The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-12
Williams |. | MAY NOT
Be FLOOR LEADER ]!
Reported That Mississippi Sen
ator-Elcct Will Relinquish
: That Position.
CLARK OR DE ARMoND THEN
Representative Jones Proposes to
Relieve House Leader Of
Naming Committees.
TimeADispatch Bureau,
Munsey Building.
Wnsltington. u. c. Nov, II,


1t is reported to-day that there is
that Representative John Sharp Will
tams will not be the minority leader
OF the House OF Representatives this
winter The report is to the effect that
Mr.. Williams may consent to allow
his name to be presented to the con-
ference OF Dcmoctitlc members which
no doubt of his election. When he
shall have been elected 1t is said that
there is probability that Mr.. Williams
Will then thank his colleagues forihe
honor confcrred. and decline 1t. on :he
ground that. as h, has been nCtni-
d, ana practically elected, to the
United States Senate. he VIII puss t,le
honor OF the leadership on to some
one else.
NIpy or May Not lie True.
Mr.. Williams has not taken the pub
lie into his confidence on the subject.
and the story Is not confirmed. 1T
tain that HIS decision to retire from
the leadership would be greatly re-
GREETED by many Democrats OF the
House. who admire his ability IN de-
ditions of the party. It Is also true
not majority thereof. would be glad
10 have Mr.. Williams pursue the course
satlsfactory to all the Democrats OF
the House! 1t is believed that his ac-
ceptanc. OF the offer made him by
Speaker Cannon to allow him to name
the minority members OF the various
standing committees has done more
than anything else to ALLEVIATE the
support of number OF the minor
ity. But there is no question that In
been surpassed by any minority leader
in the House In years. although he
lacks some OF the essential qualities OF
leadership
CInrk or DeArmond.
In case OF the retirement of Mr.. will
liams as leader Of the House minority
1t Is probable that Representative De-
Almond. OF Missouri, would be his sue
Of the Democrats Of the House who
would like to see Champ Clark, OF
Missouri, In the lead. blu. Mr.. De.
ArrAond has been regarded as second
that 1T is doubtful whether Mr.. Clark
could defeat him In case OF contest
However, 1t Is not safe to speculatt
upon the early retirement OF Mr.. WIZ
viii be ]. adcr of the minority the com.
ing session and the next. Tho tern
of Senator Money. whom Mr.. Williams
Will succeed. does not expire unit
Williams Will not offer for recollection
TO the House after the expiration OF
his present term. March 3, 1909.
Representative William A. Jones. o.
Virginia. viii offer at the Democratic
conference held the last week In No
venber for the purpose of choosing {
floor leader. resolution to the cffec
that 1t shall not be construed as {
part or the duties of thu leader Il
make nominations for the standing
committees. Mr.. Jones indicated t.
several colleagues during the last SEES
sion his intention of proposing thi!
resolution. and 1t was very general,
Endorsed. The adoption OF a resolu
fion of this character would leave L
the Speaker the duty. of making Sc
lections. and would relieve the leadel
OF the responsibility OF NOMINATING
members from she minority. 1t is be