The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-31
Democrats Confer Upon Methods
 of Republicans 
LEGISLATION IS BLOCKED
Campaign Thunder Will Be Evolved From Actions of Congressmen-ar Department Is Watching Ef-
 forts for Wirtz Monument.

Washington, January 30.-(SpecialD W. J. Bryan had as his guests at dinner tonight Representative Williams of Mississippi, the House minority lead CT; Representative Clayton of Alabama. the chairman of the House democratic caucus, and Senator Culberson of Tex IS, the leader of the minority in the Senate. They discussed pending legis- lation before Congress. Every indica- tion points to desire upon the re- publicans to permit as little legisla. tion as possible during the session. It will be the aim of the minority to at tempt to secure record votes on que,- tions which will enter into the next oampaign.
 The conference of the congressman with MT. Bryan was harmonious throughout. The question of his can aidacy for the nomination was not re- ferred, to, all admitting that it was a settled fact that he would be the nom- inee of the Denver convention. Mfr. Bryan expressed himself as greatly pleased at the course the democrats ia the Senate and House are pursuing and believes that continuance of the policy adopted by Messrs. Williams Clayton and Culberson will contribute in no small degree to democratic vic- tory this fall.
 William Forrest, grandson of General Forrest of the Confederate army. and Major George Pickett, son of tie Confederate general of that name, were at the White House today. MT. Forrest was introduced by Representative Gar rett of Tennessee, while Representative Lamb of Virginia presented Major Pickett. Nj. tjor Pickett was appointed to the arm. during the Spanish -Ameri- can war. tis hearing has grown so bed that Eesss about to bs retired@ Rep resentative Lamb and other friends urge that deafness Is the only ailment interfering with Major Pickett's per- forlnance of duty and they believe this is not serious enough to necessitate severing his relations with the army. The President gave consideration to the views expressed by MT. Lamb but seemed to think that Major Pickett's s disabilities will force his retirement.
 The war department authorities are observing with considerable interest
  the Daughters of the Confederacy to erect on the site of the Andersonville prison @ memorial shaft to Major Henry Wirz, who was in charge of Federal prisoners at that place during the civil war. This monument cannot be erected on the military reservation, which in cludes not only the national cemetery but the site of the old prison. It Will be possible, of course. for the organ1za : tion to erect statute outside the grounds on a tract over which the war department authorities have no 1uris- diction Any request for permission 10 erect the Wirz monument on the military reservation will be refused py the war department.
 Representative Sparkman of Florida. has invited members of the diplomatic corps to attend the Florida state fair' which will be held in Tampa next month. Baron Speck won Sternb ury' the German ambassador, will probably accept the invitation. The gunboat Marietta. under orders from the navy department, will be in Tampa during the fair. S