Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
Williams of Mississippi Nom
mated for Speaker.
OTHER H0NORS GIVEN
Real Money Jobs Cause Consider
able Contest.
TARIFF RESOLUTION DODGED
Representative Hay Of Virginia Of
fer a Resolution on Which an
Adjournment Is Made.
TARIFF RESOLUTION DODGED

House democrats who caucused at
of the clock yesterday afternoon had a
bang-up chance to so on record In fat-
footed fashion on the tariff, but at the
crucial moment followed the lead Of Rep
resentative Bourka Cochran, the silver
tonguod talkcr from Tammany, and ad-
journed with gleeful and joyous abandon.
AL the caucus did was to select Rep
resentativa John Sharp Williams Of Mis-
sissippi for another two years as minority
leader pass seve al real money jobs to
deserving democrats and pin highly dec
orative but unremunerative minority NOM
nations on the bosoms of the faithful
few But there will be another caucus
soon, at which several live issues-and,
ybe, a couple of dead ones-will be
nailedsto the mast. So says Representa-
tiv3 Jones of Virginia, who never had the
ghost Of a chance to offer a nice little
resolution he has had on ice all summer,
getting ripe and high. And couple Of
dozen of the devoted, but disgruntled, talk
the same way. But 1t takes twenty-five
names to make a caucus call effective,
and, on past perfo -mances, lots of folks
would rather spout than sign.
Representative Henry Of Texas, the
caucus chairman, called the gathering to
order. and when the smoke of the ap-
plause-racked preliminaries had cleared
away 1t was found that Representative
Henry d. Clayton of Alabama had been
chosen chairman and Representative
reta-y. Then, the caucus organization
having been completed, Representative
Thomas of North Carolina was recognized
and proceeded to nominate John Sharp.
De Almond of Missouri having declined
to make the try against the senator-elect
from Mississippi and the leaders Of the
anti-Williams faction chloroformng for
the time their p-ejudices.
Mr.. Thomas' Eulogy.
"Re-elect him minority leader. fellow
democrats" said Mr.. Thomas, in naming
John Sharp. land from whatever part of
the Union You come, whatever your per-
sonal views as to democratic policies, you
will find him fair to all. aggressive yet
conservative, the best type Of southern
statesHaanahtps OF a democracy which be-
lieves,' with JEFFERSON, IN equal rights to
all and special privileges to none. 5whisil
opposes monopoly and which stands for
strict construction and for the rights Of
the people and the states.
For tour years he has led the demo-
cratic hosts upon this floor. Always at
thickest of the fight, he has been able,
adroit, skiilful, honest, courageous and
successful.
I'VE have followed him here with i'm
plicit confidence even as the Huguenots
followed the white plume Of Henry of
Navarro. He Is the ablest debaterH today
in either branch of Congress; the most
tactful, skillful. resourceful leader de-
mocracy has ever had, and I hope to see
him lead the minority until he takes his
place as senator from Mississippi"
Mr.. Thomas said a lot more of the same
brand, and when he got through the Will
liams supporters cheered and applauded
and raised a great racket. The members
of the anti-Williams faction sat around
and tried to look as II they were having
a good time.
John Sharp Williams Speech.
John Sharp was absent from the cham
Der when his election occurred, but was
soon thereafter escorted to the floor by
a committee appointed for the purpose.
This is an old custom, and some of the
old Jeffersonians wouldn't feel right If it
wasn't carried out to the letter.
The minority leader made. a little talk.
thanking his friends for the honor paid
him and skipping all unpleasant refer
that the republican party was very much
divided just now, and urged his heuten-
ants and privates to stand together to re-
slst further executive usurpation and on
all other essential lines of action.
I'VE should" he said work together
as foot ball team, and by so doing we
may win important victories in the not
far distant future
One facetious democrat. commenting on
TINS remark Of John Sharp's, said tfat
ne hoped for the best, but that the demo-
cratic membership Of the House had tried
foot ball tactics before.
And we'd get along all right" he said,
IF We could remember the signals and
could work the forward pass and the on
side kick and other republican tricks"
And then. the caucus got down to busi-
ness and distributed the complimentary
honors at its disposal nominating Charles
A. Edwards of Texas as clerk of the
House: j. T. Ellington of North Caro-
lima. sergeant-at-arms: H. E. Graper of
Tennessee, doorkeeper; r. l.. Douglas OF
South Carolina. postmaster, and Rev. T.
ID. Bagby of the District of Columbia,
chaplain.
There was no scrapping over the distri-
button of these medals, but when 1t came
to the real money. jobs everybody sat up
and took notice, and on the selection of
the successor Of the late Ike Hill of Ohio.
deputy sergeant nt-at-arms, a couple of roll
calls were necessary. This place went to
successful over four competitors. Paul
ID. Porter was nominated for pair clerk
and F. B. Knight Of Georgia and ]. ].
Sinnott Of Virginia for messengers
Ar. Hays Resolution.
This business disposed of. Representa-
tive James Hay of Virginia inaugurated
tariff troubles by introducing q resolution
which in effect. II adopted. would nave
pledged the democrats to a persistent fli-
buster from the very opening day of Con-
gress. Mr.. Hays resolution provided
that the democrats should not grant
any unanimous consent at al until the
ways and means committee should bring
In tariff bill reading as follows:
Resolved. That until the committee on
ways and means shall report to the
House for immediate action q bill for the
revision of the tariff schedules It shall be
the policy of the democratic minority in
the House OF Representatives to refuse
unanimous consent for the transaction of
any and all business.
Resolved further. That the leader of
the minority be authorized to designate
each day a member Of the minority to en-
force the aforesaid policy by refusing re-
quests for unanimous consent"
Mr.. Hay spoke at some length in sup
port Of his resolution for Systematic
filibuster. and when he concluded Repre-
sentative Henry OF Texas offered a sub
situte providing for .he appointment of a
committee Of 1--WE, consisting of the minor
ity leader and four others. to be appointed
by the chairman. to report TO a demo-
cratic caucus, to be held next Tuesday, an
outline Of the democratic policy as to
legislation during the coming session.