111th Congress, 2nd Session
Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon of Illinois
May 07, 1836
Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon of Illinois was born in Guilford, North Carolina. “Uncle Joe” Cannon’s career in Congress spanned almost five decades. During that time, Cannon served as chairman of three committees: Expenditures in the Post Office Department, Rules, and Appropriations. In the 58th Congress (1903–1905), he chaired the Rules Committee and served as Speaker of the House (1903–1911). As chair of the Rules Committee, Cannon managed the floor schedule for legislation and, as Speaker, he controlled the debate on the floor. During Cannon’s reign, he usurped power from the committee chairs and ruled the Congress with an iron fist, earning him the nickname “Czar Cannon.” He once said, “Sometimes in politics one must duel with skunks, but no one should be fool enough to allow skunks to choose the weapons.”
Related Highlight Subjects
Cite this Highlight
Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/highlights.html?action=view&intID=49, (December 07, 2010).For Additional Information
Office of History and Preservation(202) 226-1300
history@mail.house.gov
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The namesake of the Cannon House Office Building, Joseph Cannon of Illinois, served 46 years–making him the institutions seventh longest-serving Member.
Oil on canvas, William T. Smedley, 1912, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives
Teaching Tip
Wielding the Gavel
Ask students to locate three stories pertaining to Speakers of the House. Have students select and conduct research on one of the Speakers using historical highlights and the Biographical Directory bibliography.
