Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1905-12-12
Of
MINORITY
ON THE LID
Just in Time 10 Prevent Ey-
pOSure Of Party Linen.
ALL RESULTED FROM NAMING
OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEES

Washington, Dec. ll.--Mr. Williams,
the minority leader of the house
stepped ON the lid today just in time
TO prevent revelations i'm the nature Of
open criticism of the committee as
signments of certain of his colleagues
for which he is responsible. Mr.
Payne. the republican leader, naively
suggested a way in which the revela-
tions might he made. but Mr. Williams
assumed all responsibility and de-
clined to allow the washing of demo-
cratic linen for the amuse ment of re-
nublicans."
The incident followed the an
nouncement of the house committees
Mr.. Lamar of Florida submitted and
had read a newspaper clipping pur-
porting to quote Mr. williams to the
effect that Mr.. Lamar and Mr..
Shackleford (MoD had been left off the
interstate and foreign commerce com
mission because they failed to follow
the democratic caucus Of last session
on the railroad rate bill. Speaker
Cannon suggested that the statement
lid not constitute a question of per-
'onal privilege which entitled Mr. La
mar to the floor.
"The gentleman might proceed by
unanimous consent suggested Mr.
Payne. How much time does he
Vant--an hour
1t was here that Mr. Williams strode
'orward from his seat In the rear. He
tsSailed the speaker with word and
GESTURES and when he got his eye, re-
'erved his right to object only long
,nough 10 make the statement that In
the interest of democratic harmony,
'fectveness and of general good Will,
which Will not be promoted by wash
'ng democratic linen for the amuse-
nent Of the republicans of the house
Il object"
Immediately the question became
Interesting Mr. Lamar faced Mr.
Williams. who stood close TO him, and
charged him With taking the matter
nto the newspapers, Mr.. Shackleford
vas on his feet vainly demanding to
SIX a question. and many democrats
'lpplauded the stand taken by Mr., VIII
iams. Mr.. lamar demanded that Mr.
Williams call democratic caucus to-
morrow or allow him 10 proceed,
Speaker Cannon welded his gavel Wig
Orously and declared everybody out Of
order. and IN the midst of the confu-
sion recognized Mr. Payne for a mo-
tion to adjourn. which was declared
carried and the session was over until
Wednesday.
Committees safely Launched
Before this incident the session had
proceeded without hitch. The unan-
imous consent necessary to increse the.
size of the large committees had been
given. and in this manner the in
creased membership sf the house and
increased republican representation
had been provided committee places.
The democrats had lost no committee
places. but had made a gain of All
Of which Mr. Williams had declared
satisfactory to the minority. As an In
dication of the intention to begin work
AT once. several of the committees
gained permission To have printing
done and to sit during sessions of the
house The session today lasted for
ty-five minutes.
Everybody Satisfied.
Washington. Dec 1.-THE addition
Of republican member TO all of the
important committees of the house has
enabled Speaker Cannon TO solve the
difficult problem of committee assign
ments in manner which appears
most satisfactory to both parties In
the house. Only two important chalf-
inanships were vacant appropriations
and public buildings aud grounds. In
nlliug the former the speaker followed
precedent and looked TO the whole
house for the available material, Mr..
Tawney of Minnesota was chosen
chairman OF appropriations and Mr.
Bartholdt of Missouri chairman Of
public buildings and grounds Mr..
Tawncy gives up his chalrmanshlp of
the committee on Industrial arts aud
expositlous and his place on the ways
and means committee. Mr.. McCleary
was transferred to the ways and means
committee and retains chairmansh Up
Of the committee on libraries. Mr..
Gardner of Massachusetts, becomes
chairman OF the Industrial arts and