The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-11-13
Long Career Ended

~ Uncle Joe Cannon was a typical American HIS
* rugged honesty and patriotism were OUTSTANDING
H. features Of picturesque po!itical career WIZ"
y started with Abraham lincolns administration anu
had contact with that Ct Calvin Coolidge s-a "os'
remarkable span Of public activity.
x Associated in the public mind most for the "sor
- OILS and somewhat dictatcria manner in which ne
- presided over the House of Representatives, his ser
- vices nevertheless were many for the pubic soou'
r. Although strong partisan and the target Oh most
bitter political invcctve Uncle Joe could be as suave
. as he was harsh and had the happy faculty OF WIN
ming enemies BY kindly disposition, hidden OFTEN
Z. under a rough and brusque demeanor his Dark
|, was ever worse than his bite and his friends who
knew his better side valued his character at Its
: true worth. The public during the final years OF
=: Cannons changed it's estimate OF his charac-
ter and of the value Of his services to the Republic
unique personality has gone from political CIR
r cles He was noted more for whinlscaty OF char
~ acter than for craftsmanship His appearance was
always good copy for the feature writer and cartoon
y: ist Cannon's mannerisms widely circulated
4 as well as Joe's wit and genial humor. Mere often
his real contribution to public service failed to get
=, as much emphasis in Washington dispatches as some
a9 homcy witticsm that fell from his lips during the
=. heat Of debate or conference.
- Like Lincoln he was educated in the university Of
s.. hard knocks. He hardly the inside Of school
: house and was product of the stirring times that
\ gave America Lincoln, Grant, Stephen A. Douglas
~ and many leaders Of public thought.
i, Under the cid house rules, Cannon speaker was
virtually dictator and he used the power at times
=. reentcssy. There great wave Of Indignation
81 in polite al circles over Cannonsnl. The House rules
= were attacked and finally revised that speak
er since Cannon has ever welded the absolute power
. he did. He sturdy partisan and believed that
to the victor belonged the spells, but he against
ii, public waste and fought pork barrel drives thu
~ public treasury with vigor that often brought
:, strong opposition from within his own party.
g For who ruled absolutely AS he did the
= destinies Of the House he personally pOpula,
Y with all members. Most human in his habits, he was
y I'm the parlancc Of the street good mixer. lie
just loved folks and made friends easily and held
q them to the end. Generous, congenia Uncle Joe
- Cannon fills niche in the American Hall Of Fame
h unique in political annals. No ether public char
}: acter resembles him. He original in his thought
!: and persistent in following the light he it
IL Fearless, he sought popularity the lime
:. light yet few in Washington enjoyed such
!: licity.
:; Uncle Joe Cannon has been regarded as an nsti
tuition. He will be remembered more fer what ht
:: personally than for what he did. No
ii meets any great legislation his and wthOu
e ransacking the Official records, it is hard offhan,
Il fought for. He just. "a rigid party VIII,
:, played the game the square and to the
us Of the trail honest and clean