Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-06-19
RESIGNS LEADERSHIP.

A dispatch from EufauIs, Ala, says
that Congressman John Sharp Williams,
of Mississippi, has resigned the minority
leadership of the House of Representa-
tives, to take effect December l next.
This announcement was made by Con-
gresham II. ID. Clayton, chairman of
the democratic caucus.
Mr.. Williams letter, under date of
June Is, follows:
81 write this leitsr to you as my
resignation ofthe position of parliament
airy floor leader for the minority, the
resignation to take place upon the first
Monday ia December following this
date. | have been thinking about II
good deal aud it seems to me, that II
the next house goes democratic, who
ever is going to be speaker Of that house
ought to have at least the training of the
last, OF short, session of this Congress,
not only to fit him for its parliamentary
duties, but also to make more intimate
acquaintance with the personnel on the
democratic side than he perhaps other
wise might have. II, upon the other
hand, the next house shall be republic
can, the parliamentary training will be
just as necessary in order to it him for
the very srduous duties of leadership
during the Sixty-frst Congress.
81 need not tell you, Of course, be-
cause you know 1t, how much shall
personally welcome the release from
hard work and from the limelight. As
you and some close personal friends
| know, | would. because of the condition
of my health, have laid down the work
long before this but for the appearance
of 'qnitting while under fire. | woald
not, however, permit the prospect of the
work alone to make me quit il that we're
sill. | am sctusted solely by the idea
that the course ! am taking is best fox the
party.
"In sending in the resignation tlis
early, so that you can have it published,
instead of waiting until next December,
| 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 fully to consider whom
they wanted to succeed me.
81 have nothing but good feeling for
all the democrats ia the House, sm
glad that in laying down the weapons
with which they have armed me, | can
do so with tie recollection that the last
Congress was one almost unprecedented
10 democratic annals in harmony of ac-
ton and unity OF purpose on the demo-
cratic side.
"If the next campaign could be fougl
simply upon the issues made in this lsse
session of Congress, | would have no sort
of doubt of democratic success. No mhS-
ter what the issues may be and hew
things will turn out, we will have the
recollection of having stood shoulder TO
shoulder with one another, aud we can
now with great reason entertain strong
hope of democratic governmental reform,
atiop. Whether we can cara success
at the polls next November or net, We
have deserved it, and that ia all that
poor mortals can do. They connot COM
pei fata
81 sincerely hope, and express tbs
hope TO you and to the democratic eau
Gus, that the tide Of GENERALIZATION aud of
federal usurpatiou ofgovernmeptil powt L
has seen its height and is now on the
eob."
1t is understood that the leadership of
the demt at, will probably fall upoy
Champ Clark, of Missouri.
Other democrats who have been promi-
nenlly mentioned as possible Successors
Of John Sharp Wiliams in the lesoer.
ship of the minority ara Representatives
Henry, OF Texas; De Almond, of Mis-
sUuri, and Bartlett, of Georgia.