Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

him, the word leader would be a mis-
homer, because 1t would be his intention
t. reflect the wishes of his party. He would
expect the minority members of the COM
mittee when bills were brought in to ac-
quaint him with their contents and effect.
so that the democrats would know at first
hand the effect of all legislation proposed
by the majority.
Minority officers Elected.
Mr.. Williams remarks were received with
great enthusiasm. AT their conclusion the
caucus proceeded to elect the officials al
lowed to the minority.
New Leader of the Minority.
John Sharp Williams. who was today
chosen as leader of the minority in the
House of Representatives. VIII enter Mon
day upon his sixth term as a member OF
the lower branch of Congress. his service
dating from March 3, 1893. when the Fifty
third Congress nominally came into exist
ence. 1t is thus at the end of ten years of
faithful party service in the halls OF the
been honored with the highest compliment
that can come from his colleagues on the
floor OF the House. That he is deserving of
the compliment and that he will make an
friends and adherents confidently assert.
In his term in Congress Mr.. Williams has
been power on the democratic side, and
the republicans have always had his cool
and logical arguments to reckon with
when the Lines of party battle were tightly
drawn The gentleman from Mississippi
has proved his ability many times to cope
with the most learned of his brothers of
the opposite political faith. He Is par
Humanitarian of recognized attachments.
That Mr.. Williams would be selected for
the honor conferred by the caucus today
has long been conceded. Just as
1t was known that Representative James
D. Richardson of Tennessee was to retire
from political life to devote his time to
the Scottish Rite MasOnS, the name of
Mr.. Williams was brought into prominence.
Before the last session of Congress adj
journed it was generally known that the
Mississippian would be the party's choice
for the speakershp nomination this fall
For time there was considerable talk as
to the possible candidacy of Representative
Champ Clark of Missouri. Mr. Clark did
not consider the matter seriously at any
time, however, and announced formally
some time ago that he not in the run
ming. With Mr.. Clark definitely out of the
way Mr.. Williams path clear of every
obstacle
Career of Representative Williams.
The career of the new democratic leader
on the House side of Congress is fraught
with much interest. lawyer by profess
sion but extensively engaged in cotton
planting, he first came into the political
situation of his home state at the time of
the Chicago convention which nominated
SieNeidHu anu oteNeHSOll, wien ne was d
member of the Mississippi delegation. His
first public Office was that of representative
in Congress, and since his first election
such he has been chosen his
successor ever since. most of the time with
out opposition, either within without his
own party. At the congressional election
last fall Mr.. Williams received every vote
cast in his district, the eighth Mississippi
He has served IN the Fifty-third Fifty
fourth. Fifty-ffth. Fifty-sixth and Fifty
seventh Congresses, and will now lead his
party in the Fifty-eighth
Mr.. Williams resides at YaZoo. in YaZOO
county. the homestead of his mothers fam
lily. He is a native Of Tennessee. however,
having been born at Memphis July 80. 1854,
year. His mother having died and his
father who was colonel of the eth Ten
nessee Volunteers, confederate states army,
being killed at Shiloh his relatives moved
with him to YaZoo where his mother $
family was located. At this time Memphis
was threatened with capture by the federal
troops and was deserted by all who could
we'll afford to leave the city.
Mr.. Williams received fair educat ton at
private schools and afterward was stu
cent at the University of the South,
Sewanee, Tenn: the kentucky Military In
stitute, near Frankfort Ky: the Cniver-
sity of Virginia, and Heidelberg Germany.
After pursuing this academic course the
young man studied law with Profs. Minor
and Southall at the University of Virginia
and in the Office of Harris, Mckisick d
Turley in Memphis. In 1877 he was grant
ed a license to practice in the courts of
law and chancery in Shelby county. Tenn
In December, 1873, Mr.. Williams went back
to YaZoo. where he has since resided, prac-
ticing his profession and being engaged in
the varied pursuits of the cotton planter