Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-24
JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS
Floor Leader of Democrats an Able
 Orator and Debater.
Washington, D. O, June 24, 1903.

Orator and Debater.
 Washington, D. O., June 24, 1908.
 Some time ago told the readers of this correspondence that I would give them a few sketches of some of the public men of the nation, whose names are seen in print almost every day, and l will begin by saying q few words concerning the Hon John Sharp Will Mans of Mississippi. MT Williams WdH be the next floor leader Of the democratic party dn the national house of representa- atiyes, and 1t is we'll that the democrats of the house should know something of 4ldrn. @
 Mr Williams has been in congress Tor the past ten years, but not until the past four years has he asserted himself and obtained the standing in that body that f1e deserves to occupy His brilliant intellect might not then nave flashed across the horizon of the house, being a modest man, had 1t not been for the extremely poor leadership suffered by the denocTacy during that period. The leader Of the minority party in the house is always the man who receives the caucus nomina ton for speaker by that party. That dis tinction for the past four years has been enjoyed by the Hon James D. Richardson of Tennessee. MT Rich ardson is q good man and one of the very best pa1lfamentarians in the house, but he is a weak. leader He lacks political courage. When the re- pnblicans would hit the democrats over the head with a club, instead of hurling back a brick and scabbfng some ones head. Mr Richardson i1l- variably would apologize for being on the face of the earth This disgusted and dislleartened the democrats, and we Invariably got the worst of 1t until Dc Arr1ond Of Missouri or John Sharp Williams came to the rescue and poured some hot shot into the ranks of the enemy, when they usually were willing enough to retire from the field. It was just by such sptla'ts as this that John Sharp Williams came to be known and appreciated as one Of the ablest men on the floor of the house, loved and admired by the democrats and feared and respected by the repub- ncans. It was, therefore, with great pleasure that the majority Of demo- crdts greeted his an1lounce cement last winter that he would be candidate for the democratic caucus nomination for speaker when the 5Sth congress as- sembled. It did not take long fol enough members to enro.- themselves under his banner to assure his nonfn- ation, and thereby make him the titu- lar floor leader of the democrats dur ing the life of that congress. His leadership will put snap and vim and go into the democrats from the very outset. They will have confidence in their leader who will always confer with his colleagues. They know that when he hews out line Of policy that he seldom will make a mistake. They also know that when he gets after the republicans the latter will be very chary in their attacks on the demo- cratic party. They have tested the steel of Mir Williams more than once and they have no appetite for it. When in debate with him they know that their statements must be photographic in their accuracy or they will be badly trippeds before he gets through with them.
 Tn professional beauty contest Mir Williams would be a se1ling-p1ater. He would not be good hundred -to-one shot His personal pulohritude is ab- solutely nil, but there is no discount on the quality of gray matter under his hat. He has a fine, well-shaped head covered with bushy curling brown hair, fine eye and a scraggy anoustache, but his body is small and as thin as stepehild's bread and but ter. But where he defaults in come Hness of person. he makes good in in- tellecttIal brilliancy. One forgets all about the fact that he is not a physi- cal giant when he is on his feet, and you are listening to that well-modT- lated and penetrating voice and watch ing that long index finger which he persistentIy throws at the enemy. From his mouth roll chunks of wisdom and eloquence fashioned in the most exquisite English ever heard on the floor Of the house. It is an intellec- tual treat to hear him. When he rises he can always count on full press gallery and the cloak rooms al- ways empty themselves into the house, and that is the greatest compliment any member of the house can receiva. Tn short, John Sharp Williams is an able debater, a finished orator, as true a democrat as ever marked the earth, as brave as lion, and as relentless as fate when he goes after republican, juggler with facts and figures. When he gets in action next winter there will be more republican hair sailing around the atrno osphere of the house than one has seen since the days of Ben Hill, Lamar, Alex Stephens, Sunset Cox. John Carlisle and Bill Morrison. The democracy is playing in luck this time.
 RAIN AND THE CAMERA SHOP.
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