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-
scribed in yesterdays Star resulted In a.
dramatic scene on tho 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 a caucus to consider the charges made
by the latter that Lamar was lacking In
party fealty. Mr.. Lamars demand
made after he had unsuccessfully endeav-
cred TO bring the matter before the House
on a question of personal privilege and
after unanimous consent to make a 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 was 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 are familiar with the
facts in the case and who knew that feel
ing was running high ON both sides would
not have been surprised to see personal
encounter ensue.
But while both men during their heated
colloquy let 1t be known by their manner
and their tone that they were deadly in
earnest, the energetic manner In which
speaker cannon proclaimed them out or
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 Fl caucus to settle n matter of this
kind.
Mr.. Lamar Is evidently much in earnest
II he cannot secure enough signatures to
make h caucus call obligatory upon the
caucus chairman, he viii protect himself
and repel the accusation of lack OF party
feaity" in some other way.
The newspaper clipping reld 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
newspaper paragraph, In which Mr.. VIII
liams quoted 10 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 a speech upon it,
The Spealer-'"The Speaker is quite clear
that the paragraph read at the clerks desk
does not present the question OF personal
privilege"
Mr.. Lamar-'I am in doubt myself Mr.,
speaker: but desire that it should be for
inally made of record in the House to estop
ana debar foneVer any possible suggestion
that did not attempt to bring that matter
up here in this House"
MIR. Payne, New York-'T suggest to the
gentleman that he ask unanimous con-
sent If he desires to make a statement"
sent
Mr.. Payne-"say ten minutes"
a member-'An hour"
Mr.. Lamar-''Twenty minutes. I would
n dnaJ
The Speaker-"The gentleman from Flor
ia asks unanimous consent TO make q
pei sonal statement
Mr.. WIlfams-"Mr. Speaker pending the
request and reserving the right to object
wish TO say that in the interests of demo
cratic harmony and effectiveness VIII oh,
as me gentleman quite wen know. viii
mol be promoted by washing democratic
linen for the amusement of a republican
House, object" Democratic applause)
Is unfair of this House"
The Speaker-"Objection has been made"
Mr.. DaInar-'Then l will ask the minority
leader II ne VIII not withdraw that objec-
tlon. Will not detain the House"
Mr.. Williams Qnterrupting)-"I have
stated my reasons for having made that OBJ
lection. l have assumed the responsibility
Tor that course and L persist in the objec-
ton"
Mr. Lamar to Mr.. wnliams-"wnl you
call democratic caucus?'
Mr.. Niliiams-''This is not a question for
the consideration of the House of Repre-
sentauves. The gentleman can put that
question to me somewhere else
Mr.. Lamar-''The gentleman went to the
newspapers with this. but objected here on
the floor"
The speaker-"This Is not IN order"
Mr. Lamar-'The House will understan nd
It. have got It before the House"
MI. Williams Notifies Mr.. Lamar.
Mr. Lamar made public the following cor
respondence that passed between him and
Mr.. Williams:
December S, 1905.
Hon. W. B. Lamar.
The Connecticut, City
My Dear Sir: I had contemplated recon-
meHding the Speaker to remove you and Mr..
Shackleford from the committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce because YOU
were not in accord with the ma jority of the
democrats upon that committee, and con-
sldeTed u very important that the report
made by the minority members of that com
nittee, whatever II might be, should be
unanimous and without any dissenting re-
port on the minority side. ! had also con-
templated transferring you from that COM
mittee to foreign affairs one of higher dig
nifty, so that you and others might know
that what l was doing was not actuated by
the desire TO reduce you and had nothing
personal in Il.
1T has been intimated to me, however.
tfat perhaps you would refuse to accept
the committee on foreign affairs IL placed
upor Il. l wish you would let me know
whether this Is the case not as, of
course | do not desire to place you upon
committee which you would decline to
take want 10 put you there thinking
u would be pleasant committee for you,
that you would be in accord with your
colleagues on IL and that your services
on IL would be beneficial to the party and
10 the country. Please call me up over
the phone or else drop me a note as soon
as possible after receiving this l must
hand the Speaker the list tomorrow night
Very truly yours.
(Signedp JOHN s. WILLIAMS"
Mr. Lamar's Protest
The following is Mr.. Lamar's reply:
December 8, 1905.
Hon. John S. Williams, city.
My Dear Sir: 1 received your letter
rather late today. In 1t you offer me
place on the foreign affairs committee in
the House OF Representatives. My desire
Is to retain my position on the committee
on interstate and foreign commerce /
neither accept nor decline the position you
offer me on the committee on foreign az
fairs. You have the power. You can do as