Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-11
Displaced From Committee by
Minority Leader Williams.
APPEALED TO HOUSE
WISHED TO MAKE A PERSONAL
STATEMENT.
Objection Made by Mr.. Williams In
the Interest of Harmony Among
Democratic Representatives.


side of the House of Representatives de-
seribed In yesterdays Star resulted In a.
dramatic scene on the floor of the House
today when Representative Lamar of Flori-
da arose in his place and demanded that
John Sharp Williams, the minority leader,
call caucus to consider the charges made
by the latter that Lamar was lacking In
party fealty. Mr.. Lamars demand was
made after he had unsuccessfully endeav
ored 10 bring the matter before the House
question of personal privilege and
after unanimous consent to make state
ment the subject had been denied him.
the minority leader being the sole member
10 object
In the House the various committees had
been appointed and everything was running
smoothly. on the surface, at least, when
Representative Lamar recognized by
the chair. The minority leader Immediate
ly left his seat and walked down the aisle
10 a desk a few feet behind that of the
Florida representative Members on the
minority side who familiar with the
facts in the and who knew that feel
ing running high on both sides would
not have been surprised to see personal
encounter enSue.
But while both men during their heated
colloquy let it be known by their manner
and their tone that they were deadly in
earnest, the energetic manner in which
Speaker Cannon proclaimed them out of
order and refused to let the colloQuy go
on prevented possible disorder. But 1T has
been long since democratic member
stood UP on the floor of the House and In
strident tones demanded that his leader
call caucus to settle matter Of this
kind.
Mr.. Lamar Is evidently much IN earnest.
II he cannot secure enough signatures to
make caucus call obligatory upon the
caucus chairman. he viii protect himself
and repel the accusation of lack of party
AM in pth 70 rx.yaxr
The newspaper clipping read this morning
by the clerk of the House simply stated
that Mr. Williams had removed Messrs.
Lamar and Shackelford from the commerce
committee because they had violated a
party caucus.
Objection to Lamar's Statement.
Mr.. Lamar sent to the Speakers desk a
newspaper paragraph. in which Mr.. Will
liams was quoted TO the effect that he had
removed Messrs. Lamar and Shackelford
from the commerce committee because they
violated the democratic caucus agreement
on the Davey BILL.
Now, Mr.. Speaker" Mr.. Lamar said IF
that is not a question of personal privilege
do not desire to make speech upon it."
The Speaker-'The Speaker is quite clear
that the paragraph read at the clerks desk
privilege
Mr.: Lamar-'I am in doubt myself. Mr.
Speaker: but desire that it should be for
inaily made Of record in the House to estop
and debar forever any possible suggestion
that did not attempt to bring that matter
up here in this House"
MIR; Payne, New Yorls-'I suggest to the
gentleman that he ask unanimous con-
sent II he desires to make a statement
sent
Mr.. Payne-"Say ten minutes
A member-''An hour"
Mr.. Lamar-'Twenty minutes I would
Ike 10 have square deal"
The Speaker-''The gentleman from Flor
Ida asks unanimous consent to make
Del sonal statement"
Mr.. Williams--Mr. Speaker. pending the
request and reservlng the right to object
cratic harmony and effectiveness VIII CHI
as the gentleman quite well know. will
not be promoted by washing democratic
House, object" Democratic applause1
MIR. Iarlar-'I will not ask one thing that
is unfair OF this House,
The STANDARDIZATION has been made"
MI Lamar-'"I'hen will ask the minority
leader II he will not withdraw that objec-
ti9 on; Will viii not detain the House."
stated my reasons for having made that oh
lection. l have assumed the responsibility
for that course and persist in the objec-
ton"
Mr. Lamar to Mr.. williams-''wIll YOU
call democratic caucus?"
Mr.. Williams-''This is not question for
the consideration OF the House of Repre-
sentative5 The gentleman can put that
question to me somewhere else"
Mr.. Lamar" The gentleman went to the
the floor"
The speaker-"This Is not In order,
Mr.. Lamar-"The House viii understand
1t. 1 have got 1t before the House"
Mr.. Williams Notifies Mr.. Lamar
Mr.. Lamar made public the following cor
respondence that passed between him and
Mr. Williams:
December s, 1905.
Hon. ". 3. Lamar,
The Connecticut, City
My Dear Sir: had contemplated recon-
mendins' the Speaker TO remove you and Mr.
Shackleford from the committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce because Won
were not in accord with the majority of the
democrats upon that committee, and | con-
sldered II very important that the report
made By the minority members of that com
mittee, whatever 1t might be, should be
unanimous and without any dissenting re-
port on the minority side had also con-
templated transferring you from that COM
nittee to foreign affairs. one of higher dig
nifty, so that you and others might know
that what was doing was not actuated by
the desire TO reduce you and had nothing
personal in It.
1T has been intimated to me. however,
tfat perhaps you would refuse to accept
the committee on foreign affairs IL placed
upor IT, | wish you would let me know
whether this Is the case or not. as, of
course. | do not desire to place you upon
committee which you would decline to
take. want TO put you there, thinking
X would be a pleasant committee for you,
that You would be in accord with your
colleasues on II and that your services
on II would be beneficial to the party and
to the country. Please call me UP over
the phone or else drop me a note as soon
as possible after receiving this / must
hand the Speaker the list tomorrow night
Very truly yours.
(signeb JOHN S. WILLIAMS"
Mr.. Lamar's Protest.
The following Is Mr.. Lamars reply:
December o. 1905.
Hon. John S. Williams, city.
Ny Dear Sir: I received your letter
rather late today. In 1t you offer me a
place the foreign affairs committee in
the House OF Representatives. My desire
Is to retain my position on the committee
on interstate and foreign commerce. L
neither accept nor decline the position you
offer the committee on foreign af-