Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-12-06
CLARK TO LEAD
DEMOCRACY
IN HOUSE
MISS0URlAN UNANIMOUS
CHOICE OF THE MINORITY
New Floor Leader Asks Cordial
Support of Colleagues in Diff
fiCuIt Position to Which He isl
Chosen.


lhS Morning dnhfhhi SpecIal Leased Nirel
| Washington, Dec 5.--Representa.
tive Champ Clark Of Missouri, was
chosen minority leader Of the house
of representatives tonight at a caucus
of the democratic members of that
body.
| Mr.. Clark's election was unanimous
| His name was suggested to the caucus
by the retiring leader. Senator-eIeot
John sharp Williams of Mississippi
Resolutions were adopted thanking
Mr. Williams for his services to the
party on the floor of the house
In accepting the leadership Mr..
Clark said
Il am profoundly grateful for the
great honor just conferred upon me,
an honor doubly priced because of the
unanlmity with which it comes.
hope to discharge the numerous and
difficult duties Of the position so as
not to cause YOU to regret the action
of this hour, but | can not do it, no
man can, without the cordial cooper
alton and constant assistance of his
fellows. This cooperation and con
stant assistance | now invoke in the
interest of the country and of a great
historic party These interests are
largely committed to our hands To
promote them by securing unity Of
action, there must be some self-abne-
cation, some yielding of opinion, some
sacrifice of ease on the part Of every
democratic member.
by conference, by pulling together.
by regular and punctual attendance
on the sessions of the committee and
of the house. by sinking personal
jealousies, by mutuai concessions we
can accomplish much for the welfare
of the country ana the strengthening
of the party Of which We are n.pm-
bers; for let it never be forgotten. tie
serves his party pest who serves his
country we'll
II shall confer with YOU as fire.
quently as possible and invite sugges-
tions on the principle that in a multi
tude of counsel there is wisdom. Each
member should make himself thor
oughly familiar with the business per-
tanning to his committee and should
be in the house TO look after It. /
have no policy other than to carry out
your wishes Truth to tell, being elect
ed to fill out the unexpired term Of
my brilliant and long time friend,
John Sharp Williams. who voluntarily
relinquished the burdens and honors
of the position, | feel that it is really
his term and his arrangements will be
carried out so far as possible. on po.
lltical questions he and have agreed
as nearly as two men who think for
themselves can agree.
THE chief thought in my mind on
this occasion and always is that in
unity there IS strength and that We
must stand together if we would in
crease the influence Of the democratic
party as a factor in public affairs. |
feel that | now enjoy the friendship
of every member here tonight, and of
every member who has a right to be
here tonight. The fondest wish that
could entertain for myself is that on
the fourth of March l Will have as
many friends as / have on the fifth Of
December"
Mr. Clark. in succeeding Mr. Will
Jams, who has been the democratic
leader for six years, takes up the
leadership with a united democracy
behind him. During the six terms he
has served in the house he has won
the reputation among his admirers of
both parties of being one of its most
solid and eloquent members. As rank
ing minority member of the ways and
means committee. he has been well to
. Ia !.
the last few years.
The program of the election of the
new leader was disarranged by the |
retiring leader, Mr. Williams, who did /
not wait for the man selected to
nominate the Missouri representative, |
but performed that function himself |
As soon as Chairman Clayton of |
Alabama, had read the resignation Of /
Mr. Williams as leader, Mr.. Stanley. |,
Of Kentucky. presented a set OF reso- |
utions thanking Mr.. Williams for his |
services ana accepting the resignation. /
Just as that resolution was adopted /
Mr. Williams arrived. He responded /
10 the applause with speech which I
with a prediction Of what /
an excellent leader Mr.. Clark would /
make. not appreciating the situation /
that the selection had not yet been /
made.
Mr. Henry. Of Texas. was to have /
followed with a speech nominating
Mn. Clark. but an he could do was to 1
approve the manner IN which Mr.
Williams had performed that task. I
and 10 second the nomination
Messrs. Sulzer. OF New York. Ma
.on. of Arkansas, James. of Kentucky.
COX, OF Indiana. and Simms. of Ten
lessce, also seconded the nomination.
fpon Representative Chambers mo-
lion the election was made unani-
nous Representatives Lloyd. Of Mis- I
souri,. Russell Of Texas. and bartlett. I
Df Georgia. then brought the new 4
eader into the caucus 90 tell him the .
news.