The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-01
BRAVO MR. WILLIAMS.

Mir. Williams of Mississippi has done the Democratic Party distinguished ser vice during the session just closed. Look ing back even so short a time as to the beginning of the Fifty-eighth Congress, the Democracy was purposeless and lea derless except in so far as being an op- position equipped with a purpose and a leadership. They longed to turn the Republicans ont, but no issue was ap- parent that could be utilized. Mr. Bryan was crying up and down the country and through it's length and breadth that the Kansas City platform and in particular it's money doctrine would have to be re- affirmed. We can hardly conceive that in his secret heart, he really believed there was any sense in attempting to re- new the free silver agitation. Neverthe- less the accredited leaders were silent ana 1t looked as if the coming presidential election was to be allowed to go by de- fault.
 MT. williams took the stage with the beginning of the extraordinary session as the leader of the minority and has been much in evidence since. He has been freauentiy on his feet, some of his friends think too often on his feet. We do not see if that way. Charles the Second never said a foolish thing and never did wise one, as the quotation goes. MT. Williams has during six months spoken os,en in inc House and elsewhere and he has had to determine many questions of marty tactics. He has during the whole time, never said or done foolish tnins' Without assistance from the Senate GOT man failed utterly there--he has gone steadily forward. showing courtesy ana consideration both to friends and oppon- ents. attacking through resolutions and amendments, all dangerous Republican legisiation and sustaining his points by admirably clear and candid arguments. He dropped the dead issues He did tnis without any parade or affectation He did if by ignoring them altogether. The consequence was that his colleagues some what to their surprise found they were no longer drifting as they had drffted under Bailey and Richardson, but were under the guidance and direction of clear head and firm will They have cheerfuliy yielded to this and the result is a compact and militant minority in the House, We think 1t will be found that when the St. Louis platform is pronul- gated 1t will contain very few declara- tions about which something strong and aIr A4y aafd hN MT. williams during the winter. He has pushed the tariff question consistently to the front until now it occupies the fore most place in the public mind and Is recog- nized on all hands as sure to be the dom ir.ant issue of the campaign that is ap- preaching. He has snown that the short ess way to get at the trusts is to attack them through the medium of the taxing system behind which they have devei- pred and fiourished at the expense of the people.
 He has daily goaded the opposition with supine indifference to the enforcement of the antitrust laws, after theatrical pretension in one case. that all trusts were to be broken up. Affirming a policy he has as pefsistently4 urged the 3adop- tion of reciprocity with other great com mercial nations and especially with Cam ada. Nor has he neglected Roosevelt, ''the grotesque," as the New Hampshire Democrats dominate him. MT. Williams has held him up o4i every occasion as an example to be condemned and avoided for exceeding a decent and fair interpretation of the Constitution and laws, and the seeming traditions of the great place that he accidentally occupies. The Democratic leader. speaking as Southern man, has put forth temperately but forcefully the Southern view of the race question.
 Lastly he has almost daily demanded an investigation of the departments where corruption is deeply suspected, and in some cases known to exist.
 No Democrat will fail to recognize in the questions Mir. Williams has been pressing upon the attention of the peo- pie an ample sufficlency of tissues" We do not, of course, think he is alone re- spcnsible for the immensely battered con- dition of the party, but in counting over those who have rendered service. Will Hams of Mississippi takes rank with the