The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-12

shape of editorials not only from Dem.
 ocratic but Republican and Independ,
 ent papers all over the country.
 Last winter when it was noised | around that a formidable opposition tu Williams would develop before the as- | sembling of the Sixtieth Congress. oi their own volition far more thon a | suhicient number of the House Demo- crats took especial pains to inform
 their leader that they were for him regardless of the result of the pri-
 mary in Mississippi which has result ed In his selection as the next Sena-
 tor from the State. They were cor dial, too, In their support, and this piece of news was at the time sent to The Advertiser. The Alabama del- egations was then solid for him, end no breaks in that delegation have been heard of since Represents tive La- mar, of the Pensacola district of Flor ida. who was here the other day, said he was opposed to the selection of Williams for leader next winter, ard declared that if he was the only one his vote would be cast against Tim. Representative Shackelford of Missou- ri is probably in the same boat with Mir. Lamar. 1t will be recalled that these two members had a lively con- troversy in the last House with Mir. Williams because he did not recom- mend them for assignment again on the very important Committee on In- terstate and Foreign Commerce, which originally considered and prepared the railroad rate regula ton bill, and which the Senate handled later.
 If his friends insist and If he be so inclined. Mir. Williams could stand for the House again next year. and Tn the event the Democrats obtain control of that body he might be elected Speaker and serve a term as presiding officer before the Senatorial term commences Doubtless MT. Williams will make up his mind within the next few months as to whether he wants to continue in the House until 1911. His friends are of the opinion that he will oe elected minority leader again .1ext win ter. At this writing there is every in- dication that his party associates want his services as leader during the ses- sion of Congress preceding the great and what promises to be most excit- ing Presidential contest. His follow CTS insist that owing to his study and training and his splendid qualities Of head and heart no one else of the mi- nority is so well equipped to meet the bright lights of the Republican Party on the floor of the House.
 They do not appear to want change in leaders at this particular 1uncture of affairs, and throughour the summer the best information that has been ob. tainable is that the Democrats will insist upon having Williams unless he himself concludes he would rather have some other man shoulder the burden. To lead the minority in any party is no picnic. It is the hardest sort of work, especially if the leader attends strictly to business and combats the opposition on the most important fs- sues sprung in the halls of legislation. .. A Wonderful Memory.
 In addition to his forcibIe and ready delivery, John Eharp Williams is one of the best educated men who ever served in Congress. His memory is also a wonder, and his powers as a debater are at times marvellous thoroughly skilled parliamentarian he has never claimed to be. True. he has improved in this respect since he became the House leader, but just af- ter he was honored with the leadership by the Democrats. he stated to many of the newspaper correspondents that he did not pride himself greatly on his parliamentary knowledge. Judge De- Armond has attended principally tn that part of the business, and he and Mir Williams have done what might be termed. to use a colnmon expression. good team work during the past two Congresses. They have also~Ueen
  Committee and have had to buck up against a legislative game with the odds in favor of the Republicans. inas- much as Speaker Cannon. General Gros- venor and Mr. Daizell did what they pleased when 1t came to buckinR and gagginR the Democrats under the dras- tic rules originated by the late Speaker Reed. but which. however. the late Senator Crisp adopted in measure when the Democrats regained control of the House.
 Hon. Hernanda DeSoto Money, who | will be succeeded in the Senate by Rr. | Williams, has very poor eyesiRht. He | has not for several years been able to | read either print or manuscript. His | eyeslght was defective during the civil | war. and in September of 1864 he was l forced to retire from the Confederate i service on that account Colonel Money, | however, has. when his health would permit during the past four years, ta- ken an active part in the Senate pro- He has made a number of | .elling and instructive speeches. Pa oers and official documents have to De read to him by one of his clerks. He ,an see just enough to get about the ,ity without a guide. His sight is llso still strong enough in one eye for Jim to be able to enjoy the pictures in he magazines and illustrated period calls, and he buys all or the leading ,nes that are issued In this country and Iome of the London publications. Be- ore going to the Senate. Colonel Money Ievred seven full terms m the House of representatives, and during the Forty Eighth Congress was chairman in the House of the important Committee of ooat Ofipaa and Post Roads