Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-17
Is Bryan After Williamsa

Is there trouble between Mr.. Bryan and
John Sharp williams? They differ radically
on the subject of government ownership
and operation of railroads. but Mr.. Will
liams has not declared against Mr.. Bryan
on that account. On the contrary. he seems
still to regard Mr.. Bryan as the logical
democratic candidate for 1908. But when
we consider that Mr.. Williams Is, and has
been for several years. the minority leader
In the House. the following from Mr..
Bryan on the subject of the organization
and procedure in that body Is a bit sug-
gestive:
1.-THE Speaker has too much power. Mem
bers are under obligation to the Speaker
first. to the party second and to their con-
stituents third. While the democratic
party cannot make the committees Of the
House until 1t secures a majority. 1t can and
should begin Its fight now. The present
custom enables the minority leader to CO.
cree by arbitrary authority. whereas he
should lead by argument and by superior
wisdom. The democratic minority should
assert the right of caucus to select the
minority members. 1t VIII add strength to
the party in the next campaign If demo-
cratic candidates will present the advan-
tages of the caucus plan over the one man
rule
Has Mr.. Williams been "coercing by ar
bitrary authority" when he should have
led by argument and by superior wis
dom? Or has Mr.. Bryan In view the or
ganization of the next House, when he
desires the minority so disposed in the
committee assignments as to enable him
to do business with the members outside
of the Williams influence? The next
House will help shape the issues for the
presidential race, and Mr.. Bryan, who ex-
poets to lead his party. may desire the
minority to play the role of critic for his
benefit.
But. whatever his object. Mr.. Bryan
makes an impracticable suggestion. In the
Senate. which is a small and continuing
body. committee vacancies, whether &C.
casioned by death or defeat at the polls.
are never numerous and therefore are
easily filled by caucus action. And an as
signment once made stands while it con-
tinues satisfactory.
But the life of House is two years. and
every House. like every tub, must stand
on Its own bottom. There are nearly four
hundred members, and over sixty commit
tees, and many members necessarily receive
several assignments. How would 1t be
possible therefore for a caucus to manage
such piece of business? There would be
no end of rivalry and contention. and no
House could be organized by such means
In a months time
As matters now stand both the majority
and the minority have abundant sayso
Both the Speaker and the minority leader
are chosen by caucus action, and each
consults with the members of his party
freely about committee assignments. the
minority leader reporting to the Speaker
about the minority side. and his recon-
mendations being adopted. 1t Is seldom the
case there Is wrangle, and more seldom
still that an injustice is DONE
Mr.. Bryan would do well to leave this
matter to Mr.. Williams. whose experience
as legislator is greater than his own.
and who should he ever reach the speaker
ship would not enjoy being a mere bump
on legislative log.