The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1908-07-07
THE DEMOCRATIC coNoREssmEN
SEARCHING FOR LEADER.
CHAMP CLARK LACKS ENERGY
N Democrats Gain Control Of House
missourisn May Probably Not Sit
In Uncle Joe's Reserved Seat.
Texans Fine Timber

Washington. July Cit is perhaps
an ind cation of confidence in "A Demo.
cratic landslide. at least as for as the
congressional elections this fall are
concerned. that Democratic congress.
men are seriously considering avail
able timber for the speakership Il is
perhaps matter Of foresight that
the consideration or this problem IS
cause for serious perturbation ON the
part Of Dell.posted Democrats.
Representative Champ Clark an
pears to have the lead for the minor.
- leadership, and to the casual oh
.ervor it would appear that the n iabr.
ity leader would be the logical choice
for the speakership But the Champ
Clark factor in the situation is what
Is causing the anxiety on the part Of
the Democrats who want not only 10
win this time, but who want to stay
win"
It is this class of Democrats who
who want the party to select n real
leader at the ensuing session Cf COZ
gress. whether he be a minority lead
er or speaker. They want a Young
man and an active man. some one ct
a dozen practical democratic politicians
In the house of the aggressive stamp
OF Fitzgerald of New York, who is
every inch fighter.
It is said of Champ Clark that he is
brilliant, but without energy It is
even said he is lazy 1t is also said
OF him that he is one of the most low
able men on the floor of the house,
but that he will never endanger his
popularity by taking a fighting stand
on any unsettled question It is ac-
knowledged that he is an orator. com
bining classic learning with homely
expression, which makes his speeches
delightful to hear and entertaining to
read, but II is also charged against
him that he has not mastered or even
qualified himself to debate seriously
the great problems of government.
By the side of that old Democratic
war horse, Henry Clayton Of Alabama,
Champ Clark is merely a good fel.
low. II is reported here that Clay
ton will shy his castor in the ring for
minority leader. and repeated mention
is made of Ollie James, the fighting
Kentuckian who has all the elements
of a leader
Among the Texas delegation three
whose names have been prominently
mentioned for Democratic leadership
There are moro than three whose light
ming rods are up, but Judged by the
standard of Champ Clark. there are
three whose performances I'm the past
several congresses tower above the ac.
compishments OF the Missourian. One
of these is George Burgess, whose
grasp of big problems Is reflected I'm
his speeches on the floor Another Is
r. l.. Henry, in whom is combined the
student politician and leader. A third
Is Albert Burleson, who in the past
three years has put more laws of ma
tional importance on the statute boo6s
than any other Democrat, and then
many strong Republicans outside OF
the close political corporations known
as the Sherman. Payne concern.
Without question, all of these men
have qualifications of leadership that
are absolutely foreign to Champ Clark.
Democratic congressman who have be-
come confident OF party victory in No
vember have recently expressed them
selves on the leadership question in
manner to leave no doubt but that the
possibility OF the Democrats winning
the house has put a different aspect on
the matter OF selecting a leader, and
there is every aspect at this time
that Champ Clark will experience the
strongest kind of opposition in the
event of Democratic victory.