The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-06
MisSOurian Succeeds John
 Sharp Williams In House
ELECTION IS UNANIMOUS
Congressman Clark Accepts the Honor I Conferred By Democrats In Crate ful Words and Promises to
 Fight for the Party.

Washington, December 5.-(Speeial. J. The democratic caucus tonight elected
 Champ Clark of Missouri to the House
 leadership, succeeding John Sharp Will
 Hams of Mississippi. The new leader is native Kentuckian, having been born
 In Anderson county He is now serving his seventh term in the House. and for several years has taken prominent part
 in legislation He brings to the office tho ripe experience of a long congressional
 career, and a bushel of good common
 sense. There is no better democrat than
 Mr. Clark in Congress, and no one has
 ever been mentioned in opposition to his
 election. His leadership should be suc- eessful throughout
 The brilliant Mississippian who volun-
 tariiy relinquished the leadership to MT.
 Clark completes his House service of 1s
 years next March 1. Two years from that date he enters the United States Sen
 ate, and the Senate will be the gainer. John Sharp Williams has been a credit
 to his state and the country, and his
 friends predict for him great things in
 the upper branch of Congress
 MT. Clarl's election was unanimous. His name was suggested to the caucus by the retiring minority leader Senator-elect John sharp Williams of Mississippi. Res oiutions were adopted thanking MT. Will Hams for his services to the party on the
 floor or the House. In accepting the lead ership, MT. Clark said:
 Il am profoundly grateful for the great honor Just conferred on mean banor douDly prized because of the unaniIeitv with which 1t comes. I hopo to discharge the numerous and difficult duties of the position so as not to cause you to regret
 the actlon Of this hour, but l cannot do lt-no man can-without the cordial CO., operation and constant assistance of his fellows. This cooperation and constant assistance I now invoke in the interest or the country, and of a great historic party. These interests are largely com mitted to our hands. To promote them by securing unity of action requires some self-abnegation, 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 committees, and of the House, by sinking personal jealousies, by mutual concessions We can accomplish much for the welfare of the country and the strengthening of the party of which we are members, for let it never be for
 gotten that he serves his party best
 who serves his country well.'
 T shall confer with you as frequently as possible and invite suggestions on the principle that in multitude of counsel there is wisdom. Each member should make himself thoroughly familiar with the business pertaining to his committee, and
 should be In the House to look after 1t.
 have no policy other than to carry out your wish Truth to tell being elected to fill out the unexpired term of my brilliant and longtime friend, Hon. John Sharp williams, who voluntarily relinqushes the burdens and honor of the position, I feel that it Is really his term and his ar arrangements will be carried out so far as possible. On political questions he and I
 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 we must stand to- gether if we would increase the influence of the democratic party as factor in public affairs. I feel that I now enjoy the friendship of every member here to- night. and of every member who has right to be here tonight The fondest wish
 that could entertain for myself is that on March will have as many friends