The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-05
CANNON SINGS
HIS SWAN SONG
(Con tinued From First Pageo

=
ference report on tho general den
cheney bill. There were 10 objections
TO this report, but Fitzgerald took
advantage Of his opportunity and de-
manded that tho bill be sent back to
conference. This consumed time, and
when Speaker Cannon again laid the
bill before tho House the hands OF the
clock pointed to II.
Faync and Dalzell grew apnrehen-
Sive, and argued against dilatory tao
tics. More time was wasted At 1880
O'Clock Fitzgerald got roll-call on
his motion 10 rccommit the bill with
amendments to the COMMITTEES on
Ways and Means.
Another roll call would be, necessa r..
TO pass he bill and 1T takes forty
minutes TO call tho House roll
Speaker Cannon laid his watch 81,
his desk and Fitzgerald fixed his eyes
on tho House clock. The conferees on
the rost office appropriation bill came
rushing in with their agreement The
Speaker had other bills md resolu-
lions to have passed A page rushed
from the Speaker to Payne, Tho floor
leader arose:
Il have been in favor of The bill"
ne sald but there is important Iet,s s.
lation that must not fail. ] ask unan.
imous consent to withdraw IT."
o.
cratic cheers.
With the withdrawal Of tho tariff
commission bill good humor was re.
stored in the House, and the hands of
the clock were turned back that the
bill for tbs commission on postal
rates for magazines might pass end
other matters be cleaned up
II was after 9 o'clock when Under
wood. OF Alabama, was called to the
Of
ed a resolution OF thanks TO Spea kcr
Cannon for his courtesy and fidelity.
as presiding officer.
II think it Justly due him. said MI.
Clark. Historians Will accord hin,
much space when they como to writc
OF the events Of these times. We wish
him hail and farewell so Gar as tho
speak ership is concerned"
The setting for the swan song for
tho Speaker was all he could desire
The galleries We're crowded felniuin q
visitors ovcrfiowing on the floor Of the
House. They gave him the Chautauuua
salute and tho House arose and greet.
ed him with cheers when he started 10
speak
Cnnnnn's Swan Song.
The raledictory of Speaker Cannon
in laying down the gavel after his
evcntiul term III The speakcrship re-
fcrred TO his election eight years go.
after nearly thirty years service in
the House. -Four times. he SAID, he
mad received tho vote OF u majority
OF the House and became speaker He
recalled when he first marched down
the aisle TO become Speaker. John
sharp Williams. Of Mississippi, intro
duced him
From that time to this" said Mr..
Cannon Il have never forgotten tina.
my duty to the House was to obey rs
Will and enforce its rules. and preside
with courtesy and iinpartiality." Sus-
gesting that all legislative bodies
arc controlled by majority. he spoke
woe to that man or to that min GRITTY
that refuses 10 abide by and conform
TO the Will of tho majority
Because he said, until a ncu. ma :
jority is made. the present ma jority.
voices the Will OF all the people,
subject, yes, 10 criticism, but such cri-
ticism leaves with nc no heartburn
ings. and in life, whether IT be in
church Or state, or In Legislative
bodies, the seeming troubles of those
clothed with power and responsibility
come not from tho majority. but from
the minority.
Il have served in this body for al
most a. generation said Mr.. Cannon
clothed with power on earth and
with its CO. coordinate branch. the Sen
ate. supreme III matters Of legislation.
save alone as limited by the Constitu-
tion. the fixed law, and by the veto Of
tho Executive. have abiding faith
that whatever political body Is In pow
er. the privileges Of the House will
be maintained as defined in tho Con
stitution against All Corners. III their
maintenance rests the freedom, the
security and the liberty of 10000. 900
people.
y leave this place not with regret
have performed the duties Of this
Office according 10 my best Judgment
under the rules OF the House. L do
not leave the House with malice in my
heart toward any colleague toward
any member with whom I have sorv-
cd
My friend, the Speaker to-be the
gentleman from Missouri. AIR. Clark
believes that my departure is my final
departure as Speaker of the House I
agree with him. AT the age of almost
seventy five. in the course of nature
] could not hope to occupy this great
place again, and would not If r could !:
but am SO fond of my friend from
Missouri. the Speaker be. that !
mean to serve under his gentle rule
as member Of the House. and to look
on
q