The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-12-15


Washing of Democratic linen for the
amusement of Republicans" as Mr..
Williams. the minority leader put it
Monday occupied the attention of the
House for more than four hours today.
The result accomplished was a def
thrown at the minority leader by Rep
resentative Lamar of Florida, and an
other by Representative Shackelford,
of Missouri. The complaint of both re-
\ suited from the failure of Mr.. Williams
to recommend their reappointment as
members of the committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce.
Both made long speeches in which
Mr.. Williams leadership was aSsalled
from many points. Mr.. Williams re-
piled to Mr.. Lamar at some length and
briefly to Mr.. Shackelford. His de-
Tense was that last session the DEM
ocrats on this committee were divided
and he deemed it necessary for the
good of the party and the country that
a united minority report should be
made on the subject of railroad rate
legislation.
Speaking Of the leadership Of Mr..
Williams. Mr. Lamar said he would
recognize him as the party leader but
not personally until he relieves me
He stated that he did not agree
with Mr. Williams that Republicans
would enjoy personalities between
Democrats. Emphasizing this he re-
ferred to the personal debate Of last
session between Mr.. Sullivan, of Mas
sachusetts. and Mr.. Hearst New YORK.
At that time he charged the minority
leader had made no objection to the
procedure.
Mr Lamar reverted to the great i'm
Dortance of railroad rate legislation
and reviewed the action of the House
a the last session which included vot-
ing down the Davey bill. proposed by
the minority The Davev bill, he said
had first been adopted by Democratic
caucus The bill then contained bul
two sections. The committee added
five sections.
Even after these sections had been
added, he still thought and would con
1inue to think the Hearst bill superior
The minority leader, he said, was
forced to amend the Davey bill on the
floor of the House or see it go Ou
to the country in an imperfect condl'
ton, If that caucus was binding tnel
he challenged the minority leader tC
deny the fact that no one could have
amended it. Conceded that the mi
nority leader should have power t
make committee removals as we'll a.
appointments, but he must exercis'
that power in the face of moral obi
CATION and reaSOnableneSS. He re
viewed the fact that he had voted 10
Mr.. Williams as leader. 'and sustain
ed him when his party turned hin
down on the Miles amendment
Mr. Lamar concluded with the state
ment that ne considered his remova
from the commerce committee an &C
absolutely untenable and an aspersio
upon his private character. He Sc
tI,n 1iy1Cr of nOrrPCnOndpnc
on the matter between himself and MI
Williams.
Mr.. Lamar said it had gone to tn
country through the press that tn
minority leader would not tolerate TO
lowers of Mr.. Hearst
He admitted he felt friendly &c
ward Mr.. Hearst and regarded n
bill good one He then charged Nj
Williams With contributing more
one minute to Democratic inharmon
than. he (Ar. Iamar) had in yea
He admitted that on Monday he Wa
in the heat of anger and glad that
had been stopped. However. his pei
sonal friendship for Mr.. Williams he
ceased
Mr. Williams was at once recognize
70 reply II am he said, about
perform very unpleasant duty an
one the wisdom of which I have ser
Gus doubts The gentleman know
himself too seriously. He thinks
can make a national issue out Of
committee assignment. but he can't c
it. He thinks he was removed but
was not There was no committee
Mr. Williams asked if he would n
have been lacking in moral couras
and in every essential of a floor lead
if he had made up a minority mer
bership of the commerce commit
which would have been divided fo
to two on the question of railro'
rates.
"My brother would have gone
that committee under the same G.
cumstances" said Mr.. Williams al
he added that had the Hearst bill +
ceIved the minority support In col
mittee he would have supported It
caucus
Comnaring Mr.. Lamar to his gre
uncle L. O. c. Lamar" Mr.. W11ial
said the uncle possessed superb es