The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-01-17
BY CHARLES W. ARTHUR.

NASuu4HIOut jan Ill 9DEclhl. I'll
seems to me-" said a prominent DEM
ocratic member Of the house. that our
party might learn a great deal from
the Republicans. They have their par.
ty quarrels, as we do, but the results
are seldom or never disastrous. Whom
ever we are most in need Of absolute
harmony something crops out which
causes division in the ranks OF the
minority, and all our prospects go to
smash" This remark was apropos OF
the opposition In the ranks Of the house
Democrats to John Sharp Williams Of
Mississippi as floor leader. A day or
two ago 1t was announced that the
ant-Williams forces had enough votes
to defeat Mr.. Williams for the leader
ship in the next congress and to elect
Representative Champ Clark OF Mis-
souri, In his stead. Within twenty
four hours thereafter Mr.. Clark issued
statement to the effect that he was
In no sense Of the word a candidate.
This, however. has not dampened the
ardor Of Mr.. Williams opponents, who
say they win surely defeat him in the
sixtieth congress.
Mlssissippian Good Leader.
It is admitted that the Mlsslssip-
plan has made good leader in many
ways, but 1t is plain that he is not al
together popular. He has made enc
niles among the members of his own
party because he has not been suffl-
clently concllIatory, and the opposi-
ton to him undoubtedly originated
among very few men who have per-
sonal grievances against him. Others
have Joined In the campaign, however,
and now it Is claimed that a majority
Of the minority is in favor of some
one else for the position of leader.
His friends laugh at all talk of this
sort, however, and say that his re-
election by the Democratic caucus
when the next congress meets Is GER
tain. Mr.. Williams is candidate for
senator In Mississippi, but, even II lie
is successful, he will not take his seat
until 1911. he certainly will serve in
the Sixtleth congress, to which he al
ready has been elected, and probably
In the Sixty-first. His supporters say
that he deserves TO be reelected leader
in the next congress and speaker in
the one following that in the event
that the Democrats secure control Of
the house in the elections of 1908.
Burlsson Has Plan.
Apropos OF the anti-Wllliams cru.
SADIE, Representative Burleson OF Tex.
as, a prominent member of the minor
lty. suggests that the position Of leader
be abolished and that the caucus select
an advisory committee Of five members
which shall be intrusted with the task
OF handling the minority on the floor.
Mr.. Burleson is supporter of Mr..
Williams, however. and thinks he
should be retained in the position he
now occupies. SO that the proposed
change is without any reference to the
Mississippian. The Texas congressman
thinks his plan would obvlate party
discord, since 1t would divide response
bllity, and that it would bring about
many reforms not possible under the
present system 1t would be good
idea, he suggests, to have more fire.
quent meetings of the Democratic eau
Gus, so that the whole minority instead
Of one man or few men would be
called on to decide as to the various
policies to be pursued
Would Change House Rules.
Mr.. Burleson Is also anxious TO have
radical changes made in the house
rules. Under the present system he
says that the house has lost its repre-
sentative character and that it is ahso-
lutely dominated by one MANTLE
speaker. His plan is to have the com
mittee on rules elected instead of ap-
pointed by the speaker. as at present,
and to have MI other committees named
oy the ruiea committee instead OF by
the speaker. us is the custom now. At
present no measure can he brought up
unless the sanction OF the rales com
mittee IS secured. and as the speaker
controls the rules committee it can
readily be seen that his power is vast
Mr.. Burleson would change the rules
so as to provide that the committee
would be compelled to report a rule
for the consideration of any bill which
as many as 20 or 20 per cent Of the
house members might ask to be taken
up. A minority of the Republican ma
Iority are said to favor the change
which Mr.. Burleson says is bound to
be brought about.
Pages Collect Autographs.
The pages in both houses of congress
spend most of their spare time these
days collecting autographs. Practical
ly every one OF them has an auto
graph album, and after every SEES
sion members are asked to write their
names. It is rather a tiresome opera-
ton. as the number of pages is large,
but most of the members comply
chesrfully. Some OF the boys already
haze the autographs Of all the mem
bers Of both houses. One member who
10 particularly considerate Is Repre-
sentative Beman G. Dawes Of Ohio,
who when a lad used to accompany
l.