The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-02-21
WILL QUIT CONGRESS
AFTER FORTY-SIX YEARS
UNCLE JOE, NEARING HIS S6TH
BIRTHDAY, ANNOUNCES RE-
TIREMENT AT END OF TERM.
TEARS MEET ANNOUNCEMENT
Given Great Ovation in House. Action
Said to Have Been Influenced by
Persistent Pleading Of His Family.
Has Longest Record of Any Man.

Persistent Pleading Of His Family.
Has Longest Record of Any Man.
WASHINGTON, D. Having
served longer than any man ever elect
ed to the American congress, Repre-
sentative Joseph G. Cannon, OF the
Eighteenth Illinois district, announc-
ed today that he would not be a can
didate to succeed himself next fall.
Mr.. Cannon is approaching his
eighty-sixth milestone. If his life Is
spared until the end Of his term, on
March 1, 1928, he will have rounded
out fory-six years of service in the
house. He broke the record for actual
service more than a year ago, and
since that time, as he himself has ex-
planned he ''has been running along
on velvet"
There were tears in the eyes of
many OF his colleagues when formal
announcement of Uncle Joe's" deter
mination to retire was made on the
floor by Representative Walsh, repub-
lican, Of Massachusetts, described by
the veteran legislator as zone of my
DuuultS. w AiC MI. w dloH was oPCdn-
ing Uncle Joe" sitting apart from
big SLOUGH hat and an overcoat pro-
tecting him from the cold.
Walsh Announces Retirement.
"Mr. Speaker" said Representative
Walsh, zone year ago today, or per-
haps it is ten, we had the pleasure of
having read to the house upon Lin
coins birthday the Gettysburg address
by our beloved and honorable col
league, the gentleman from Illinois,
Mr.. Cannon. | am sure that the house
will learn with keen regret, tinged
with sorrow, that he has announced
he will not be a candidate for renom-
nation and reelection to this house.
1T is not given to many men, Mr..
Speaker, to have served their country
for nearly half a century in its legisla-
tive halls, and for several years prior
to that in public positions. | am sure
that the regret of the house will be
shared by the country at large, that
he he seen fit to lay down his duties
as a public servant, and that voice
the sentiments of all who are serving
with him in the congress OF the Unit
ed States in expressing to him the
wish and the hope that when he lays
down the cares of Office he may have
many years of comfort, peace, con-
tentment and happiness"
After Mr.. Walsh had concluded
members of the house rose and APP
plauded for moment or more. Many
in the galleries joined in the ovation.
Tribute Moves "Uncle joe"
The former speaker was the only
one on the floor to remain seated, his
eyes were trimming with tears and
he clutched in his lap the hat he had
been wearing a few moments before
"Uncle Joe's" family, it is under
stood have been urging him to gut
congress and return to his old home
at Danville, there to pass the rest OF
his life in peace and quiet. As man
long accustomed to battles IN con-
gress the former speaker at t1rst re-
belled but finally he consented. While
he still appears as vigorous as ~
years ago. he is more feeble, his eyes
more dim, and he seldom IS seen as
of old, biting constantly on the end OF
a cigar.
When the house officially took cog
Inizance in December last year OF his
length OF service MI NdlIOl oaiu ~
his colleagues:
"We have had so many OF these
wakes that l am beginning to Won
der if I am not realizing the hope OF
those who desire to return from the
other shore and continue to communi-
cate with their friends who are still
participating in the ordinary affairs OF
this mundane sphere But this IS
compliment that appreciate.
First Elected in 1872.
"The year 1872 was a memorable
one in many respects. Vesuvius had a
violent eruption that year and General
Sherwood and | were elected to the
house. Claude Kitehin and Nick Long
worth at the age Of 2 were concerned
about their first pants"
Hundreds OF poker stories are told
about Uncle Joe" but of recent years
the former speaker has obtained most
of his diversion in the realm OF chance
from dominoes. A few years ago he
learned to play the game at the Ma
tional Press Club and almost every
evening he goes there for few games
with some of his colleagues in the
house of representatives. He leaves the
club for home promptly at O'Clock.