The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-01-25
STORIES FROM WASHINGTON.
Cannon's Power AS An OratOr-LOng-
worth Lucky Man-Clark on Phrc-
nology.
Correspondence

Brooklyn Eagle.)
Speaker Cannon yesterday gave a
marvellous demonstration of the DOW
er of oratory over men and of his
ability 10 get votes. With the meas
ure known as the pension grab"
hanging in the balance, Cannon left
the Speakers rostrum and In a To-
minute speech electrified the House
and jammed the bill through so en-
peditiously that nobody demanded a
roll call.
II was the first time the Speaker
has taken the floor since his notable
speech for a duty on oil during the
tariff fight. on which occasion his ap-
peal was In vain.
There Is something curious about
the Cannon oratory. When read in
cold type his speeches never seem
wonderful. AS delivered by the vet
eran statesman they have a peculiar
charm and compelling influence. AS
Chevalier's song has 1t, 1T is the way
he does it." The shaking of his griz-
zled head. waving Of his left arm and
graceful. and at the same time awk-
ward, swaying and bending his body
TO emphasize his utterances all serve
to impress the listener with the fact
that Mr.. Cannon is a speaker of rare
force.
The bill will add s45. 1000, 900 to the
yearly cost of pensions. Wholesale
cowardice was shown in the vote
which put the bill through. On every
hand members were heard saying
that the legislation was an outrage
and . piece of political jobbery. A
great sigh of relief went up when no
one demanded a roll call, and the
Speaker declared the bill was passed.
Many folks here are wondering
why Mr.. Longworth was picked out to
introduce the Administration tariff
commission measure Men like Bever-
idge. Cumnins. Lenroot and several
others were In favor of the tarif com
mission and were fighting for it long
before Mr.. Longworth came to Con-
gress. 1t is not recalled that the
Ohio man ever made himself obnox-
ious to the standpat Republicans by
advocating a scientific revision of the
tariff through the medium of a COM
mission OF experts.
Senator Lodge will introduce the
Administration BIZ IN The Senate Thi-
announcement has much hidden sig
nliicance. u means that Mr.. Lodge
VIII hereafter snuggle up as close az
ne can 20 the Taft administration. II
was noted by keen observers that af-
ter Mr.. Roosevelt left the White
House Mr.. Lodge rarely visited that
historic place. He kept away during
the long period OF absence Of his
friend. the Colonel.
Those who were curious to know
just what Colonel Roosevelt thought
of President Taft sought to find out
from Senator Lodge. The latter was
getting frequent mails from Africa. 1t
was thought that II Roosevelt were
to blow cold on Mr.. Taft Lodge would
do likewise. AS the latter gave the
white House a wide berth, 1t was
concluded by the wise ones that mat
ters between the two other men were
not running as smoothly as they
might.
Now Mr.. Lodge calls frequently at
the White House. He Is to champion
the Taft tariff commission measure
and perhaps he may be referred to as
the Administration mouthpiece In the
Senate. To be sure. Lodge is fighting
hard for reelection and nay get some
advantage IL word goes out that he
stands wei, with the Federal admin
istratton.
There Is something i'm Dhrenolopv