New-York tribune., 1908-06-19
JOHN s. WILLIAMS QUITS
Resigns as Minority Leader q.
"Good of the Pmtv.a

E,1Ifaia Ala, June B-Conzreszra, ~
Williams. Of Mississippi. has resigned sha onss'
leadership Of the House Of Rspreseuta.,v,-
effect on December ! next This annouucs.'eAs
made by Congressman Henry D. CJayto, --11e .
of the Democratic caucus In a Iatt.- nan
Clayton. under Washington date of Tp,. 20 W.
Williams, without previous intinnation ~ b..-Af Af
ton to retire. writes that IN taking tbs . ''ea-
Is actuated solely by the idea that n n 1p as
the Democratic party In resigning th1s,s.-,-.o .o'
is actuated. he says, by desire TO give tba
ity ample time to consider whom thsv ,--- .--ao'-
succeed him, and also for the reason f,.. ;. %
next house Is Democratic the new sueska- as
ever he may be. ought to have the .,-.-,' "ao-
which the place OF floor leader would z,,,. L.
the short session next winter. AS IN tba Ia Ia a
cratic outlook, Mr.. Williams expresses tbs sI.'
that should the pending campaign be fouyb. .
issues made In the last session Of Cougres, -.
party would be successful at the uoIls -
Mr.. Williarns's letter to Mr.. Clayton so11o,.
Dear Henry: 1 write this letter to vo-
resignation Of the position Of parliarsnta-S, ~
leader for the minority. the resignaffon u 1oor
place upon the first Monday Of December f,i!ts !s1ts
ing this date | have been thinking abor9' 'los- !
good deal and II seems TO me that n t5s Y.
Speaker OF that House ought have at Isa.. . %
training OF the last. or short session OF thiS c
gress. not only to fit him for its parIfa-.ssso1- o1-
duties but also TO make a more intf-,s+taa Iary
quatntance with the personnel on the Democr.saSs ss
SIDE than ne perhaps otEerWlse might nave ~
the other hand. the next House shall ~ u
publican. tne preliminary training will ba frs+ =
necessary IN order TO mt him for the verv sr5Is,a
duties Of leadership during the SIst Conorssss4
/ have not consulted any Of nv friey6s sL
resignng for fear they might attenlpt to so9gt
me, and my opinion Of the absolute corrse+rssaal
the position which / taking IS so cIas- - tS.o o
did not want either TO be dissuaded or 10 sr sat
obstinate toward them. aygsar
/ need not tell you. OF course because va, =
it. how much shall personally welcome rbs 44AoF
from hard work and from the lirneIIght A. ssss @
and some personal friends know, I would hs.sso1 ~
of the conditions Of my health. have Isi5 .-se 5a
the work before this but for the apnss-s, 90 10 W
quitting while under fire" I would 1o@ 1Je L ot
make me quit IL that were all I am -rs ac.r.n %
solely by the idea that the course that am t.tl
is best for the party. -As
In sending in the resigna ton this early - g..
you can have it published. instead OF waiting r-.S
next December, have been actuated by the IN IA
that ft was fair only 10 the members OF the So
that they should have time between now and -
fully to consider whom they wanted TO surcae5 -
1 have nothing but good feeling for ali the De-.
down the weapons with which they have sr-.sss
me / do so with the recollection that tha Is.-
Congress was one almost unprecedented IN Demo
cratic annals in harmony OF action and unfrv ~
purpose ON the Democratic side.
If the next campaign could be fought siuoIv u,o-
the issues made in this last session OF Congress
No matter what the issues may be and how thinzs
will turn out We viii have the recollection OF hzys
ing stood shoulder to shoulder with one auotssr
and we can now with great reason entertain strong
hone. of Democratic governmental reformation
Whether earn success at the polls next Novsru-
ber or not we have deserved II. and that is an
that poor mOrtaIS can DO They cannot comDel
Fate
TO the Democratic caucus that the tide OF central
izatiOn and or federal usurpat1On OF governmental
power has seen It's height and is now on the ebb
With thanks for a cooperation and a personal st.
lection that do not feel conscious OF having de-
JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS
Washington. June 13