Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-02-25
MINORITY LIE sDERsHrP ~ CONGRESS-.

MINORITY LIE aDBRsHIP. ~ CONGRESS-.
The determined campaign being
waged TO unhorse John Sharp Will
liams Of Mississippi from his position
as democratic leader in the house of
representatives Is manifestly prompted
by desire to draw distinct line be-
tween the radical and conservative
members of the party and clearly de-
signed for the purpose Of having an
influence in the national campaign Of
next year. In a speech the other day
Congressman Lamar Of Florida, him
self a radical, declared that '.the line
OF demarcation in the house is too plain
not to be perceived There are con-
sentative republicans and there are con-
sentative democrats; there are progress
sive reform or radical republicans and
there are progressive reform or rad
zeal democrats. Mr.. Williams belongs
to the conservative class of democrats.
1t is generally conceded that he has
made a good leader of the house mi
nority. His predecessor, Mr.. Richard
son of Tennessee, had allowed much to
go by default, but Mr.. Williams has
been active and persistent In a but par
TALLY successful effort to whip the
minority into compact fighting or
ganization. He has done well. con-
sidering the material at hand, but the
democrats of the house are now clam
oring for more radical action and want
a more radical man for leader"
Judge DeArmond of, Missouri, who
has been placed forward as the candi-
date of the element that is seeking
the undoing of Mr.. Williams, is
Bryan man, first, last and all the time.
He is even more radical than the peer
less leader, while Mr.. Williams is
frankly opposed to Mr.. Bryan's. gov
eminent ownership policy and to many
of his more radical ideas. Mr.. De
Almond would accept. everything that
Colonel Bryan has advocated, and then
go further. He favors altering the
constitution to provide for the, initi-
alive and referendum. He would have
congress assemble Immediately after
election and would extend the presi-
Dental term to six years, making the
president ineligible to reelection He
would give congress power to insure
lives and would limit the right or in
ferior judges to declare laws uncon-
..ttk,tto,ot IL oon+ond1 4hat a. 81
eral constitution is shop worn and
favors a constitutional convention to
devise plans making It. easier TO a~r271
the constitution to meet the rapidly
developing conditions of the country. 4
The minority leader iinf congress lis
recognized as the spokesman OF the
party, between presidential campaigns,
and the fact that a man holding Mr..
Diamonds. radical views is. being
pushed forward for the leadership at
this time clearly indicates that the rul-,
ing influences In the remnant of the
democratic party in congress .-are for
q campaign of ultraLradicalism next
year. II Mr.. DeArmond' is successful
over, Mr.. Williams the democratic
nominee for the presidency next year,
be1he ever SO radical. Will have "a lieu
tenant in the minority leadership who
will not 'hesitate togo the limit in
the championship of any policy how
ever progressive" The; contest is also
interesting in showing that the demo-
Gratis are as much divided oyer their
leaders as they are over their issues