The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-11-12
The Republic Bureau.

lfth ST. and PennSyINania ave.
Washington. Nov. u.-John Sharp Will
Jams of Mississippi. the new floor leader
of the Democrats in the House of Repre-
sentatives, is in his fiftieth year. and Is
just entering upon. his sixth consecutive
term in Congress.
Mr.. Williams Is reputed to be man Of
wealth, and by common consent is one OF
the best informed and most versatile
members of the House. He is Tennes-
seean by birth, and comes Of a prominent
family in Memphis. His father was well
known throughout the South. He was
Colonel of Tennessee regiment. and was
killed in an engagement with the Union
forces at Shiloh.
Mrs Williams then removed to her ma
tive home in Yazoo. Miss. where the sub
ject of this sketch was placed in school
and began a course OF education which
for variety and thoroughness has not
been enjoyed by many American boys He
attended private school in Yazoo, then
went 10 the Kentucky Military Institute.
later to the University of the South, then
to the University of Virginia, and rounded
out his college work at the celebrated
Heidelburg University in Baden, Germany.
iams travelled extensively in Europe. and
then returned to Mississippi. where ne
engaged in the practice Of the law. and
also became interested in cotton raising.
at which he prospered. He was dele
gate to the Democratic Convention OF
1892. and upon entering the House OF the
Fffty-third Congress at once rose to
high rank as debater Of legal anu
economic questions.
STATEsAIANLIKE QUALITIES.
Mr.. Williams is a virile partisan. but
never has been known to indulge in mere
ly captious criticism of the opposition
party. His reasoning is solid and clear
and his contentious uniformly are made
because Of his convictions of right and Of
wise policies, rather than for the purpose
of scoring an unimportant point against
the Republicans. His friends say that this
course will characterize all his policies as
the minority leader.
In personal appearance Mr.. Williams is
of medium height. slight, but active OF
physique. with a keen. searching eye. ap-
proachahle and companionable, but some
what. reserved excepting with intimate
friends.
Walking from his hotel to the Capitol
the minority leader usually wears a black
slouch hat and business suit. and looks the
typical Southern professional or business
man.
In debate he becomes animated and
thoroughly entertaining. He has the hap
by faculty of Frightening up an academic
a dry subject as an agriculture appropria-
tion bill becomes instructive, witty and
convincing.
When Mr. Turpie of Indiana made a
Arm and palsied and scarcely could artic-
ulate, every Senator sought his seat to fol-
low closely the remarkable gems of legal
and almost t, mathemaeaI nahe ea
Wolcott could command such attention.
In somewhat less degree the speeches of
Mr.. Williams have engaged the attention
shriII. but pleasant to the ear, and he
speaks with unusual clearness and ac-
curacy.
wILLIAMS's POLICIES.
Mr.. Williams's policies as leader will be
to keep the minority solidified and to put !
the best men forward in debate. The ad-
vancement Of De Almond of Missouri to |
the Rules Committee gives him thor
oushly equipped and able lieutenant. The
House leadership is stronger on both sides
than 1t has been in recent years.
The members appreciate that great Is |
sues are at stake in the important debates |
sional elections Of 1901 and the minority |
will be vigilant, aggressive and vet gov |
erned. II is said. by straight lines of party |
rather than an aim to score any |
trintng advantages owes the majority.
Mr.. Williams has appealed to the Demo-
Gratis to work hard in committee so that |
no man on the Republican side might ever
have more information than they on any |
subject before the House. This appeal
well illustrates his character and his de-
sire for solid. tangible and substantial
opposition. where 1t is necessary to op-
pose rather than indulgence in quibbling
Or cavil. Mr.. Williams was chosen
leader without opposition and there is no |
party soreness nor. friction as the result
of his success. The, Democrats are united |
and enter upon the work of the new Com |
zress with determination and good spirits,
under the lead of the talented Missis-