The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-12-06
old WARHORSE
CHOSEN LEADER
Democrats in Lower House of
Congress Will Fight Under
Champ CIark'S Direction.
VERDICT WAS UNANIMOUS
SPEECH OF THE MISSoURiAN
THANKING THE MEMBERS.

Washington, Dec 5.-Representative
Champ Clark of Missouri was chosen
minority leader of the house of repre-
sentatives 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 minority leader, Sem
ator-elect John Sharp Williams OF Mis-
sissippi. Resolutions were adopted
thanking Mr. Williams for his services
TO the party on the floor of the house.
MIR. CIark's Speech.
In accepting the leadership, Mr.. Clark
said:
Il am profoundly grateful for the
great honor just conferred on me, an
honor doubly priced because Of the
unanimity with which it comes. 1 hope
to discharge the numerous and difficult
duties of the position 50 as to not cause
you to regret the action OF this hour,
but l cannot do it, no man can, without
the cordial cooperation and constant
assistance of his fellows. This cooper
alton and constant assistance I now
invoke in the interest of the country
and of a great historic party. These in
terests are largely committed to our
hands. To promote them by securing
unity of action requires some self-ab-
negation, 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 jealous
les, by mutual concessions, we can ac-
complish much for the welfare of the
country and the strengthening of the
party OF which we are members; for let
It never be forgotten, He serves his
party best who serves his country
we'll
Suggestions Invited.
II shall confer with you as frequently
as possible and invite suggestions, on
the principle that in a multitude of
counsel there is wisdom. Each mem
Der should make himself thoroughly IA
miliar with the business pertaining to
his committee and should be- i'm the
house TO look after it, l have no policy
other than to carry out your wishes.
Truth to tell, beng elected to fill out
the unexpired term of my brilliant and
longtime friend, John Sharp Williams
who voluntarily relinquished the bur-
dens and honors of the position, ] feel
that it is really his term, and his ar
rangements will be carried out so far as
possible. On political 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 factor in public affairs. I
feel that 1 now enjoy the friendship OF
every member here tonight, and OF ev-
cry member who has a right to be here
tonight. The fondest wish that l could
entertain for myself is that on the 4th
of March l will have as many friends
as l have on the 5th of December"
Democracy United.
Mr.. Clark. in succeeding Mr.. Williams.
VINO has been the Democratic leader for
six years. takes the leadership with a
united Democracy behind him. During
the SIX terms he has served in the house
he has won the reputation among the ad-
herents of both parties of being one OF
its most solid and eloquent IT embers. As
ranking minority member of the WAYS
and means committee. he mas been wei
to the front in legislative affairs during
the last few years.
The program of the election of the
new leaders was disarranged by the re-
firing leader, Mr. Williams, who did not
wait for the man selected to nominate the
Missouri representative, but performed
that function himself.
Mr.. Williams Speech.
As soon as Chairman Clayton of Ala
bama had read the resignation OF Mr..
Williams as leader, Mr.. Stanley of Ken
lucky presented a set OF resolutions
thanking Mr.. Williams for his services
and accepting the resignation. Just as
that resolution was adopted Mr.. williams
arrived. He responded to the applause
with a speech which concluded with "A
prediction Of what an excellent leader
Mr.. Clark would make, not approaching
the situation that the selection had not
yet been made.
Henry M TEXAS have fol-
lowed with a speech nominating MI
Clark but all he could do was to ap-
prove the manner in which Mr.. Williams
had performed that task and to second
the nomination
Messrs. Sulzer of New York. Macon Of
Arkansas. James Of Kentucky. Cox of In
diana and Simms Of Tennessee also sec
onded the nomination. Upon Representa-
tive Chambers motion the election was
made unanimous. Representatives Lloyd
of Missouri. Russell of Texas and Hart
lett OF Georgia then brought the new
leader into the caucus TO tell him the
news.