The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-12-03
Speech of Acceptance as
Minority Leader
CANDIDATES
n Resolution Introduced Declaring II
the Sense OF the Caucus That "A
Bill for the Revision OF the
Tariff Should Re Early Intro
duced In Congress

CBy the Associated press +,

Washington. ID c.. Nov. o-P
agreeing 70 place m nomination for
speaker Honorable John sharp vii
liams. OF Mississippi. the Democratic
members Of the House today in effect
determine TO continue him in the po-
sItIon o minority leader EOr the *
ueth Congress. The nomination Of
Hr. Williams was agreed on in 4
caucuc Il the Democratic members
held in tho Hall Of the House ~ Rep
resentatIves beginning at > O'Clock to-
daN Representative Henry d Clay
ton. Of Alabama. presided, and Repre-
sentative RYAN, OF Buffalo N. "
District. Mas chosen secretary.
Immediately after the organization
Of the caucus had been completed.
Represeptative Thomas. OF North Car
DINA, VAS recognized and he proceed
ed II once to place Mr.. Williams in
nomination There Was no opposition.
and Mr. Williams was selected by ac-
clamation.
Mr.. Williams was absent from the
chamber when his election took place.
nut he vas soon afterWard escorted to
the floor by a committee appointed
tor tina purpose, and after cessation
OF the applause he spoke at some
length, thanking his fellow members
nor the confidence reposed in him and
promising TO serve them to the best Of
his ability. lie especially urged them
49," a tit NADlfot = VI
party principles, saving ii was the
most important at this time that the
Democrats should have team work
Mr.. Williams made no mention Of the
conditions. He emphasized
the advice that the Democrats should
resist every tendency on the part Of
the administration toward executive
usurpatiCn, and declaring that the Re
publican party is more divided. now
than it has ever been before. He adj
Vised the Democrats to stand together
on all essential lines OF action.
w should" be said work to-
gether as a boot pail team. and by so
doing we may win important victories
in. the not distant future"
Candidates for Other Offices.
Candidate fer the other offices were
designated as follows:
Clerk of the House. Charles a. Ed
wards. Texas: Sergeant at Arms, J. T.
Ellington, North Carolina; Door
Keeper, H. E. Graper. Tennessee;
Postmaster. r. L. Douglas. South
Carolina: Chaplain, Rev. z. D. Bag
ley, District of Columbia. These
nominations are merely complimen-
tary, as it is recognized that the Re-
pubiicans will organize the house.
There are, however. some minor
offices which the Democrats are per-
mitted 20 fill, and over n OF them.
thai of deputy sergeant at arms. to
I'LL the place formerly held by Ike
Hill. of Ohio, the principal contest
of the caucus occurred.
There were four candidates for this
office, including Robert f. Covert. Of
Texas, and Frank Flint. of Georgia.
Two ballots We're required t. settle the
dispute. but in the end Mr.. Covert
won by a handsome majority. Nom
nations were made for other special
o ceS as follows: Paul u. Porter.
TO1ir CHarE. T. p I[ni-rht and
Sinnott, Messengers.
Tariff Bill to Be Introduced.
The Offices disposed Of, Mr.. Ray. of
Virginia, introduced q resolution de-
claring it to be the sense of the caucus
that a bill for the revision Of the tariff
should be Immediately introduced, and
providing that unless it is promptly
reported by the committee on Ways
and Means, the Democrats should OBJ
ject TO all unanimous consent agree
nents for the passing Of bills.
Mr.. Hay spoke at some length in
support of this resolution.
Mr.. Henry, of Texas. offered a sub
stitute providing for the appointment
of a committee to report to a Demo-
cratic caucuS to be held next Tues
day, suggesting an outline of the Dem
ocratic policy as to the legislation
during the approaching session.
The amendment was ruled out of
order by Chairman Clayton, and be-
fore any action could be taken on the
Hay resolution, the caucus adjourned
without date.