The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-03-08
OPPOSITION TO
LEADER CLARK
ISeventy-6ve Democrats Are
Wanting New Man TO Lead
Party in House.
CLARK IS NOT IN LINE,
SAYS WHALEY
Former Speakers Attitude on
War Measures Objected to by
Many Democrats.

nosition has developed among the
democratic membership Of the Sixty
sixth congress to the selection Of
former Speaker Champ Clark as mi
nority leader.
Rumors have it that about seven
ty-five members have banded to-
gether to- make this opposition effec-
tive and that thirty or forty more are
inclined at this time against Clark.
The Democratic membership Of the
coming congress is 1913.
1t is by no means to be taken so,'
granted that the anti-Clark move
ment will succeed. But it has GER
tainly become formidable and is Civ
ing the speakers supporters concern.
Congressman r. S. Whaley, Of
Charleston, had no hesitation in an
swering today when asked why lie
had decided to oppose Mr.. Clark for
the minority leadership. Mr.. VIVA
ley says:
81 am for the Democratic party
and not for one man. I believe The
Democratic party should be org:,niz-
ed with different leaders than those
who have been at the head Of it for
the past six years. who have not
been in touch with the Democratic
administration.
! 81 do not believe that Speaker
Clark should be the minority :eaaer,
for I do not believe his views are
those Of the vast majority of the
Democrats of the country His att
tude on conscription and other war
measures was com pletely out Of har-
mony with the sentiment Of the ma
|tion and his ideas Of reconstruction,
from what 7 am told. i believe are
entirely out Of touch. with what the
people think should be done.
Il am in hearty favor Of the league
Of nations, and I understand Mr..
Clark does not look with favor upon
this principle as outlined by the
president. I believe that the leader
Of the party should express the views
nhile leader, Of the majority of the
Democrats Of the house and not
commit the party to his own individ
er.
II believe there should be frequent
consultations and caucuses among
the Democrats a~a the leader should
represent the will Of the majority, and
IS he cannot find himself in accord
with these views he should voiuntar-
; i!y step out. 1t is impossible, in my
cessfu: in the presidential election OF
| 1920 unless the Democrats Of the
SiNty-sixth congress uphold and unite
with President Wilson, who is the
titular head of the party. I am sat
isfied the overwhelming majority OF
the people Of the United States desire
that war should be banished Or made
so remote that it's chances would be
negligible. and therefore they Will be
almost solidly behind the constitu-
ton of the league of nations.
II have cheerfully joined a large
number Of Democrats who believe il
; is necessary to have new leadership
/ with a progressive and constructive
!! program. No man has yet been Sc
i lected and it is not the intention OF
i these who have been for month:
working on this plan to make q
! choice for minority leader, but 70
change the rules and provide for a
steering committee and to have that
! committee select leader from its
membership who will not have any
other committee assignment and
whose duty it will be to remain on
the floor Of the house during the s2s-
SIGN Of congress.