The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-03-13
LOVING TRIBUTE is
PAID TO JUNGLE JOE"
TRIUMPHAL EXIT FROM THE
HALLS OF CONGRESS MADE
by VETERAN STATESMAN.

WASHINGTON, D. C.-The six
ty-seventh congress passed into legis-
lative history at noon, Mar 3rd. With
its passing IS United States senators
and 10 congressman retired to pri-
vate life.
Many of the statesmen who faded
out of the national picture are illus
trious men, with years OF pubic SER
vice to their credit, All were given
ovations during the closing session by
their colleagues who will carry on, but
none was so honored as Uncle Joe
Cannon, OF Illinois, who retired with
a record OF 40 years iii the house, the
longest service record in the annals
of the American congress.
1t was in the house chamber where
the last moments of the congress were
dramatic and the climaxtic scene was
the exit Of Uncle Joe" There was
no sound that could escape the vet
eran statesman's lips in reply TO the
parting tribute from his colleagues.
Eyes Dimmed by Tears.
With republicans and democrats
standing and cheering, the venerable
Cannon, hat in hand, his overcoat
wrapped about him, marched down
the center aisle OF the house escorted
by Representative Rodenberg, repub-
lican, Illinois He never turned his
head to right or LETT. His face was set,
his steps sturdy, but his eyes were
dimmed with tears as he strobe
through the corridor formed by his
many friends, around then speakers
rostrum to the exit door leading into
the members lobby and out into CON
gressional history as one OF its lore
most figures
1t was a triumphal exit and it came
Immediately after Representative
Hicks. republican, New York, had de-
livered the final words OF tribute to
Mr.. Cannon When the tribute was
concluded, 10 minutes before noon,
Uncle Joe" stood in the rear OF the
hall ready to go. There were no cries
OF speech! speechr' for all knew that
Cannon would not trust himself to at
tempt to say farewell. As the cheers
from his colleagues greeted his ap-
pearance at the head OF the aisle the
aged statesman grasped Rodenberg's
arm and turned toward the rear exit.
Served With II Presidents.
American public life lost ore OF its
American public life lost one OF its
most picturesque figures. For longer
than most readers can remember the
black felt hat, white chin whiskers
and aggressive cigar of the Illinois
lawmaker have been familiar in con-
gress. In fact, congress without IN
Gle Joe cannot be quite the same.
He has quit with 40 years of ser
vice behind him, and he goes volun-
tarily, believing that rest might
prove useful. He is 81 years old and
hearty. He was four times speaker OF
the house, has remained there longer
than any other man, and in other days
was looked upon as something OF
martinez when in power.
Elected to House in 1873
Uncle Joe's term as speaker was the
second longest in the history of the
house, and he has lasted years longer
than most OF the 5000 men who have
served in congress. He was elected to
the house in 1873, and had an uninter-
rupted service since then, with the eX-
ception OF four years.
He served under II presidents
Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur Cieve
land. Harrison Mckinley, Roosevelt,
Taft, Wilson and Harding. When he
was first elected only a few members
OF the present house could vote
Saw Railroads Cross Alleghenies
Il have seen this country develop
so as to make the United States the
marvel OF the world and the model OF
free government everywhere, even in
the Orient" said Mr. Cannon a few
days ago. Il am old enough to have
seen the railroads, cross the ALE
gheny mountains and spread like a
spider web over the whole country
carrying the products OF the west to
the seaboard more economically than
they could be exchanged in New Eng
land before this era OF steam.
Il have seen the introduction OF the
reaper and the mower, the gang pillow
and the whole revolution in agricul-
ture by labor saving machinery. l
have seen the telegraph, the telephone
and radio, the electric railroad and the