The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-02-17
EXCITEMENT IN THE HOUSE.
On Monday Night Fo- Few Min1-
tes it Seemed There Might Be
Personal Encounter

on the floor OF the house OF represent
tatives, in Columbia, OH Monday
night, and for few minutes person
al encounter between two Of the men,
bers was expected by many of those
on the floor. The affair passed off
without a fight, however. The excite
ment is thus reported by the Colum-
bia State:
There was quite lot OF excitement
on the floor of the house of repre-
sentatives last night Mr.. LaFitte of
Bamberg made a speech in which he
charged Mr.. Cloy OF Aiken with hav-
ing acted in bad faith and having con-
Quoted himself dishonorably. No such
charges have been made on the floor
Of the house in many years.
The matter under discussion was
the judiciary committees bill to pro-
vide the time for holding courts in
the state in order to comply with the
new grouping of counties made by
the ten circuit bill. Many amend
ments were offered and matters were
dragging along in a mechanical way
when Mr.. LaFitte sprung sensa-
ton
Mr.. Glow offered ali amendment at
fect;ng the second circuit Mr.. La
Fitte also offered an amendment for
the same territory. Mr.. Cloy moved
to table Mr.. LaFitte's amendment. At
this, Mr. LaFitte secured the floor
and in very angry manner denounc-
ed the course of Mr.. Cloy. The lat
ter subsequently replied in a manner
which was thoroughly parliamentary
but there was in his remarks keen
note of satire which indicated that he
ignored the personal part of Mr.. La
Fitte's remarks and replied to the
question at issue.
In speaking on Mr.. Clogs motion
to table his amendment, Mr.. LaFitte
declared that he was panied to dis
cover that there was member Of the
house who is not worthy to have
scat in that body. He charged that he
had been deceived and had been treat
ed falsely by that member. He de-
clared that this was not right or just
or honorable treatment. No honest
man would thus take advantage OF his
fellowman. He charged that it was
an attempt to sneak in ali amend
ment on the part Of the would be
honorable" gentleman from Aiken.
He had been promised that the par
ties interested would confer before
action was taken. but no notice OF
this amendment had been given him,
He continued that this would be gag
legislation 20 pass the amendment Of
fered by the gentleman from Aiken
without giving him an opportunity 10
be heard He seemed to take offenSe
at the way in which Ba:nucrg's time
Of holding court had been changed
from December until January.
At this point in the proceedings the
house receded from business a few
minutes in order to ratify acts in joint
assembly. Mr.. LaFitte arose from his
seat somewhat excitedly and walked
from the extreme left OF the hall to
the door of the hall. Solicitor James
E. Davis was walking towards the
door in ii.v >c::1-e aisle.
From the statement of bystanders,
when the two met at the door, Mr..
LaFitte said to MIR. Davis, "Now darn
you. YOU have got in your dirty
work." Mr.. Davis replied in kind anc
showed Mr.. LaFi.te back as if he were
expecting al encounter. Mr.. La
Fitte then requested and nlotinrcd %
MI. Davis to come outside Of the hall
1t is 10: known whether or not Mr..
LaFitte intended TO attack Mr.. Davis.
but the >crgcar: I, arms came up in
time 20 prevent anything OF the kind.
Mr.. Davis is delicate man and was
preparing to defend himself with 4
knife il a difficulty had been precipi-
tated