The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-03

Delivers STIRLING Address in Placing
Williams Name Before Caucus.
Was Superior in Many Respects TO
ANY Man Ever Chosen to be Leader
of the Democracy.
Washington, November 30.-By
agreeing to place in nomination for
speaker, Hon. John Sharp Williams, of
Mississippi, the democratic members
of the house, today in effect uetermin
ed to continue him in the position of
minority leader for the Goth congress.
The nomination of Mr.. Williams was
agreed on in a caucus Of the demo-
cratic members held in the hall of
the house of representatives, begin
ming at o'clock today. Representa-
tive Henry D. Clayton, of Alabama,
presided and Representative Ryan. of
Buffalo, N Y, district was chosen
secretary.
Immediately after the organization
of the caucus had been completed
Representative Thomas of North Caro-
lima, was recognized and he proceed
ed at once to place Mr.. Williams in
nomination. There was no opposition
and Mr.. Williams was elected by ac-
clamation. In presenting MI Will
Jams name Mr.. Thomas said in part:
"Re-elect him minority leader, fei-
low democrats, and from whatever
part of the union of states you come
what ever your personal views as to
democratic policies, you will find him
fair to all, aggressive, yet conserva-
tive. the best type Of southern states
manship of democracy which believ-
es with Jefferson in equal rights to
all and special privileges to none,
which opposes monopoly, which stands
| for strict construction. and stands al
| ways for the rights of the people and
| the states
For four years he has led the rem
ocratic hosts upon this floor. Always
at his post of duty and in the fore
front and thickest of the fight, he
| has been able, adroit, skilful, honest,
| courageous and successful. His tact
and energy, power of organization and
| ability as & debator, have been un-
| surpassed by any leader of the minor
| ity without exception, in my opinion
| "He served in the ranks under both
his predecessors, Mr.. Bailey and Mr..
Richardson; and with the highest res
pect for the intellectual ability and
| parliamentary skill Of both, those of
US who know John Sharp Williams
best and love him most regard him
| as the peer of either and the superior
in many respects of any man who has
ever been chosen the Leader of the
democracy
eve have followed him here with
implicit confidence even as the Hug
| uenots followed the white plume OF
Henry of Navarro. He is the ablest
debator today in either branch OF
congress; the most tactful, skillful, re.
sourcefu1 leader democracy has ever
had, and I hope to see him continue
to lead the minority until he takes
his place as senator from Mississippi
The son of father, a martyr to the
Lost Cause who died at the head Of
| Tennessee, at Shiloh, the whole soutl
claims him, for he was baptised il
= sacred blood of one of her heroes
By study and training and inheri
tance a disciple of Thomas Jefferson
saturated with Jeffersonian democracy
the whole democratic party claim:
him.
From the time he entered the 53rC
| congress to this good hour he ha:
never made a fight where victory wa
possible in Mississippi or here wher
he did not win. He has held hi
leadership as a great trust for reno
cracy: perfected the organization o
his party upon the committees, an
united as far as possible in the powe
of mortal man, the democratic mino
rity."
Mt Thomas speech was receive
by the caucus by signs of lively ar
probation and their approval OF IT
: subject was expressed in loud applaus
MI Williams was absent from tn
; | chamber when his election took plac
| bu the was soon afterward escorte
. | to the floor by committee appointe
? for that purpose. and after the cess
, ton of the applause he spoke at som
length thanking his fellow member
| for the confidence reposed In him an
lpromising to serve them to the be,