The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-09
CANNON NOT A CANDIDATE
~, UtLI NOT STAND FOR THF
UINORITI LEADERSHIP.
The Honor viii Doubtless 60 10 nm Out
and out Regular After a Fight That
May Rival In Bitterness Those Of the
Last session Mann May Isc Selected.

WASHINGTON. March S.--All plans of
the in-urgcnt Republicans to make Joseph
G. Cannon the central figure in a fight
over the selection Of leader to direct
TIE Republican minority in the now House
will 20 for naught. Mr.. Cannon will not
I've a candidate for the minority leader.
ship This does not mean that there will
not be a fight for the place. In fact there
will be a row over it that may surpass in
bitterness any of the factional contests
that marked the life of the Sixty-tirst
congress.
The minority leadership in the coming
House will not be an empty honor by any
means. The member who lands it will
nc in line for tho Speakership when the
Republicans again como into control of
tho House, and it is with this idea in view
that a number of leaders will 60 out for
the place.
Just what part former Speaker Cannon
~ill play in the race is a matter OF con-
iccture. His friends believe he will stand
o. the side lines ready to pitch in only
in the event of tho danger Of the nominal
ton of some one who may at times have
been rather lukewarm in support of the
old organization
There have been reports here in the
bs. few weeks that some of the insurgents
might refuse to 60 into the party caucus
thet will be held to select the Republican
leader. These were based on the state
ments Of insurgents that as they are out
numbered by the regulars by about two
to one it would be useless for them to
expect much consideration on a straight
vote on the question of selectinga minority
leader.
While efforts will be made by the regu-
lars to unite the party for purposes Of
a;tPok on the Democrats doubt is ex-
Pressed that such a move will meet with
success. In the first place no insurgent
nor half-hearted regular will be nomi-
nated for the minority leadership. The
honor will go to en- out and out regular
According to statements made here to-day
here will he no compromise on this point
This will be made clear at the outset
md regulars believe that this means that
ne b. CT the Western insurgents will refuse
% icin in the party caucus, which will
be held the week preceding the rees-
of Congress in April.
: II signs now point to the nomination
D. Representative James r. Mann of
llinc /, as the minority leader. For some
y.ers he ha 5 been the lieutenant OF Speaker
Cannon On the floor Of the House Serene
+. Payne OF New York has sported the
badge Of leadership. but others have
.houldered the responsibility. notably
tep reEcntative Mann. Mr. Mann will
be the choice OF Mr.. Cannon.
However, Mr. Cannon will probably let
he question be settled without inter-
orence on his part
Other Republicans stood by the Cannon
'rganization through thick and thin.
irong them Representative Olmsted
& Pennsylvania. and Uncle Joe will
refrain from taking sides for |
me friend as against another in the COM |
ng contest. 1t is the hope Of the regu-
ars that the question will be settled |
ong before the caucus and most OF them
're inclined to concede that Mr. Mann
will be the choice.
II is well known to the friends Of Uncle
Ioe that he will neither seek nor accept
the minority leadership. In his speech
in the House last Saturday. that marked
he close Of the session. Mr. Cannon
that under no circumstances
would he again be a candidate for the
flee of Speaker.
Realizing that the minority leadership
nay mean the stepping stone to the speak
rship Mr.. Cannon has decided to efYace
himself so far as Leadership implying
occupancy OF place Of responsibility
concerned. All Republicans realize
nat in his present state OF health MIR.
annon will do lot OF leading himself
whoever may be designated for the
ervce by the party caucus.
There is talk here that il the progressives
emain away from the regular caucus they
nay hold a "rump' meeting. In the alb
ence Of the progressive leaders an au-
hortative statement as to the course
i the insurgents cannot be obtained.
The Democrats view with satisfaction
ne proposal of row among the Repubii
ans over the minority leadership. They I
70 having their troubles over House
ommttees, They are hopeful that there
VII he a fareup in the minority to divert !
Hhhc attention from the shrieks OF an {
ush that will rend the heavens when
'appolnted Democratic seekers for
'lace- begin to talk out loud about the