New-York tribune., 1908-04-11
Tie H0TSE EILIBL STIR.

Tho General verdict on the Hon. John Sharp
WilIiams's personally conducted tilibuSter in the
House of Representatives will undoubtedly be
that although Mr. Williams may occasionally
shine rs a serious statesman he is no success is
4 political comedian. IT will he remembered
that the Mississippi leader essayed comedy
role four wears AGO when deputed 10 carry To the
Hon. Henry C.. Davis the news of the latters
nomination as the Democratic party candidate
for the Yice-Presidency. Mr.. Williams maze Il
speech at the White Sulphur Springs in West
Virginia which greatly mystlhed the nominee
and was never thoroughly understood by TIE
Democratic voters or managers. 1t may he that
the Democratic party lacked a sufficient sense
of humor to appreciate Tie elusive and fantaS-
tic persihage Of the Mississippi orator y party
which in national convention had Just nolnl-
mated the Parker and Davis ticket could not
have possessed a very keen sense OF COMEDY
At all events the humor of the White sulphur
Springs address failed to take, and Mr.. Williams
was not asked TO pursue his vein OF burleSaue
further for the delectatiOn Of the nation.
We think that the farce which he is now man
aging in the House of Representatives will fail
equally fiat with the public. 1t has no point
and the longer it continues the less diverttng it
becomes \ good comedy must have genuine
idea behind it. But the idea behind the VIII
ian1s performance is impractical and futile. Re-
duced 10 plain terms, the flibuster is an attempt
on the part of the minority 10 jump out oI It's
own skin-to dvest itself OF its own functions
and TO assume the functions of the majority
The opposition in the House of Representatives
has a useful and important mission. 1t should
act as a check on the majority, criticisng legis-
lation proposed and endeavoring TO make its in
fiuence felt in modifying and improving suc4
legislation 1t should even lend hand in Shap-
ing and passing legislation plainly desired by
the country and Mr.. Williams has made an
honorable record in frequently throwing the
minority's support to measures which the voters
of both parties demanded. The minority can 10
good service as a critic and an auxiliary. But
it is preposterous for it Ia assert the right TO
manage the business of the House or To say
what measures shall and what shall not be voted
upon.
The illogicality Of such an attitude is appar
ent Mr. Williams would himself be the first
to denounce the effrontery of a Republican mi
nority in attempting thus to dictate TO a Dem
ocratic House over which he presided as
Speaker In the DIST Congress Mr. Crisp, of
Georgia, led the fight against what he called the
cZarism of the Reed rules. In the sd Congress
the same Mr. Crisp as Speaker applied and even
extended the Reed rules and defended his action
on the ground that without such rules the House
could not carry its purposes into legislation.
The people decided IN l9Oo 10 lntruSt continued
control of the House of Representatives TO the
Republican party. That party must accept re-
sponsibility for whatever the House does or fails
10 do whereas the minority can excuse itself
and will be found excusing itself in this years
Presidential campaign from all responsibility
Power and responsibility must go together, and'
if the minority would escape the burdens Of the
latter it must not arrogate TO itself the prerog
atives of the former.