The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-21
JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS ANGRY
NAY RESIGN IS DENOCRiTIC
LEADER or THE house.
SiNty-eight Democrats Vote Against Him
On an Amendment to the Army Bill,
and lie Then Circulates Petition FOR
Democratic Caucus on Monday Night,

WASHINGTON. Jan. 20 Democratic Con-
gressmen are agitated tonight over the
belief that John Sharp Williams of Mis-.
sissippi will resign as floor leader OF
his party in the House Mr. Williams Is
very angry over the refusal of his party
associates TO follow him to-day in opposing
an amendment to the army appropriation
bin intended to prohibit the assignment
Of senior retired officers of the army TO
positions with State troops.
The amendment was aimed at Lieut.
Gen Nelson A Miles who has just been
appointed Adjutant- General of Massa-
chusctts. by consent Of President Roose-
welt and Secretary Taft with full active
pay and allowances OF his rank in the Regular
army Mr.. Williams made a stirring speech
in praise of Gen. Miles and called on his
Democratic colleagues TO follow him Sixty
eight Of them, however. voted with the
Republicans. aud only 81 supported Mr..
Williams. while a number Of others de-
clined 70 vote
Mr. Wiliams's dissatisfaction was evident.
He sharply summoned page, and sent to
the Spea ker's desk for the detailed vote on
the amendment. which he scanned eagerly.
Then he wrote a petition 10 Representative
Hay, chairman of the Democratic caucus.
asking him to summon the caucus for Mon
day night, and placed II in circulation on
the Democratic side After that he left
the House and went home.
About forty Democratic members signed
the petition before suspicion was aroused
that Mr. Williams wanted tho caucus called
for the purpose of going before it and re-
signing his leadership. Some chance
remarks of his before he left the House,
to the effect that he didn't want the leader
ship any longer. caused great deal OF
gossip among the Democratic members
on the floor, and pretty soon the idea be-
ca me general that Mr. Williams intended
to give up the place TO which he had been
elected by his party associates. This
caused many Democrats TO erase their
signatures from the petition and doubt
was expressed tonight as 10 whether a
sufficient number Of Democratic Repre-
sentatiycs would be secured TO Justify the
calling Of a caucus
Il did not state the reason for calling the
caucus because did not want il talked Of
and reported in the newspapers, said Mr..
Williams when he was asked about his
action. Nobody knows the reason. and
nobody will know until Monday night
Further than that Mr. Williams declined
70 say anything. Democratic members
Of the House sly they know OF no legislative
question that requires caucus considera-
ton and are convinced that Mr.. Williams
will resign leadership on Monday night II 4
caucus Is held then.
Senator Bailey Of Texas, who was the
Democratic leader IN the House resigned
that office because he failed to receive
the support Of his party associates. Rep
re.entative Richardson Of Tennessee. who
succeeded MIR Bailey and who was sue
coeded hy Mr. Williams. had no easy time
during his leadership. and on moro than
one occasion va, ON the point OF retiring
10 tn, ranks he was ultimately retired
because hi, colleagues lost confidence ia
his ability to leed.
Some Democratic Representatives said
tonight that they believed MIR Williams
asked that the caucus ba called. not 20
enable him 10 resign the minority leader
ship. but at the request OF William Bryan,
IN order that the Democrats of the House
might adopt a policy intended 10 take the
wind out Of the sails Of M" Republicans in
attempting to pass railway rate and tariff
legislation Mr. Bryan said to-day that
the railway rate proposition originated
with the Democratic party, and the Repub-
leans were now trying to steal Democratic
thunder He had a conference with Mr..