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,.

10 CoHuitlOH Vi dltd4fo oii tifc immunity
side of the House of Representatives de-
scribed 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.. Lamar's demand was
made after he had unsuccessfuliy endeav-
ered to bring the matter before the House
on question of personal privilege and
after unanimous consent to make a state
ment on the subject had been denied him.
the minority leader being the sole member
TO 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 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 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
Speaker Cannon proclaimed them out of
order and refused to let the colloquy go
on prevented possible disorder. But 1t has
been long since a 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 h caucus call obligatory upon the
caucus chairman. he win protect himself
and repel the accusation Of lack OF party
fealty" in some other way.
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.. VIII
Gams was quoted to the effect that he had
removed Messrs. Lamar and Shackelford
from the commerce committee because they
violated the democratic caucus agreement
the Davey bfll-
Now, Mr.. Speaker" Mr.. Lamar said IF
that Is not 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
diU III UOCDC myself, MI.
Speaker; but I desire that 1t should be for
naiiy made of record in the House to estop
ana debar forever any possible suggestion
that did not attempt to bring that matter
up here in this House."
Mr. Payne, New York-'1 suggest to the
gentleman that he ask unanimous con-
sent II he desires to make statement"
Mr. Lamar-'I do ask unanimous con-
sent"
Mr. Payne-"Say ten minutes"
"A member-''An hour"
MI Lamar-"Twenfy minutes I would
Ike to have a square DEAL"
The Speaker-"The gentleman from Flor
ida asks unanimous consent to mako q
Del sonal statement"
Mr. Williams-"Mr. Speaker pending the
request and reserying the right to object
j wish to say that In the interests of demo.
cratic harmony and effectiveness which.
as the gentleman quite we'll know will
not De promoted by washing democratic
linen for the amusement of a republican
House, object" democratic applause)
is unfair of this House,
The Speaker-"Ob1ectfou has haeu rnada
Mr.. Damar-'"Then will ask the minority
leader II he win not Withdraw that objec-
tfon. viii not detain the House
Mr. Williams Qnterrupting)-"I have
stated my reasons for having made that OBJ
section. 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.. Ntllfams-''This is not a 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
newspapers with this. but objected here on
the floor
The Speaker-"Tyhis is not In ORDER
Mr.. Lamar-"The House viii understand
It l have got 1t 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: had contemplated recon-
mendiRg the Speaker to remove you and Mr.
Shaekleford from the committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce because You
were not in accord with the majority of the
democrats upon that committee and / con-
sidered IL very important that the report
made by the minority members of that COM
mlttee, whatever 1t might be, should be
unanimous and without any dissenting re-
port on the minority side. ] had also con-
tempiated transferring you from that COM
mittee 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 10 reduce you and had nothing
personal in IL.
1T has been intimated to me- however.
tLot perhaps you W0Olu 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
a committee which you would decline to
take | want TO put you there thinking
II would be pleasant committee for you,
that you would be in accord with your
colleagues on 1t and that your services
on II 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 / must
hand the Speaker the list tomorrow night
Very truly yours.
(Sgned) JOHN s. WILLIAMS"
Mr.. Lamar's Protest.
The following is Mr.. Lamar's reply:
December 0. 1905
Hon. John s. Williams. city.
MY Dear Sir: I received your letter
rather late today. In It you offer me a
place on the foreign affairs committee in
the House of Representatives. My desire
Is 10 retain my position on the committee
on interstate and foreign commerce.
neither accept nor decline the position you
otrer me on the committee foreign af-
fairs. You have the power. You can do as
you please. But In view of your letter TO