The Butte inter mountain., 1901-12-02
Mr.. RICHARDSON'S APPEAL.

Saturday the members of the demo-
cratic minority in congress sot to-
gether for the purpose of mapping out
plan of campaign and setting up the
pins for the opening of congress. 1t
was apparently little concern to them
that there is not a ghost of a show for
the minority 10 secure anything in the
way of offices in the house organization,
The full slate was put up and to all in
tents and purposes the battle front of
the party was as solid as if the bal
loting for speaker and other officers
would be all their way. The resolu-
tions introduced We're tart enough to in
dlcate that the spice of life was not
lacking in the minority party and there
was enough debate and oratorical pull
ing and hauling to show that while few
in numbers there was no discount on
the lung power of the congressman.
But it was in the speech with which
James D. Richardson of Tennessee ac-
cepted the leadership of the house that
the weakness of the party was indi-
Gated. Il shall not attempt here and
now to discuss or lay down any princi-
pies by which we are to be governed as
party. 1t would not be appropriate
for me to do so.' said the newely elected
leader. There is one thing, however,
that will say now at the very beginning
of our service, because I believe it is
l urge upon you and each of you the
surprising Importance of attending the
sessions of the house. We have a mi
nority consisting of about 100 members.
If every member of this opposition will
attend the sessions we will make our
opposition effective and oftentimes will
be able to defeat our opponents in their
efforts to pass unwse and improper
measures. I feel that I have the right
to ask you and I do ask you. now that
you are chosen to fill a seat in the house.
that you be as anxious to occupy that
seat as you assured your constituents
you were desrous of occupying it before
the election"
Then by way of encoura cement the
house leader held out a hope OF reward
to the minority. 1t was a forlorn hope,
Dul llc was opedhltlS " d I'LL
norty, so what was the difference?
IF we will be punctual in attendance,
although in the minority, we will be
able to do much toward enactins whole
some legislation and more and above all
that we will be able to prevent the en-
actment of many bad laws" he ex-
claimed with refreshing earnestness.
''The country will be able, when
the session closes, to pass judg-
ment not only upon the action
and conduct of the majority side
of the house, but also upon the other
side, and if we act wisely and patrioti-
cally we will place our party in the
position to deserve and to command a
decisive victory in the congressional
election of next year and still greater
triumph in the national contest of 1904"
1t is doubtful If a more significant in
cident will occur in this session of con-
gress than the speech of Mr.. Richard
son. His attempt to rally the faltering
host that has chosen him it's leader is
a pretty good sign that the minority
party has no stomach for fighting. 1t
is plain that Mr.. Richardson sees a
prospect of being leader without hav-
ing anyone to lead. He asks the con-
gressmen who have come back to con-
gress to take their seats and keep them
if they go away back and sit down
they will be carrying out the expressed
wish of the people and obeying the be-
hest of the house leader to the letter.