The National tribune., 1910-06-16
elect as Senator the man who wins II
the primaries.
Sneaker Cannon on the Stump.

elect as senator the man who wins in
the primaries.
Speaker Cannon on the Stump.
Speaker Cannon will probably go into
the campaign very early. His plans
have not been matured, but he has de-
cided that he will not oblige the men
who have clamored for his retirement
from politics, and he has never been
accustomed to fighting in any half
hearted way. His participation, OF
course. means that the issue OF Cannon
ism will figure in the campaign, and the
Speaker will meet 1t squareiy and with
out apology.
An unusual number of nominations
to Congress have already been made.
That will make it easier for Mr.. Cannon
to arrange speaking dates as soon as he
wishes. In Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, South
Dakota and Pennsylvania the nominees
of both parties for Congress are already
in the field. This comprises enough
territory for Uncle Joe" to range in
for awhile, provided he does not care
to go into Congressional districts where
the Republicans have not completed
their tickets. He has been urged to go
into Kansas, where several close Con-
gressional friends are in trouble and
he may lift up his voice there during
the primary contest.
l.
defend the tariff law, and appeal for
unqualified support of the regulars. He
will be just as outspoken about the in
surgents as he was in his speeches in
the West before Congress met. 1t hard
Iy needs be said that the Administra-
tlon will be behind him in that argu-
ment Vice President Sherman has
made several speaking excursions into
the West in recent weeks, preaching
that particular brand of party gospel.
In that character of effort he has Presi-
dent Taft's approval and sanction After
Congress adjourns the Vice President,
too, will continue his political activities
Cannon are likely to divide honors all
during the Summer and Autumn as ora
torical attractions.
The East will have less of the hurly-
burly of Summer campaigning. The big
orators will not come that way much
till along into the Autumn, altho Maine
and Vermont, with elections in early
September, will have a good quota of
able speaking talent along toward the
last of August The red-hot factional
troubles in the West, however, have be-
come of SO great National interest that
they promise to be a sort of prologue
to the political drama of 1910 this side
of the Alleghenies.
Uncle Joe as Fighter.
Whatever differences of opinions there
may be over the partisan views of I'm
Gle Joe" Cannon, there is great admira-
ton everywhere at the Capital for his
fighting qualities. His readiness to go
into the campaign and give it to his
opponents hot and heavy was not en-
tirely a surprise to his intimate friends,
who have long been we'll aware what a
game old fighter he is. 1t was never
theless something of a surprise to the
No. W.
soned that at least he would stick close
to his home at Danville. He would take
his ease while the political battle ragged
in Illinois and the adjoining States
OF all the prominent regular leaders
the Speaker is about the only one who
has never for moment lowered his col
ors. He knows that the voters like a
fighter, and he likes to fight. He has
been fighting nearly all Winter long in
the House against pretty strong odds
but in spite of numerous reverses has
on the whole maintained himself as
well as any leader at the Capitol. AS
the session has been drawing to a close
he has scored a few victories, which
have restored his prestige In no small
degree and undoubtedly given him
courage to fight on.
He fully intends to stand for a re-
nomination, and will get it. Some week.
kneed Republicans have hoped that he
would announce his intention not to
run again for the SpeakershB. He has
never given such men any encourage
ment. and apparently will not up to the
day of election in November. Some Re-
publican candidates for nomination to
Congress in the West have openly
avowed their approval OF the Speaker
and proven their strength thereby. Rep
resentative Walter /. Smith. of the
Council Bluffs Uowa) district. followed
that policy and won handsomely. The
fact that he was sorely beset by an in
surgent faction and also that he had
never been much of a straight-out fight
er till this campaign was on made Mr..
Smiths course all the more exceptional.
If the next House should be Republican
and Mr.. Cannon should not stand for
the Speakership. Mr.. Smith, as matters
look now, would probably be elected to
WELD the gavel.
In the course of Mr. Cannon's long
career 1t has generally happened that
he has won by larger majorities when
he has been most stoutly opposed. That,
of course, applies to his own district.
But he is believer in fighting tactics.
If he can help his party to victory in
November. the Speaker beyond question
will return to Congress with greater in
fiuence and prestige than he has ever
before enjoyed.