The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-07

Uncle lJoe~ Cannon one of the most
 picturesque figures in the half cen
 lury or American politics. and the
 Earl of Rosebery, who has occupied no less exalted position in England's political activities are among the great
 men who will be the recipients of birthday congratulations to-day The former F'Czar'' of the House of Repre- sentatives, now a private citizen re- siding in Danville, H., passes his sew enty-seventh milestone Of life to-day
 while the eminent British statesman is sixty-six.
 Joseph Gurney Cannon Is native of
 North Carolina, the son of Dr. Horace F. Cannon. His connection with H. l1nois politics began shortly after his admission to the bar at the age of twenty-two. He went to Washing ton from Danv1l1e forty years ago, and was continuously a member of the House Of Representatives, with the ex- ception of one term, until his retire. ment last March. While millions dis liked his political views and methods, and sought his overthrow, everybody likes Uncle Joe,'' the shrewd and wit ty old gentleman, honely, and unafect- ed, who has an opinion on everything under the sun, and expresses his views in language that is mixture of the phrases of a Methodist exhorter and a profane poker player. ca
 Uncle Joe'' has declared that he H, 4 left the House with a record for years of service far beyond that of any other member of Congress. He served the House as Speaker longer than any other man, except Henry Clay, and the Iatter's service was not coutfnI1- ous. Many of his friends have urged Mir. Cannon to write his "reminiscences but he has no intention of doing so.
 '@Too many books are being written now" said Uncle Joe.'' land shall not add to the number. Not one book in a thousand survives. It is almost a crime to cut down the forests to supply the paper for so many books"
 MT. Cannon's opinion of books is shared by Lord Rosebery, the former prime minister, who passes his six ty-sixth milestone to-day z Whenever a new library is opened anywhere in England, the Earl is asked to make an address.
 T have spent my life opening libra ries,'' said Earl Rosebery recently, 1.and I am wearied to death of 1ibrar- of the lists of one hundred best books which so many authorities are willing to supply, on the slightest provocation, and I am convinced that if any man proceeded to read such a collection of volumes he would never wish to read again.
 Lord Rosebery first became promin- ent in English politics as secretary of foreign affairs in the Gladstone gov ernnent of 1ss6 and again in 1892 to 1894. He took a leading part in the great debate on the second. Home Rule Bill twenty years ago. and made one of his most eloquent speeches in defence of the bill. In 1894! on the resignation of Mir Gladstone, Queen Victoria offered the post of prime min ister to Lord Rosebery, and he car ried on the government until July, 1895. He then urged on his support CTS that the general election should have as it's chief issue the predom- thence of the House of Lords. Lord Rosebery's tribute to Gladstone, de- livered from his place in the House of Peers in 1898 was a most eloquent oratorical effort Lord Rosebery has recently contributed largely to the