The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-19

minority leadership of the.
House OF Representatives, to
take effect December LIST next. This
announcement is made By Congressman
II. ID. Clayton. chairman of .he Demo-
cratic caucus.
In letter to Mr.. Clayton Mr. VIII
liams says:
Washington, d. c.. June 10. 1905
Hon. Henry y. Clayton, Chairman
Democratic Caucus, Eufaula, Ala.
Dear Henry.--I write this letter to
you as my resigna ton of the position
of parliamentary floor leader for the
minority. the resignation to take place
ubon the first Monday in December
following this date. / have been
thinking about it good deal, and it
seems to me that il 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 TIT him for its parliamentary duties,
but also to make more Intimate ac-
qcaintance with the personnel of the
Democratic side than he, perhaps.
otherwise might have.
IF, upon the other hand, the next
House shall be Republican, the prelimi-
nary training will be Just as necessary
/ In order to fit him for the very ardu-
ous duties of leadership during the
lSixty-first Congress
II have not consulted any OF my
friends about rssigains. for fear they
might attempt TO dtssuade me, and my
opinion OF the absolute correctness OF
1.-THE position which am taking is 90
clear that l did not want either to be
EdiSSliadp1 nbxtirate to-
wards them.
II need not tell you, of course. because.
T you know it. how much i shall per-
IsonaI,y welcome the release from hard
work and from the limelisht. AS you
and some close personal friends know,
III would. because of the condition of
my health, have laid down the work
llcng before this but for the appearance
| of quitting while under fire I would
! nor, however permit the prospect of
the work alone to make me quit If
THAT We're ALL
II am actuatcd solely by the idea
| that the course that l am taking is
| best for the party.
! ''In sending in the resignation this
early, so that you can have it pub
/ tlished. instead of waiting until next
I December / have been actuated by the
| idea that 1t was only fair to the mcn-
I peiS tt u lHe ~ par tilstt AlileS Slpult
| have time between now and then to
/ fully consider whom they wanted to
| succeed me.
Il have nothing but good feeling for
| all the Democrats III the House. l am
I glad that in laying down the weapons
/ with which they have armed me.
can do so with the recollection that
the last Congress was enc almost un-
precedented in Democratic annals in
harmony of action and unity of pur-
pose on the Democratic SIDE
IF the next campaign could be
fought simply upon the issues made
in this last session of Congress,
would have no sort of doubt OF Demo
/ cratic success.
NO matter what the issues may be
and how things will turn out. we will
4 have the recollection of having stood
shoulder to shoulder with one another
and we can now with great reason
entertain strong hope of Democratic
i governmental reformation. Whether
i we earn success at the polls next No
i vember or not, we have deserved it.
and that is all that poor mortals can
do. They cannot compel fate.
j IT sincerely hope. and express the
i hope to you and to the Democratic
caucus. that the tide of Capitalization
i and of Federal usurpation of govern
I |5mental power has seen its height and
\ la now on the ebb.
.'With thanks for a cooperation and
personal affection that ] do not fel
Il conscious of having deserved, i am
4 Very truly yours.
rJOEIN SHARP WILL1ANIS."