The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-08
NOMINATE
JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS
LEADER OF MINORITY
Hay of Virginia Reelected
Chairman of Caucus.
AN OVATION TO MCCLELLAN
Baker of New York Continues opposi-
tion to Acceptance of Rail
road Passes.

Pursuant to call issued by Chair
man Hay, the Democrats Of the House |
met in caucus IN the Hall of Repre-
the following nominations for House
officers:
For Speaker, Representative John
Sharp Williams of Mississippi
For clerk of the House, Charles A.
Edwards. of brexas
For sergeant-at-arms, ex-Representa-
tive E. V. Brookshire of Indiana.
For doOrkeeper. A J. Julian. Of
Georgia.
For postmaster. J. K. Jackson. of Ala
bama.
For chaplain. the Rev. f. B. Bagby.
OF Virginia
For pair clerk. James F. English. of
California
For special employees. Col Isaac hfll.
Of Ohio; Fenton B. knight OF Georgia,
and Joseph J. Sinnott. Of Virginia
Owing to the fact that the Republi-
cans have majority in the House none
OF the nominees viii be elected with the
exception of the pair clerk and the
special employees. The latter officers are
accorded to the minority by the majori-
ty. Representative Williams nomination
for the SDeaksrship VIII. however, ac-
cording to precedent long established.
make him the minority leader upon the
floor OF the House. He thus succeeds to
tie position keld BY Representative
Richardson OF Tennessee during the
Firty-sixth and F'ifty-seventh Con-
crosses. Mr. Richardson announced
some months ago that he would not
again be a candidate for the honor and
the selection OF Mr. Williams TO sue
ceed him vas made by unanimous vote.
The only other business OF the caucus
was the introduction OF two resolutions,
one by Mr.. Williams and one by Repre-
sentative Baker OF New York.
Hay Reelected Chairman.
The caucus was called to order at 2
Oclock by Representative Hay OF Vir-
ginia. and Of the III Democratic mem
| bers OF the House, III We're present and
responded to the roll call. One vacancy
exists. from the Eighth Texas district,
! caused by the resignation Of Repre-
| sentative Thomas II. Ball. and will be
/ filled at a special election soon to be
/ held This VIII bring the Democratic
membership up to 17s. Representative
Hay was unanimously reelected chair
man OF the caucus, and Representative
/ Cowherd OF Missouri and Representa-
/ tive Smith Of Kentucky We're chosen
secretaries. Representative George B.
| Mcclellan, Jr., nlayor-elect Of New York,
came IN a few minutes late and received
/ a tremendous ovation from his associ-
/ ates Members gathered about him ex-
| tending congratulations. and the pro
I ceedings were interrupted for a short
time. The new mayor was happy. and
looked the part.
The caucus then proceeded to business
I and Representative Cooper Of Texas
placed Mr.. Williams In nomination for
! Speaker The nomination was received
/ with cheers, and was seconded by Rep
/ resentatiYe Vandiver of Missouri and
/ Representative Clayton OF Alabama. Mr.
williams who was waiting IN the Ways
( and Means Committee room was escort
ed 10 the hall by Representatives Coop
/ er. Vandiver. and Mcclellan. Loud ap-
| plause greeted his appearance, and Mr.
williams made a speech in which he
thanked his associates for the honor
and asked their assistance in presenting
a solid front 10 the majority.
| In order that there might be concerted
action by the minority Mr.. Williams
especially urged that the Democratic
members Of the various committees keep
| the floor leader well informed as to all
! proposed legislation in the committees.
He concluded by Offering a resolution,
" nicl was a8IGeu TO- urging lne ma
iority to accord the minority an addi-
| tionaI member on the Committee on
| Ways and Means. thus increasing the
Democratic membership upon that COM
rnittee from six in the last Congress to
seven in the present one, and to base
the minority representation upon other
committees upon their representation in
the Fifty-sixth Congress. The remain
ing nominations, with one exception.
We're made by acclamation.
Thank Retiring Leader.
Representative Stephens OF Texas Of
fered a resolution. which was adopted.
extending the thanks Of the Democrats
TO Representative Richardson CT Ten
nessee. the retiring minority leader, for
his services. Mr.. Richardson made a
brief speech in response. in which he
i expressed his gratitude for the kindly
/, feeling of the members.
I Representative Baker Of New York
offered a resolution to the effect that
no Democratic member should ride on a
free railroad pass and by a vote OF 72
to "a IL was referred to a committee
composed of MeSsrs. Baker of New
York, GOoch of Kentucky, and Living
ston OF Georgia
No action was taken by the caucus
outlining a policy to be followed by the
party either upon the Cuban reciprocity
matter at the extra session or during
the forthcoming regular session The
caucus adjourned subject 70 the caA OF