Talk:Oscar Underwood

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House minority whip

The article indicates that Underwood served as the first House minority whip from 1900-1901, but there are no sources cited. However, the page History of the Whip at the Majority Whip's web site indicates that the Democrats appointed the first whip in 1901. And the Congressional Bioguide entry for Underwood does not indicate that he served as whip. As a result, I am removing the claim. -- JPMcGrath (talk) 11:48, 18 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I've put him back in the list at Party whips of the United States House of Representatives, but it seems to have disputing sources. Let's clarify.—Markles 13:30, 18 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Interesting. Note that all three of the sources are within the House of Representatives. Isn't it nice to know how well your government works? I will see if I can find out more details. -- JPMcGrath (talk) 01:34, 19 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure I'd "blame the government" for working badly. That's a bit extreme, don't you think?10:34, 19 April 2010 (UTC)

Well, the inconsistency is among government web sites, so I am not sure who else I would blame for it. But it is a minor blemish, so do not go reading more into my comment than was intended. BTW, I wrote to the Office of the Clerk to see if someone there can clear up the inconsistency. -- JPMcGrath (talk) 20:49, 19 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

That should settle it. Watch out, however, for WP:OR. —Markles 21:54, 19 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Of course. I hope to get them to correct the web page that is wrong, so there will be no inconsistency. -- JPMcGrath (talk) 02:50, 20 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]
I received a very useful and speedy response from the Office of History and Preservation within the Office of the Clerk. It seems certain that Underwood was the first Whip, although his dates of service are not so clear. According to one CRS report that he/she sent me, "A Democratic whip was appointed soon thereafter [after the Republicans appointed Tawney], with most historical accounts setting the date as 1901." But there are many references to Underwood in newspapers as "Democratic whip" during 1900, and the New York Times article I cited in the article indicates that he had been serving "voluntarily" (informally?) since Congress convened in December 1899. -- JPMcGrath (talk) 12:01, 21 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Update: the Congressional Bioguide entry for Underwood now indicates that he served as minority whip. -- JPMcGrath (talk) 16:35, 1 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]