The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-19
Announcement Is Made In Let-
 ter to H, ), Clayton
NEVER CONSULTED FRIENDS
Congressman Williams Says That His Health Demands the Step and Would Have Done So Long Ago But
 For Circumstances.

Eufaula, Ala, June 1S.-Congressman John Sharp Williams, of Mississippi, has resigned the minority leadership of the house of representatives to take effect December 1 next. This announcement is made by Congressman H. D. Clayton, chairman of the democratic caucus.
 In a letter to MT. Clayton. MT. Will Hams says:
 Washington, D. C., June IS, 1908 "Hon. Henry D. Clayton, chairman demo-
 cratic caucus, Eufaula, Ala:
 Dear HenryAI write this letter to you as my resignation of the position of par liamentary floor leader for the minority, the resignation to take place upon the first Monday of December, following this oate. l have been thinking about it a good deal and it seems to me that if the next house goes democratic, whoever Is going to be speaker of that house ought to have at least the training of the last, or short session of this congress, not only to fit him for its parliamentary duties, but also to make more intimate ac- quaintance with the personnel on the democratic side than he perhaps other wise might have. If, upon the other hand the next house should be republican, tine preliminary training will be just as neoes- sary in order to fit him for the very ar duous duties of leadership during the sixty-first congress.
 T have not consulted any of my friends about resigning for fear they might attempt to dissuade me and my opinion of the absolute correctness of the position which I am taking is so clear that I did not want either to be dissuaded or to appear obstinate toward them.
 ''1 need not tell you, of course. because you know it, how much shall personally welcome the release from hard work and from the limelght As you and some close personal friends know, I would, be- cause of the condition of my health, have laid down the work long before this but for the appearance of quitting while un- der fire" I would not, however, permit the prospect of the work alone to make me quit if that were all I am actuated solely by the idea that the course that I am taking is best for the party.
 "In sending in the resignation this early so that you can have 1t published instead of waiting until next December. I have been actuated by the idea that it was fair only to the members of the party that they should have time between now and then to fully consider whom they wanted to succeed me.
 ''I have nothing but good feeling for all the democrats in the House. I am glad that in laying down the weapons with which they have armed me I can do so with the recollection that the last con- gress was one almost unprecedented in democratic annals in harmony of action and unity of purpose on the democratic side.
 'If the next campaign could be fought simply upon the issues made in this last session of congress, I would have no sort of doubt of democratic success. No mat ter what the issues may be and how things will turn out, we will have the rec- ollection of having stood shoulder to shoulder with one another, and we can now with great reason entertain strong hope of democratic governmental reforma- ton. Whether we earn success at the polls next November or not, we have de- served 1t, and that is all that poor mor- tals can do They cannot compel fate.
 'I sincerely hope, and express the hope to you and to the democratic caucus, that the tide of centrallzation and of federal usurpation of governmental power has seen Its height and is now on the ebb.
 with thanks for a cooperation and a personal affection that l do not feel con- scious of having deserved, l am, very truly yours.
 JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS"