The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-03-03


AN to the Forty-third congress 0873-5)
and failed of reelection the Fifty-thrd ClS95-o)
and Sxty-second (1911-13) congresses He was
speaker in the Fifty-eighth Fifty-ninth, Sixtieth
and Sxty-frst congresses (19O3-1911). His district
comprises the counties of Clark. Cumberland, Ed
gar, IroquOis, Kankakee and VermiliOn, with
population of about 100000. He lives in Danville
and is a lawyer and banker He was born in
Guilford n. c., and will be eighty-fve years old
May Z. 1921.
Uncle JOe' Cannons name is exceedingly IA
miiiar to the United States at large; probably
few public men widely known. So the
foregoing facts about him are pretty generally
Known While the veteran is interesting as an
individual and legislator he is also interesting
as landmark by which the progress of things
may be measured The jubilatiOn held by the
house when Uncle Joe" set the new service mark
was therefore decidedly interesting affair." Times
have changed and have changed with them
since he was elected to congress in 1872 and here
some of the utterances which hint at the
changes of nearly half century.
Former Speaker Champ Clark of Missouri
When Joseph G. Cannon born on the battle
field of Guilford Court House. victory for Lord
CORVALLIS, the fruits of which were repealed by
General Greene did not have any railroads
any telegraphs, any telephones any sewing ma
chimes, any repeating rifles, and thousand and
one things that we consider necessary to our mod
ern civilization. When celebrated Uncle
JOe's eighteth birthday laid down the conditions
on which man could serve long as he had
In the first place, the politics of his district must
remain the same. In the second place. he must
be man of force and ability. In the third
place. he must remain faithful the North
Star. 1 said that Uncle Joe" filled those con-
ditiOns think yet that he does.
William A rodenberg of nlinOis-Joseph G.
Cannon first elected in 1872 as a representa-
tive in the FOrty-third congress from the four
teenth district of Illinois, and he became member
of this body March 4, 1873. the same day on
which Ulysses S. Grant inaugurated for the
second time President of the United States.
How far we have Travelled since that day may
be understood when we recall that at the time
OF Mr.. Cannon's first election the population of
the United States was estimated at 40,596OOO as
against 106O0O,OO0 today; there were 81 states
then as against 48 today the public wealth, which
estimated at something $30000,O00OOO
in 1872, is placed at more than 100000, 100000
now the bank deposits which then amounted to
S1,25OOOO,OOO have grown to S32,7O0OOO,OOO, and
railroad service has expanded from 5000
miles of track in operation than 26SOOO
miles That in brief, summarizes the vast strides
that We have made in material progress since he
has been member of this house.
Some idea of how the post Office department has
expanded can alse be had when remember that
in 1873 the receipts aggregated $23OO0OO0 and the
disbursements $29.O00OO0, while last year the
ceIpts were $437. 100000 and the disbursements
S454. 100000
But it will not be because of his services upon
the committee post offices and post roads, val
liable they were, that his fame viii rest After
serving for six years upon that committee he
assigned by Samuel J. Randall, Democratic
speaker TO the committee on appropriations in
the Forty-sixth congress- and il is because OF his
identity with the workings of that important COM
mittee down to the time of his elevation to the
speakership that his fame will remain assured
throughout the ages. 1t can be truthfully said
that no man has proved stronger bulwark Of
protection to the federal treasury at all times
and under all circumstances
Irrespective OF the temporary Interruptions in
his long and distinguished career, the event we