Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-12-14
Williams Hit Hard by
Shack|eford and Lamar.
Latter Criticizes Bitterly and
Declares Friendship p at an End.
Washing Of Democratic Linen for Amuse-
ment Of Republicans" Becomes Reality.

Washington, Dec. 13.-The washing
of Democratic linen for the amuse-
ment of Republicans" as Mr. Williams,
the minority leader, put it, Monday, Oc-
cupied the attention of the House for
more than four hours, today. The re-
suit accomplished was a def thrown
at the minority leader by Rep. Lamar
of Florida, and another by Rep. Sha
elford of Missouri. The complaint of
both resulted from the failure of Mr..
Williams to recommend their reap
pOintment as members of the commit
tee on interstate and foreign commerce.
Both made long speeches in which Mr..
Williams leadership was assailed from
many points. Mr.. Williams replied to
Mr.. Lamar at some length and briefly
to Mr. Shackleford. His defence was
that at the last session the Democrats
ON this committee Were divided and he
deemed it necessary for the good of
the party and the country that unit
eG minority report should be made on
the subject of railroad rate legislation.
MIR. Lamar was particularly bitter in
his criticism and openly declared that
his heretofore personal friendship FOR
Mr.. Williams was forever at an end un-
less the criticism of himself were re-
tracted. He. however, would recognize
Mr.. Williams as the party leader.
Mr.. Shackleford denounced all bosses
and placed himself entirely independ-
ent of party leadership in the House.
The subject under discussion was the
committee distribution of the annual
message of President Roosevelt. AT the
conclusion of the Democratic debate,
this had not been accomplished and the
House adjourned.
Committee reference of the annual
message of President Roosevelt was
made according to subjects treated.
The question of federal control of in
surance was assigned to the committee
Oh ways and means. Mr.. Payne said
that in his opinion the only way the
United States can deal with insurance
companies is through the taxing pOw-
er ana over this the ways and means
committee has jurisdiction. The sub
jcct of election expenses was referred
to the committee on the election of
President. Vice President and members
Of Congress.
Objection to sending the insurance
questions to ways and means was made
by Hepburn, Ia. He said it was the
opinion of many men learned in the
law, that when the attention of the su-
preme court was called directly to the
question of federal control of insur-
ance another view of the subject will
be taken.
Hepburn maintained that the COM
merca clause of the constitution gave
Congress power to control insurance.
Lamar, Fla, was recognized and re-
verted to the question of committee
appointments he had referred to on
Monday.
Williams, the minority leader, at once
left his seat and took a place near
Lamar. Speaking of the leadership Of
Williams, Lamar said he would recog-
nize him as the party leader, but not
personally ''until he relieves me Of an
unjust charge on his part"
He conceded that the minority leader
should have power to make committee
removals as well as appointments, but
he must exercise that power in the
face of moral obligations and q reason
ableness.
Lamar concluded with the statement
tiidt Ilt toIlSlueTCu Ills removal 1ToIII
the commerce committee an act absO-
lutely untenable and an aspersion on
his private character. His personal
friendship for Mr.. Williams, he de-
clared, had ceased.
Williams was at once recognized to
reply.
''The gentleman" he said. "takes
himself too seriously. He thinks he
can make a national issue out of
committee assignment, but he can't do
it. He thinks he was removed, but he
was not. There was no committee"
Williams asked If he would not have
been lacking in moral courage and in
every essential Of floor leader II he
had made up a minority membership
of the commerce committee which
would have been divided four to two
on the question of railroad rates.
Comparing Lamar to his great uncle,
L. Q. c. Lamar Williams said the
uncle possessed superb egotism. But
he also possessed, to consecrate 1t, a
superb intellect" He admitted he did
not love Hearst. "Why should I love
a millionaire who owns many papers
which he seems to be devoting to tear
ing me down." he asked.
Lamar at once appealed for recogni-
ton as did Shackleford. Lamar was
recognized
Lamar referred to letter of criti-
cism Of Hearst by Williams. The latter
denied the criticism. During this de-
NAL Shackleford was recognized and
reviewed the history of rate legislation.
Shackleford commended Hearst person.
ally and for his rate bill He said he
was glad to see that President Roose-
welt in his message had "come around
to the Hearst BILL
"Out in Missouri we have raised the
cry: Down with the bosses,'" declared
Shackleford. adding that it was the
McCalls and McCurdys who prevented
the election of w. ]. Bryan as Presi-
dent and that HI. H. Rogers and J. Pier
pont Morgan would be delighted to