The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-12-05

Washington. December 2.-For two
hours today the Democratic members
Of the House OF Representatives dis
cussed party policies and procedure
with view to solidifving the minori-
" and acting harmoniously upon all
matters of partisan character that
may come before the House John
Sharp Williams was unanimously
chosen as the nominee for speaker and
this action Of the caucus makes him
the minority leader for the ensuing
congress to succeed himself. Follow
ing his nomination Mr. Williams made
an extended speech outlining princi-
ples upon which the party should
stand. and especially insisted that the
party should oppose subsidies OF all
kinds and support antitrust legisia-
ton. Speaking OF railway rate regu-
lation he insisted that the party would
be endorsing its national platforms IL
every effort were used to further legts-
tation looking to governmental con-
troll of such rates. AS to the charge
that the Democrats were following a
Republican President. he declared that
the Democrats were supporting their
own principles and it mattered not IL
these principles We're endorsed by a
Republican President
The chief discussion was precipitat-
ed upon a resolution introduced by
Representative Lloyd of Missouri.
which was finally adopted. II REQUIRES
members of the minority OF various
committees to submit minority reports
on bills where Democratic principles
are violated in the opinion OF such mi
nority members. Some opposition de-
veloDed to this resolution as it was
considered by several members OF the
caucus to be a reflection upon minor
ity members of committees during
previous sessions OF congress. Mr..
Williams in his speech accepting the
nomination for speaker had expressed
views in line with the resolution. Both
he and Mr. LLOYD disclaimed any in
tention of rejecting upon members OF
the party but insisted that the resolu-
ton would tend to solidifv party action
In the House. Opposition to the reso-
luton was somewhat pronounced and
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of New York. after
declaring that 1t was instruction to
Democrats to do their duty. which he
claimed was unnecessary. moved to Law
the resolution on the table. This mo-
ton failed to carry and the resolution
finally was adopted. Among others
who took part in the discussion were
Messrs Cockran. OF New York: Smith.
of Kentucky. Sulzer. OF New York. and
Bartlett. of Georgia,
The caucus was called together at
2 o'clock by Mr.. HAY. of Virginia. who
was chairman of the caucus during
the last congress. 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 Speaker and made his
speech the following officers were
nominated without opposition:
Clerk-Former Representative Will
liam s. Cowherd. OF Missouri
t-at-Arms-Charles A. Ed
wards. OF Texas.
Doorkeeper-J. r. Taylor. of Ar
kansas.
Postmaster-Robert l.. Douglas. ef
| South Carolina.
| Chaplain-Rev Austin Crouch Of
| Alabama.
All of the special employees who
| served in the last congress for the
| Democrats as follows;
Isaac r. Hill. Ohio: joseph ]. SIN
mott. Virginia: FELTON, b. Knight. Geo
| gia: James F. English. California.
| resolution introduced by Mr.. Bart
| lett was adopted providing that the
| minority shall oppose the adoption by
| the House OF Representatives OF any
| set of rules tn continue in force more
| than thirty DAYS. Five amendments
| proposed to the rules OF the House
| were referred to a committee consist
| ing of Nessrs. Williams of Mississippi.
| Dearmond. Missouri NcNary. Massa-
| chusetts. Howard. Georgia. and Smith
| Kentucky One of these amendments
| provides that special rule for the
| consideration of any bill shall be Dass-
| ed only by two-thirds vote. In an
/ other provision is made that all ap-
| proDriation bills shall be given one
| reading and then referred 10 the ap-
i propriations committee which shall
/ make one appropriation bill A third
| amendment stipulates that no speeches
| shall be included In the congressional
record which have not actually been
/ delivered on the floor Of the House.