The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-01
Adjournment Of I'ifty-eighth
Congress Found the Minority 4
y. Party Thoroughly Unite.
HAVE A FIGHTING
CHANCE FOR VICTORY
Democratic Forces Never Before
Had as Many Able Speakers :
in Their Ranks. and Mr..
cockran's Speeches Last
DAYS Of Session Contri-
butcd to Confidence.
tFrom our Regular Correspondent.

tFrom our Regular Correspondent.
WAS HINGTON r. C.. April 3g.-TEe
edjournmcnt Of the firat session Of the
iifty-eighth Congress finds the Democrats
OF that body In better condition than
they have been at the close Of any con-
gressional session in twenty years. The
people OF the country generally cannot
from newspaper accounts OF the do!nss
OF Congress for the past few months be-
gin to realize how compact, and thor
oughly united Is the minority, nor can
they form an idea Of the enthusiasm Of
the Democrats on the eve of prcsiden-
t!al campaign.
1t is recalled that when the Congress.
adjourned in the spring OF 1892. within
few months OF the election Of Grover
Cleveland to the presidency, there was
not nearly the enthusiasm and the pre-
sentiment OF victory among them that
there was at the close OF the recent ses-
sion. The Republicans are painfully
aware that tho average Democrat feels
that there Is a good fighting chance to
elect Democrat President OF the United
states this fall, and that they arc to all
practical purposes united upon the man
to receive the honor. For there Is no ques-
ton in the minds Of the members Of the
minority of the House of Representatives
that Judge Parker will be the nominee.
LEADER WILLIAMS MAKES HIS
MARK.
The Democrats OF the House made
mighty few mistakes during the entire
session. John Sharp Williams has made
a reputation In the role OF leader OF tile
minority that has not been achieved by
any man since the days OF Carlisle. ] {
is doubtful II the Democrats have been
as ably led in the House since Samuel
j. Randall marshalled the minority and
achieved more with II than a less skill
full leader could, have achieved at the
head Of the majority Mr.. Williams has
surpassed the expectations of every one
OF his colleagues. Those who know him
best know that he could discharge the
dutiness Of leader of the Democrats Of the
House in manner to satisfy all Of them.
but they doubt IL he would undertake.
the arduous duties OF the position with
n determination TO give the close and
unnnggng attention to details which
would be absolutely necessary. There
is no doubt now. Not even Hay, OF Viz
gnia. who was noted as being The first
10 reach the House every day, and the
last to go away, was more nearly con-
ssantly on the floor, and there was not
n man In the House on either side more
thoroughly familiar with the progress
and status Of legislation. He made mis-
takes. He sometimes failed to appreciate
f1,i tn nj boa eli lc0N
of the other Side. and was not always
ready at first to adopt wise suggestions
of democratic colleagues. But such slips
werc rare, and are almost hidden by the
brilliancy of hundred moves which
surprised and confounded the opposition.
There are few democrats In the House
whu believe the party could have found
n leader so we'll qualified as John Sharp
Williams.
Much Of the compactness. and the en-
thusiasm of the party at the close OF the
session was due to the leader, but not
all There are many privntcs on the
Democratic side of the House to whom
should be given measure of the credit
due for the fine fettle in which the party
is found at the close of the session, a
veteran member said last night that he
did not believe the average ability on
the Democratic side had been higher
since the war than In this Congress.
There were fifty Democrats who could
make speeches that would crowd the
galares. compel tho attention OF the
Republican leaders. There was scarcely
a day that passed since Congress con-
vened in extraordinary session on the
ninth of last November that some mem
Der of the minority did not make u
speech, long or short, w.t,-. set the other
side thinking, and which Will be worthy
of use IN the campaign this fall,
COCHRAN A SHINING LIGHT
But 1t Is probable that every Democrat.
and possibly every Republican as well.
Will admit that inc speeches of Hon.
William Bourke Cochran in the last days
Of the session just ended contributed
more than anything else to the cnthus-
iasm and the confidence of his party.
Never In tho history OF the country have
congressional speeches had such u trc-
mendous party effect, They have thrill
ed the party on the floor Of the House,
and their effect Is apparent throughout
the country. Cochran has more than as
rsumed his old place as the tor Of his
Of his party. He has become one of the
prophets as we'll speaking doctrine to
which all his associates do not subscribe,
and which will moi he enuncated IN tho
national platform in all probap pility, but
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