Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1905 — PEOPLE OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PEOPLE OF THE DAY

Leader of tbe Ho«w Minority. John Sharp Williams, leadw; of the Democratic minority in the nouse of representatives, was met In an amicable spirit by Speaker Cannon in the matter of committee appointments. Some time ago It was reported that the speaker had determined to cut down the Democratic representation on many of the committees, but this rumor baa proved to be unfounded. Mr. Williams succeeded James D. Richardson of Tennessee as floor leader of the house minority. His election to the leadership proceeded In the first place from the fact that he was conceded to be the best speaker on the Democratic side. He has a remarkable voice. It is somewhat nasal and rather incisive, but his command of it is perfect His command of sarcasm Is, it is generally agreed, unequaled In the house, except by De Armond of Missouri, but De Armond’s sarcasm is

of the bitter sort, while Williams exposes the weak points of the enemy’s armor In a humorous way. Leader Williams is persuasive, not domineering. He has a winning manner and seems to be seeking help when he is impressing his views. Congressmen who go into his little room in the library wing determined to let Williams understand that they will put up with no nonsense go out pleased and flattered. On the rare occasions where it Is necessary for him to show authority the iron hand comes out of the velvet glove, and the insurgent quickly knows what has happened. He is not an impressive man to look at In fact he is homely in face snd careless in dress. A tangled mass of matted hair grows down to a point not far from his eyes; a straggling mustache covers a mouth of generous size and irregular outlines. Congressman Williams was born in Memphis in 1854, but after the battle of Shiloh, in which his father, a Confederate captain, was killed, the family removed to Yazoo, Miss. He is a lawyer and a planter, whose father left him a fortune. He was a delegate to the convention that nominated Cleveland aud Stevenson and was temporary chairman of the convention that nominated Judge Parker. Mr. Williams is serving his seventh term In congress.

JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS.