Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1905-12-03
Caucus Reluctantly Endorses
Republican Administration.
BUT DECLARES PROTECTION
is BREEDING PLACE OF GRAFT
John Sharp Williams Of Mississippi
Again Chosen to Lead the For
Iorn Hope in Congress.

Washington, Dec, 2.z-For two hours
today the democratic members OF the
house Of representatives discussed
party politics and procedure with a
view to solidifying the minority and
acting harmoniously upon all matters
of partisan character that may come
before the house This discussion fol-
lowed the nomination Of officers to be
voted for on Monday next and was
precipitated by variety of resolu-
tions on these subjects.
John harp Williams was unanimous
~ chosen as the nominee for speaker
and this action OF the caucus makes
him the minority leader for the ensi-
ing congress to succeed himself. Az
ter he had been chosen Mr.. Williams
addressed the caucus on matters of
policy and the Importance of virile
minority, He spoke for nearly one
hour, and vigorously repudlated the
idea alleged to have been put forth by
republicans, that the democratic par
" was "A do-nothing party. He re-
ferred to the long period that the
democratic party was in power and
declared very emphatically that the
record of that long trust compared
very favorably with that of any party
in charge of any government at any
time.
Mr., Williams said that the demo-
cratic party favored free trade for the
Philippine islands. 1t did not believe
that these islands should be retained
by this government, but it did believe
that they should have all the benefits
a. ha A nau ac
long as that flag floated over them.
Concerning the predominant ques-
tibn of railroad rate legislation, he de-
clared that such regulation was in ac-
cord with the general democratic prin-
cipal of special privileges to none and
equal opportunity to ALL. He congrate
ulated the country on the fact that the
president and his followers had ac-
cepted this democratic idea and de-
clared that without the aid of the
president the democratic party could
do nothing at this time in the way of
rate legislation, while on the other
hand the president and his followers
could do nothing without aid of the
democrats.
4 Few Words on Graft.
Mr., Williams then spoke with great
emphasis about the prevalence OF
graft in the government service which
he said had lifted its head in the Dip
lomatic service of Venezuela, in the
public land service, i'm the postoffice
and agricultural departments and else
where. In business circles graft had
become worse than in politics. Graft
was the result of corrupt ideas which
must necessarily have breeding place
somewhere, and Mr.. Williams declared
that the Principle of protectlonism"
was the. breeding place.
Mr.. Williams said there were lot
of temporary issues to be rlghted. and
that the abiding issue of the tariff will
remain so until 1t is settled Alright.
He added that the only way to set
tie 1t was by divorcing business from
the government, as business men seek
olitlcal corruption. r. l.. Henry OF
Texas, was elected chairman for this
congress, and Messrs. Bowers of Mis-
sissippi and Robertson of louisiana,
secretaries. After Mr.. Williams had
been chosen for the speaker and had
made his speech. the following officers
were nominated without opposition;
Clerk-Former Representative w
/ S. Cowherd. of Missouri.
at-Arms--Charles a. Ed
i wards, of Texas.
Doorkeeper--J. H. Taylor, of Ar
\ kansas
Postmaster--R Robert L. Douglas, OF
/ South Carolina.
Chaplain-Rev. Austin Crouch. OF
/ Alabama.