The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-01-11
Reed. This is the way he tells the story


drawl of his, Williams, whatever
makes you such bitter partisan?
"'W ell. Mr.. Speaker, that's pretty
good coming from you, isn't itY / re-
piled:
"'Never mind me- he replied. But
why are you such bitter partisan?
"'Wen I'll tell you,' l said. You
know / never saw Republican until
was thirty-eight years old, and I can't
ret used to them somehow
HE looked at me reproachfully and
walked away without another word"
At one time Speaker Cannon wanted
the Democratic leader to place man
Dor committee.
Heavens, no!' protested Williams.
81 own lot of land, 1000 acres, be-
hind one of those Mississippi levees,
and they would all say / put that man
in there because l want something done
to my advantage by that committee"
"Pshaw, John Sharpv said Uncle
Joe. You ought to be willing to take
chance with public opinion if I do. I
own 5000 acres of land behind a Mis-
sissippi levee myself
In the early part of 1904 there was
quite a little talk Of Williams for the
presidency, talk that he did not take
seriously and out Of which he had not a
little dry fun. One day young report
er questioned him concerning the mat
ter. and John Sharp, with exceeding
gravity, said he had quite some hopes
of getting the nomination. Reports
from Mississippi were especially en-
couraging.
"TOomsuba, Ofanoma, Noxopater,
Nanachehaw. Toccopola, Tabbville and
Grubbs Springs, l am told" he said,
''are already for me, while l have ev-
cry reason to believe that l shall have
the undivided support Of such places
at Nittayuma, Wahalak, Bolatusha,
Hushpukena, Ittabena, Pelahatchie,
Mittayuma, Skutch, Cinqupin, Paw
tickfaw, Octoc, Leggo, Yellow Rabbit,
Chunkey Station, Hambone Deovo-
lente and Whynot.'
Upon being asked to spell the names
he did so with great deliberation.
On later occasion, when the news
paper men asked him concerning his
candidacy, he said that Mrs. Williams
had objected that with her sick head
aches she never could stand the White
House. so he would have to give up
the presidency.
Mr.. Williams was temporary chair
man of the national convention of 1904
The one disappointing thing about his
speech on that occasion was that his
voice was not sufficient to fill the great
hall. Lung power is not oratory, but
it is good asset in attempting to ad-
dress 10000 people.
A Satirical Eulogy.
One of the minority leaders most ia
nous speeches in the house was deliv-
cred during the Sampson Schley con-
troversy. 1t was satirical eulogy Of
Admiral Crowninshield, ''the bravest
tar that never went to sea-" In it he
recited piece Of homemade verse on
Crowninshield that sent the audience
off into spasms.
Almost as famous was his recent
Characterization of kid" congressman,
q designation that he fastened on to
new members forevermore. Mr.. Whar-
ton, a boyish looking recruit from Chi
cago, interrupted Williams and want
ed to know what he meant by ''kid"
congressman.
"Mr. Speaker" said Mr.. Williams,
with wave of his hand toward the
youthful appearing member from Chi
cago, with that degree of reverence
which the personal appearance Of my
interrogation excites in my. mind
should say that he is perhaps the last
person in the house who ought to ask
the question: whereat Mr.. Wharton
subsidized.
It must not be supposed, however,
that John Sharp Williams Is always a
wit OF, on the other hand, that he al
ways, when not sarcastic, INDUCES in
discussions of statistics and dry polit,
zeal economy. Here is something in
finer line that is we'll worth quoting:
THE Divine Master, the great demo
crat Of all the years, the cornerstone or
whose doctrine was the democratic
truth that proves it divine, the father
hood Of God and the brotherhood Of
man. expressed in the injunction, he
shall be chiefest among you who is
servant of ALL was no Mohammel con-
vc..ting men to the true faith by fire
anu sword, but a life. word, a germ,
a leaTen, q life to initiate, a word call
ing newborn men to holier purposes,
germ 70 grow throughout all times ana
TO indoctrinate all mankind with Its
disease killing properties, a leaven to
leaven the whole lump of humanity, so
that it shall finally burst it's selfish
crust, SO that it shall some day cease to
be true that mans inhumanity to man
makes countless thousands mourn
Expert OH Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Williams was born in 1854 at
Memphis, Tenn. His mother died be-
fore the war, and his father, Confed-
crate colonel, was killed in battle. The
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