TYRANT FROM ILLINOIS

A portrait in personal power in which the exploitation of popularity led to political evils. Uncle Jon Cannon, serenely convinced as to what he wanted, not only for himself, but for his country, brought despotism to a peak during his years as Speaker of the House of Representatives, when he carried the prerogatives of his position to arbitrary extremes in favoring the Old Guard Republicans and in suppressing minority groups. This is the full story of his career, of his inherent honesty, of his growing reputation for stratagems, tyranny, and, eventually of his downfall, when Norris, banding Republicans and Democrats, broke Cannon's stranglehold. Although this does not canonize Cannon, it gives all credit possible to the man's personality and character and examines in detail the steps by which he abused his trust. A marker in political history, this is for the close student of government and political theory.