The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1911-12-28

MWU.IM.WA THAT "a lew VI AhNm @H'N
nN~ prcferrea reaction TO pro
erosion as a text, ana
- that some Of these who
have spoken on behalf Of
one cause have been suspected OF holding In
their hearts a feeling OF antagoniSm to the poi
icles for which their lips were asking support
II has eeen held that the proceedings OF con
gress during the last eight years have been more
interesting from a purely popular point OF We"
than the proceedings Of any other congress since
the time prior TO the great Civil war. Durlhs
the Roosevelt and 4aft administrations there has
been an opportunity to watch from the press gal
lery the actions and the manners OF men supposed
TO be representatives OF the American type aS II
IL known 20 the world.
Congressman are intensely human creatures
At the outset OF their congressional careers there
10 apt 70 be a sort Of constraint about them. but
this wears OF and the proceedings In either hall
Of the capitol. although they have TO do ordinarily
with matters OF great moment TO the people. run
along very much ss do the proceedings In a town
meeting into which pCrtisanship. jealousies, human
interests, selhshness and generosity and IN TACT
the whole collection OF human eXccllcncios and
human failings enter. Tho proceedings In con
gress and even the personal interchange between
the members have perhaps ar interest which Is
above that pertaining to all other American de-
Lucrative bodies because congress In a way Is
the cJurS Of last Legislative resort and there the
laws are made and unmade and there Is az stake
the good OF the masses.
A NV OF The men who have figured In the de.
bates OF the last few years have died. some OF
them have been promoted from one house to an.
other and some OF them have been denoted 10
private life, but their names are known 10 the
people.
John Sharp Williams Of Mississippi. who has
Just entered the senate OF the United states, Was
during a part OF the Roosevelt administration a
house leader Of tho Democrats and. as some one
has called him, the rcproyer and adviser Of the
Republicans. Mr.. Williams is a picturesque man.
u is perhaps needless "a say that the Rcpub.
licans never followed the gratultous aud gravcly
given advice OF the Yazoo statesman but they
paid passing heed 10 It because. from their view.
point. OF the very sublimity Of the impertineuce
OF the thing. II was a good.natured irIpertineuce,
however. ironical In substance and IN manner. and
It added to the general ~gladness OF the house de.
bates.
Mr. williams position as adviser IN chief fov
the party across the aisle reminded one OF nothing
30 much as OF the course Of a certain great news.
paper which for years excorlated Grover Cleye.
land editorially on Mondays. Wednesdays and
Fridays. while on Tuesdays. Thursdays and Satur.
days Il gave the same amount Of space 70 the
telling OF Mr.. Cleveland what he must do to save
the country. Sunday was the one day OF peace.
II Mr.. Williams name were not written In the
record and II Il did not appear in the directory and
on the framework OF his congressional desk. one.
third OF II speedily would be- lost 20 sight and
memory, for Democrats and Republicans and the
Washington populace without the walls Of The
capitol hail him 10 his face and speak Of him
behind his back as John SHARP.
Had II not been foI Mr. Williams one year con.
gress would have adjourned before June WAS tread.
ing upon the heels " July. some OF tar Eauuhli.
can chieftains In the house m4trcrel things .a.t
savored suspiciouEly OF impreCations af me course
Of the Mlssiss.pplan, but each Republican CHIEF
tain knew ia his heart that VITA ne party ma
Jority reversed aud with legislation circumstance
similar, he would have acted as did tAe Democrat
Of the Ynzoo district.
The statehood bin was in conference and there
appeared 20 be no earthly chance that the con.
ferees would make q report for week.. The Re-.
publican Members representing 'la house Ola Vie
were holding out against fhe senate
members IN the hope ol getting O. concession 20
the matter OF the admission of Arizona and Sew
Mexico as one state. The Democrats OF NE house
desired shH' the bill should stand as tbo senate
passed H. aud they did not approve OF what they
called the ]tringout process. which they said
was In worklus progress IN the conference coa.
mittee room.
Democratic Leader Williams therefore. largely
upon his own initiative. decided .Ha, De v..IE
uy to force a report As a resul'. hn raised tho
point o. no quorum IN the house uron every Ins.
sible occasion. and this led t0 tedious au. time.
losing roll calls. 70 was given ou, hafly that Mr.
Williams would ccNse bis obstructive tactics the
instant the statehood report was made. or. Speak.
er Cannon and those waD.e hearts and soul. were
IN the statehood hght as a party matter preferred
20 lose the time and 70 listen 20 tAe drouiur tones
o. he roll call clerk rather .huH % surrender
Day after day Mr. Cannon would noun, 20 hs
seat. would look over the chamber and noting
the absence of d quorum would look auE9usly
In the direction Of the Democratic leader. The
relentless Williams would raise Els point. and leg
islatlon would be blocked one day when there
was a pltlably small attendance the speaker
counted a quorum.
How did you make out?' qleriod MT Williams
Il counted 10 blocks OF ten said Mr.. Cannon,
and business went On. but the counting game.
which VAS an improvement on the iad!dna blocks
OF nye system, was checked the next day b. the
alert Mizsiasippian.
Leader Williams had an eye 10 the prophecies.
n was he who brought 20 a molodramatlo close a
controversy between Mr.. Hepburn Of Iowa and
Mr., Cooper OF Wisconsin which apparently was
tending toward a tragic finale. Mr.. williams had
left his seat on the Democratic side th mlngIe
~ith the Republicans who had gathered about the
irate iowan and tho wrathy Wisconsinite.
NJ DnwAum. una -