The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-03-19
ALEADER WHO LEADS.

A LEADER WHO LEADS,
In pleasing contrast to the action of
the Democrats in the United States
Senate is that of the Democrats of the
House of Representatives Before the
converting of the present Congress-.
much was expected from the Demo-
Gratis in the Senate and little was
looked for from that side in the lower
house. The reserve has proven to be
true. From the time of Charles f.
Crisp the Democrats in the lower
house have up to the beginning of the
present session been little more than
a mob. When Senator Bailey was in
the lower house and leader of the
minority, everybody did about as he
pleased. Bailey is Il very able man
and strong debater. but he lacked the
tact of a leader. When Richardson, of
tennessee, was minority leader moth
ing could be accomplished except to
engage the Republican majority in oc-
casonal parliamentary slirmishes.
But now all this is changed In John
Sharpe Williams. of Mississippi, the
Democrats have Il real leader i'm fine
lower house. He is the most surpris
ing development of the session. He
was known before his selection as
minority floor leader simply as Il
81 f,11- DIT L.,
himself to be more than an ora tor
lie Knows what he wants and has
been able to get the Democrats to fol-
low his lead. When the time came for
selecting Il Democratic candidate for
speaker of the house. which is tanta-
mount to selecting Il floor leader. little
interest was taken in the contest.
There were three candidates, Williams,
DC Almond and Clark, and Williams
was selected simply because he was
recognized as the best speaker OH the
emOcratic side. The selection was a
most fortunate one for the Democratic
party. The Democrats are better dis
ciplined to-day than the Republicans.
The first question which Williams
had to meet was Cuban reciprocity,
The Democrats had been divided on
this question in the previous Congress.
At that time many Democrats, in fact.
the great majority of the Democrats
joined with the insurgent Republicans
in order to defeat the leaders of the
house. The stand of the Democrats
was inconsistent. Williams proposed
to be consistent. He knew the coun-
try was in favor of reform in the
tariff. He knew the Republican lead
ers were insincere in their promises
about revision and reciprocity. He
determined that the Democrats must
support the bill. He worked quietly
but hard to get the Democrats to-
gether. There was considerable muir
muring. a good deal of kicking. but
Williams succeeded in presenting n
united Democratic support of the bill.
This was something new in the house
Mt that time, but it is new no more.
Every day a united opposition con-
fronts the Republicans. The true at
titude of the Republican leaders in
reference to tariff revision has been
revealed. Williams has forced their
hands. BY championing reciprocity
resolutions, also resolutions calling up.
on the president to get the high joint
commission together. he has shown
that the Republicans are not in favor
Of the policies advocated by Blaine
and Mckinley. Every day he is get.
ting matter into the record which will
surely help his party in the next cleo.
ton. While Williams ia a SOutherner
he seems to be particularly free from
the preiudices of that section. He has
opposed the raising Of the race issue
and has shown himself to be man OF
broad guage, well informed and partic
ularly well equipped to show up the
! weakness of Republican policies. II
has been long time since the Demo
Gratis in the lower house We're as well
led as they are now. John Sharpe
| Williams is leader who leads.