recognized as the most sa-
gacious and sane OF advisers. but 1t is be-
lieved by number OF his friends that he
should be supplanted by man who is
more in touch with the republican men,
bers. who comes into daily contract with
the tire majority and whose perspective
has not perhaps. been blurred by View
Ing for many years the republican menu