The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-19
Mississippi Congressman NH be
 Democratic Leader
IS ASSURED OF 4 MAJORITY
Unaer Ills Leadership It Is Believed the Democrats In the House VIII Be Decidedly More Aggressive.
 Washington Gossip.
BY wAT1ERsoN srEALEY.

Washington, April 1s.-(Special)-A let ter received here today from a demo- cratic member of congress who has been promoting the minority leadership or Representative John s. Williams Of Mis- sissippi says that MT. Williams is now assured of clear majority of the l1s members who will comprise the demo- cratic membership in the next house Of representatives. The letter adds that every democratic member has been com municated with and a safe majority is now pledged to MT. Williams.
 Near the close of the last congress, when 1t was announced that Representa- tive James D. Richardson of Tennessee would not again be candidate for the minority leadership owing to the fact that he intended resigning from con- gress before the expiration of his next term in order to give his undivided att tentlon to Masonic work, friends of Rep resentative, Williams of Mississippi at once began systematic canvass in his behalf for the prospective vacancy. Rep resentative Champ Clark of Missouri Reptesentative Ball of Texas, Represen- tative DeArmond of Missouri and Rep resentative Hay of Virginia also entered the field, Representative DeArmond final ly withdrawing in favor Of his colleague, Representative Clark.
 It became apparent early in the race that MT. Williams was distancing his competitors, hence the information from one of his lieutenants to the effect that a safe majority can now be counted upon causes little surprise in democratic cir cles here.
 Mir. Williams a Good Leader. MT. Williams is probably as good ma- terial as can be found on the democratic side for the position of leader. He has just completed his fifth term in congress and has always taken a prominent part in legislative work, especially the debates on the floor of the house, as distinguished from committee work. As a candidate for the minority leadership in the next house he was especially active In the last session, speaking upon nearly every subject of importance before congress- He made a decided hit with all the new democratic members who came to Wash ington to witness the closing days of con- gress.
 MT. Williams is a native of Memphis. Tenn and is 49 years of age. With his family he moved to Mississippi during the civil war. He is considered one Of the best educated men in congress- having graduated from the Kentucky Military institute near Frankfort, Ky; the Uni versity of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. the University of Virginia and the Uni- versity of Heidelberg, Germany. After finishing his course at the latter he began 1 the practice of law in Memphis, Tenn, In | 1877, removing the following year to Yazoo, Miss, where he has since resided, l engaged in the practice of his profess sion and the varied pursuits of a cotton planter He was selected a delegate to the Chicago convention in 1892 which nominated Cleveland and Stevenson.
 Is an Aggressive Member. | Under MT. Williams leadership the ex- | pectancy is that the minority party will I prove decidedly more aggressive than it
 has for several congresses In fact, MT. l Williams has made his campaign with 1 the understanding that If he should be l elected he would begin the fight with the