West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-07-02
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS.
The Ion. John Sharp Williams of
Mississippi, The Next Tlosr
Leader in the House OF
Representatives,.
Written for The Argus by Charles A.
Edwards. Secretary Democratic
Congressional Comm Ittec,

Edwards, Secretary Democratic
Congressional Committee.
Soiae time ago told the readers OF this
correspondence that would give them a
few sketches of some Of the public men of
the nation. whose names are seen In prin,
almost every day. and I will begin by say ing
few words concerning the Hon. John
Sharp Williams, Of Mississippi. Mr.. Williams
viii he the next floor leader of the Demo.
cratic party In the National House of Rep.
resen,a,ives. and II is we'll that the Demo-
Gratis OF the country should know something
of him.
Mr.. Williams has been in Congress for the
past ten years, but not until the past four
years has he asserted himself and obtained
the standing in that body that he deserves
TO occupy. His brilliau, intellect might
not then have flashed across the horizon Of
the House, being modest man, had Il mol,
been for the extremely poor leadership
suffered by the Democracy during tha,
period. The leader of the minority party
In the House is always the man who receives
the caucus nomination for Speaker by that
party, That distinction, for the pas, four
years, has been enjoyed by the Hon. James
ID. Richardson, of Tennessee. Mr.. Richard.
son is good man and one of the very best
parliamentarians In the House, but he is A
weak leader. lie lacks political courage.
When the Republicans would hit the Demo.
Gratis over the head with club, instead of
hurting back a brick and scabbing some
ones head Mr.. Richardson invariably would
apologize for being on the face of the earth.
This disgusled and disheartened the Demo.
Gratis, and we invariably 90, the worst of il
until DE Almond, Of Missouri, or John
Sharp Williams came to the rescue and
poured some hot shot into the ranks of the
enemy when they usually we're willing
enough TO retire from the field. 1, was iuN
by such sports as this tina, John Sharp
Williams came TO be known and appreciated
as one OF the ablest men on the floor of the
House, loved and admired 10y the Demo.
Gratis and respected by the Republicans.
II was, therefore, with great pleasure that
the majority of Democrats greeted his an
uouneement last winter that he would he
candidate for the Democratic caucus nomi.
ton for Speaker when the sS,h Congress
assembled. II did not take long for enough
members to enroll themselves under his
banner TO assure his nomination, and thereby
make him the ,itular floor leader of the
Democrats during the life of that Congress.
His leadership will pu, snap aud 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 tina, when he hews out line of
policy that he seldom will make a mistake.
They also know that when he gets afte, the
Republicans the latter will be very ehary in
their attacks on the Democratic party.
They have tested the steel of Mr.. Williams
more than once and they have no appetite
for IL. When in debate with him they know
that their statements must be Photographic
IN their accuracy or they will be badly
lnpped before he gets through with them.
In professional beauty contest Mr..
Williams would be selling-plaier. lie
would not he a good hundred.io.one shot.
His personal pulchrtude is absolutely nil,
but there is no discount on the quality Of
gray matter under his hat. lie has a fine.
we'll shaped head, covered with bushy
curling brown hair, fine eye and a scragry
musiache, but his body is small and as Thin
as stepchld's bread and butter. Bu,
where he defaults in comliness of person, he
makes good in intellectual brIiiancy. One
forgeis all about the fact that he Is not n
physical giant when he is on his feet, and
you ore listening to that weil-modulated
and penetrating voice and watching that
long index finger which he persis,en,Iy
throws at the enemy. From his mouth roll
chunks of wisdom aud eloquence fashioned
IN The most exquisite English ever heard on
the iloor of the House. II IL an intellectual
treat TO hear him. When he rises he can
always count on a full press gallery and
the cloak rooms always empty themselves
into the House, and that Is the greatest
compliment any member Of the House can
receive In short, John Sharp Williams is
an able debater, finished orator, as true
Democrat as ever marked the earth, as
brave as lion, and as relentless as fate
when he goes after Repablcsn jueeler
with facts and hgures. When he gets in
action next winter there will be more Re.
publican hair sailing around the atmosphere
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 10 luck this