The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1905-12-15
AND
WILLIAMS.
He and SbaCKlefOrd Omitted from In.
terstate and F. c. Committee.

ne anu > uoChleIOIu Otnltteu LEOm AuS
terState and F. c. Committee.
Mr.. Williams, the minority leader of
the House, stepped on the lid, ON
Dec. 10th, just in time to prevent reve-
Citations in the nature of open criticism
of the committee assignments of GER
tain of his colleagues for which he is
responsible. Mr. Payne, the Republi-
can leader, naively suggested way by
which the revelations might be made,
but Mr.. Williams assumed all response
bility and declined to allow the wash
ing of Democratic linen for the amuse-
ment of Republicans.
The incident followed the announce
ment of committees. Mr.. Lamar of
Florida, submitted and read news
paper clipping purporting to quote Mr..
Williams to the effect that Mr.. Lamar
and Mr. Shackleford MOI had been
left Oft the interstate and foreign COM
merce committee because they had fail
ed to follow the Democratic caucus ac-
ton Of last session on the railroad rate
BILL Speaker Cannon suggested that
the statement read did not constitute o..
question Of personal privilege which
entitled Mr.. Lamar to the floor.
The gentleman might proc 5ed by
unanimous CONSENT suggested Mr..
Payne. How much time does he
want an hour"
1t was here that Mr.. Williams strobe
forward from his seat in the rear He
hailed the speaker with words and ges-
ture and when he got his eye he reserv-
ed his right to object only long enough
TO make the statement that in the in
terest of Democratic harmony, effect
iveness and of general good will, which
will not be promoted by washing Demo-
cratic linen for the amusement of Re-
publicans Of the House, object"
Immediately the situation became de-
cidedly interesting. Mr., Lamar faced
Mr.. Williams, who stood close to him,
and charged him with taking the mat
ter into the newspapers. Mr.. Shackle-
ford was on his feet, vainly demanding
to ask a question, and many Democrats
applauded the stand taken by Mr.. Will
liams. Mr.. Lamar demanded that Mr..
Williams call a Democratic caucus to-
morrow, or allow him TO proceed
Speaker Cannon welded his gavel
vigorously and declared everybody out
of order, and in the midst Of the confu-
sion recognized Mr.. Payne for a motion
to adjourn, which was declared carried
and the session was over until Wednes-
day.
During the confusion Mr.. Lamar
shouted: "Mr Speaker, he went to the
newspapers with It, and now he objects
to consideration here. But / have IL
before the House and the House will
understand it."
Before this incident the session had
proceeded without a hitch. The unani-
nous consent necessary to increase the
size Of the larger committees had been
given and in this manner the increased
membership Of the House and increas-
ing Republican representation had been
provided with COMMITTEES places. The
Democrats had lost no committee pla-
ces, but had made gain Of one, AL Of
which Mr.. Williams had declared salts
factory to the minority. As an indica-
ton Of the intention 10 begin work, at
once, several Of the committees gained
permission TO have printing done and TO
sit during the sessions of the House.
The session to-day lasted ffty.hve min
/ tttaa