The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-11-17
WILLIAMS AS A LEADER.
Mississirpinn Is Displaying Tact in
His Management.
BY R. NJ. Larner.


Washington. Nov. 6.-Representa-
tive John Sharp Williams, the minor
fly leader in the House, is displaying
tact in avoiding taking sides in the
factional contentious which exist in
almost every state delegation. He has
received assurances from Speaker Can
non that his suggestions relative tc
minority committee assignments will
be received with fairness and given
such consideration as political condi-
lions viii permit.
AT the instance of Mr.. Williams the
various delegations are comforting
among themselves as to committee as
signments, and when they reach an
agreement they submit their recon-
Inendations TO Mr.. Williams. and he
takes them UP with Speaker Cannon
In previous Congresses the Republican
speakers have pursued an entirely par
tisan course in dealing with the mi
norlty side of the House in the arrange
ment of the committees, and the result
was a personal scramble by Democrats
to get next" to the Speaker If they
desired to he agreeably placed on com
Tuittees.
The most notable stroke Of policy, in
the line OF party harmony, credited to
Mr.. Williams occurred in the Missouri
delegation. There was an ugly fued
on between Champ Clark and Mr.. De-
Almond, both aspirants for minority
leadership. Clark. without the con-
sent of the state delegation, who fav-
ored DeArmond, announced himself as
a candidate before DcArmond realized
that his delegation was divided. Inc
result was the selection of Williams.
In the interest Of harmony Wiiiiams
named DeArmond as member OF the
Committee on Rules, actually assistant
floor leader, and suggested Clark for
the Committee on Ways and Means.
Both assignments were ratified by
Speaker Cannon. and both DeArmond
and Clark are happy.
Before Mayor-elect Mcclellan leaves
Congress there will he a meeting of the
New York city delegation to select
recognized leader, or more properly
speaking, a chairman of the Democrat
&c members from New York. Mr.. Nc
Clellan now holds that position, and 1t
Is understood that the Hon. William
Sulzer aspires to the honor, and he may
be the final choice of the delegation,
in view of the fact that he once re-
ceived a prOfunctory nomination of the
delegation for speakership honors,
when there was no chance of his cleo
ton. There are some OF the uelegatlon
who play politics from a practical bust
ness standpoint, rather than from a
sentimental attitude, who believe that
Representative Jacob Rupert would be
of greater service to the party in the
next national campaign as chairman of
the New York delegation. He is also
mentioned in connection with the po-
sition of chairman Of the Democratic
Congressional Committee, to succeed
Representative Griggs of Georgia, who
it is understood has no desire to be re-
elected
Mr. Rupert has both experience in
legislative affairs, is a successful bust
mess man, has a pleasing personality
and is popular on both sides of the
House. In many respects he resembles
Mr.. Mcclellan. He is modest and I'M
assuming in his demeanor. but in the
councils of his party his judgment is
highly regarded, and as New York is
TO be the principal battle ground next
year, his friends are anxious to get him
in line for elevation to the chairman
ship of the Congressional Committee.
In the meantime Mr.. Sulzer is proceed
ing upon the theory that 1t is a foregone
conclusion that he will be chosen to
lead the delegation, vice Mcclellan.