The news & observer., 1905-12-03
Nominated Speaker by
the Democrats.
AHOUSE CAUCUS HELD
Williams Sounds the BattIeCry Of Op.
position to Trusts and Subsidies
and of Work for Legislation
Looking to Governmental
Control of Railroad Rates.
(By the Associated Press }

Washington, Dec. 2.-For two hours
today the Democratic members OF the
House of Representatives discussed
party policies and procedure with
view to solidifying the minority and
acting harmoniously upon all matters
of a party character that may come
before the House. John Sharp Will
liamS was unanimously chosen as the
nominee for Speaker and this action
of the caucus makes the minority
leader for the ensuing Congress to
succeed himself. Following his nomi-
nation, Mr.. Williams made an extend
ed speech outlining principles upon
which the party should stand, and es-
pecially insisted that the party should
oppose subsidies of all kinds and sup
port antitrust legislation. Speaking
of railway rate regulation he insisted
that the party would be endorsing it's
national platform if every effort were
used to further legislation looking to
governmental control of such rates.
AS to the charge that the Democrats
were following Republican Presi-
dent, he declared that the Democrats
were supporting their own principles
and it mattered not if these principles
were endorsed by Republican preSi-
dent.
The chief discussion was precipi-
tated upon a resolution introduced by
Representative Lloyd, of Missouri
which was finally adopted. 1t requires
members of the minority of various
committees to submit minority re-
ports on bills where Democratic prin-
ciples are violated in the opinion of
such minority members Some op-
position developed to this resolution,
as it was considered by several mem
bers of the caucus to be a reflection
upon minority members of commit
tees during previous sessions of Con-
gress. 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 intention Of rejecting
upon members of the party, but In
sisted that the resolution would tend
to sOlidify party action in the House.
Opposition to the resolution was some
what pronounced, and Mr.. Fitzgerald,
of New York, aftcr declaring that it
was instruction to Democrats to do
their duty, which he cl1med was un-
necessary, moved to lay the resolution
on the table. This motion failed to
carry and the resolution finally was
adopted. Among others who took
part in the discussion were Messrs.
Cochran, of New York; Smith of
Bartlett, of Georgia.
The caucus was called together at
II o'clock by Mr.. Hay, of Virginia.
who WAS chairman Of the caucus dur
ing the last Congress. II. l.. Henry, of
Texas was elected chairman for this
Congress, and Messrs.f Bowers o
Mississippi, and Robertson. Of Louis
lana, secretaries. After Mr.. Williams
had been chosen for speaker and made
his speech. the following officers We're
nominated without opposition:
Clerk-Former Representative Will
liam s. Cowherd. of Missouri.
t-Arms-Charlas A. AK
ward. of Texas.
Doorkeele eler-Robcrt l.. Douglas, of
South Carolina.
Chaplain-Rev Austin Crouch, Of
All of the special employees who
served in the last Congress for the
Democrats were re-nominated as fol-
lows:
Isaac r. Hill. Ohio: Joseph Sinnett,
Virginia; Felton E. knight. Georgia:
James F. English, California.
A resolution introduced by Mr..
Bartlett was adopted providing that
the minority shall oppose The adop-
ton by the House cf Representatives
of any set of rules to continue in
force more than 80 days. Five amcnd-
ments proposed TO the rules of the
House were carried to 2 committee
consisting Of Messrs Williams. Of
Mississippi; DeArmond. Missouri. Nc
Nary MasSachuset It's; Howard. Georg-
ia; and Smith. Kentucky One Of
these amendments provides that
special rule for the consideration OF
any bill shall be prepared only by
two-thirds vote. In another pro-
vision is made that all approprfa-
tionS committees shall make
one general appropriation bill Anoth-
or amendment bin stiDulates that on
speeches shall be concluded in the
Congressional Record which have not
actually been delivered on the floor
of the House.
u,,, -, Ntr-r nc unTrD