The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-03-02
Let Leader" Williams
Be Retired.

~ 4NSSAA W.
There seems to be NO question now
but that a determined effect will be
made to shelye John Sharp Williams
as the democratic minority leader in
the lower branch of congress, when
that body meets in Washington next
December.
For some time there has been
trouble and dissention in the ranks Of
the minority party in congress, and in
stead of trying to patch up these
breaches the minority leader, by his
bold and defiant conduct, has opened
old wounds and made bad matters
worse. He seems to think that his po-
sition is secure, and continues in his
domineering way, needless of the
wishes of those he represents on that
floor, and of the great BODY of the
democratic people of the nation. That
such a course must sooner or later re-
ceive its just rebuke seems never to
have entered his mind, but If present
indications count for anything the dis
tinguished statesman from Mississippi
lis very likely to fall back into the
ranks when the next congress meets.
John Sharp Williams is an exception
ally brilliant man, and ne is credited
with being the most highly educated
man in the lower branch of congress.
He received the best education that
the schools of this country could give
him, and then went abroad and
finished his courses in the mig univer-
stiles OF Germany. As floor leader,
and master in the art of debate, he
is without doubt one VI the best ever
seen on the floors of congress, if in
this comparison one considers only the
ability OF the man.
But there are other considerations
A floor leader, first of all, must be
in thorough sympathy with the causes
he represents, and these causes must
necessarily be in strict compliance or
sympathy with the platforms of his
party, or the direct and expressed
wishes of majority of the members of
his political faith in the house of
which he is the floor leader.
When a minority leader refuses to
lead in accordance with the wishes of
those he tries to lead it is patent that
his usefulness in that capacity is at an
end. And this is Just where John
Sharp Williams is to-day He is pos
ing, and is delegated as the leader of
a party or group Of congressman that
he can not, and win never be able to
successfully lead in any fight in that
body. He is not in sympathy with the
majority of his colleagues, and on the
floor of congress is a discredited
leader
With all his learning, and with all
his brilliancy, John Sharpe Williams,
is narrow, and extremely partizan in
his views. To cross him in the slight
est particular is to invoke his dis
like and his enmity.
His treatment Of Mr.. Bryan at the
St Louis convention and his conduct
throughout its deliberations was dis
gushing to common decency every
where. His subsequent conduct in
Washington has proved too much for
the people, and now they intend to
reduce him to the RANKS, If such
thing is possible.
An instance of the defiant spirit of
the man is found in his little tilt with
Congressman Lamar As member of
the house committee on interstate
commerce, the congressman from Flor
ida voted in favor of reporting the
Hearst bill on railroad rate regulation,
which was contrary to the expressed
wishes of Williams, and at the next
session of congress the minority lead
er proceeded at once to remove Mr.
Lamar, and Congressman Shackleford
of Missouri, who was also on that
committee and voted as did the Flor
Ida congressman, from the committee
and substitute other men who Mr.. VIII
liams had reason to believe would vote
according TO his own wishes in the
matter. AS a matter of fact the Hearst
bin was the proper one for the demo
Gratis to support, and toe congressman
from Florida and Missouri were emf
nently correct in supporting 1t, but Mr.
Williams was perhaps under more OBJ
legations to 'the interests" than he
was 20 democracy, and the interests"
were bent on killing the Hearst sub
stitute.
There is no question but that the
democratic contingent ofthe next con-
gress would do a good thing for
democracy. and for the country at
large, by retiring this man as floor
leader, and 1t is to be hoped that
good man can be settled on during the
summer. The country is tired of the
ranting of John Sharpe Williams, and
democracy is Disguised with him