"THIS COUNTRY IS A HELL OF A SUCCESS!"

UNCLE JOE MAY BE RETIRED BUT WON'T PART WITH SIGNATURE HAT & STOGIE

Danville, Illinois (JFK+50) On March 10, 1923, the Evening Star reports former Speaker of the House of Representatives Uncle Joe Cannon*, "retired from public service for the first time since he went to Washington during the administration of President (Ulysses S.) Grant," is back home "to rest" here in Danville**.

At 87 years of age, Uncle Joe appears "tired" and "pale."  Perhaps this is why he chose to forego a welcome home celebration.

The Star says that despite his retirement, the former Speaker will "not part" with his signature black felt hat or "historic long black stogie."

When pressed by reporters to give a statement, Uncle Joe said...

"This country is a hell of a success!"

*Joseph Gurney Cannon (1836-1926) was born in Guilford County, NC & attended University of Cincinnati Law School. 

JGC served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives 1903-1911 & is considered to be one of the most dominant speakers in U.S. history. 

The Cannon House Office Building is named in his honor.

**Danville, located in east-central Illinois, is 120 miles South of Chicago & 90 miles West of Indianapolis.  The city was founded in 1827.

SOURCE

"Home to Stay, 'Uncle Joe' Says U.S. Is 'Hell of Success,'" The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 10, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Uncle Joe Cannon

Republican National Convention

Chicago (1904)

"ONE OF MOST PICTURESQUE FIGURES IN CONGRESS"

"UNCLE JOE" CANNON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 13, 1922, Joseph Gurney Cannon* (R-Illinois) announced his plans to "not be a candidate for re-election" at the end of his current term.

The former Speaker is serving his twenty-third term in the House of Representatives.  He issued the following statement...

"I am not a candidate for election to the Sixty-eighth Congress."

The Evening Star describes "Uncle Joe"  as "one of the most picturesque and widely known figures in Congress."  He will turn 86 years old in May and plans to retire to his home in Danville**.

*Joseph Gurney Cannon (1836-1926) was born in Guilford County, North Carolina & attended University of Cincinnati School of Law.  JGC served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives & chairman of the Rules Committee, 1903-1911.  He ruled the House floor with an iron fist so that he was called 'Czar Cannon.'

**Danville, founded in 1827, is located 120 miles south of Chicago & is named after land contributor Dan W. Beckwith.  Danville became a major industrial city. 

JFK+50 NOTE

The Cannon Office Building, first building for members of Congress outside the United States Capitol, was named in honor of Speaker Cannon.  

SOURCES

"Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon of Illinois, History, Art and Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, www.history.house.gov/

"'Uncle Joe' Cannon Will Retire From Politics at End of Term," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Newspaper Archive, Newspaper of Evening Star, February 13, 1922, www.gastearsivi.com/

   

 

Time Magazine's First Cover

Vol 1 No 1, March 3 1923

Illustration by William Oberhardt 

Time Magazine Archive