The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-12
Democratic Leader Declines to Wash Party Linen in House
 of Representatives
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
 CAUSE IF THE TROUBLE
Representative Lamar of Florida, Aid ed by Payne of New York, Attempts to Discomfort MT. Williams-Mis-
 sissppian Squelches Both.

Washington, December u,-Mr. Will Hams, minority leader of the House, slapped on the lid" today just in time to prevent revelations in the nature of open criticism of the committee assign ments of certain of his colleagues for which he is responsible. MT. Payne, re- publican leader, naively suggested a way by which the revelations might be made, but MT. Williams assumed all responsi- bility and declined to allow the wash ing of democratic linen for the amusement of the republicans
 The incident followed the. announcement of committees. MT. Lamar of Florida sub mitted and had read newspaper clipping purporting to quote MT. Williams to the effect that MT. Lamar and MT. Shackel- ford of Missouri had been left off the interstate and foreign commerce commit tee because they had failed to follow the democratic caucus action of last session on the railroad rate bill. Speaker Cannon suggested that the statement read did not constitute question of personal priv ilege which entitled Mir Lamar to the floor.
 "The gentleman might proceed by unan- imous consent" suggested MT. Payne. How much time does he want-an hour?' Whereupon MT. Williams strode forward from his seat in the rear He hailed the speaker with word and gesture, and when he got his eye reserved his right to ob- ject only long enough to make the state ment that. in the interest of democratic harmony, effectiveness and of general
 .f1l, txvi11 ha by washing democratic linen for the amusement of the republicans of the House, I object"
 Immediately the situation became decld- edly interesting. MT. Lamar faced MT. Williams, who stood close to him, and charged him with taking the matter into the newspapers. Mr. Shackelford was on his feet vainly demanding to ask ques- ton, and many democrats applauded the stand taken by Mr. Williams. MT. Lamar demanded that MT. Williams call a demo- cratic caucus tomorrow or allow nm 10 proceed. Speaker Cannon wielded his gaVel vigorously and declared everybody out or order. and in the midst of the confusion recognized MT. Payne for motion to adjourn, which was declared carried ana the session was over until Wednesday.
 Before this incident, the session had pro- ceeded without a hitch. The unanimous consent necessary to increase the size of the larger committees had been given, and in this manner the increased member ship of the House and increased repub- Ucan representation had been provided committee places The democrats had lost no committee places, but had made gain of one; all of which MT. Williams had declared satisfactory to the minority. As an indication of the intention 10 pe- gin work at once, several of the commit tees gained permission to have printing done. and to sit during the sessions of the House. The session today lasted fifty five minutes.
 Lamar of Florida submitted a newspa- per clipping to the speaker and asked ruling as to whether he could be recog- nlzed on 1t as a question of personal priv ilege The paragraph was read to the House. It purported to quote the minority leader, MT. Williams. in explanation Of leaving Mir Lamar and MT. Shakelford of Missouri off the committee on interstate and foreign commerce, the reason being given that these two members had broken caucus faith at the last session in fa- voring the Hearst railroad rate bill in preference to the Davey bill, the latter caucus bill.
 .The chair is quite clear" Speaker Can non announced, that the paragraph read does not present a question of personal privilege
 MT. Lamar: 'I am in doubt about it myself, but I desire to estop and debar forever any suggestion that l did not bring the question upon the floor of the House."
 MT Payne, the republican leader, sug- rested that MT Lamar ask for unanimous consent to proceed.
 'I will ask it." responded MT Lamar. q would like square deal.
 MT Williams immediately interposeu.
 sPending that request and reserving the right to object" with emphasis on the word object" he declared loudly, I wish to say that in the interest of demo. cratic harmony and effectiveness ana or the general good will that will not be pro noted by washing democratic linen for the amusement of republican members or the House, I object'
 There was some democratic applause at this statement. MT. Lamar first asked Mir. Williams to withdraw his objection, and upon refusal by MT. Williams to do so, demanded that he call a democratic caucus for tomorrow.
 That is not a question for considera- ton here" retorted MT. Williams, who had stepped back up the aisle. and was standing beside MT. Lamar. each glarins into the face of the other.
 Speaker Cannon made a vigorous at tempt to call them to order and MT Shackelford was shouting for recognition that he might ask question. During the excitement MT. Lamar shouted:
 MT. Speaker. he went to the newspaper with It. and now he objects to its consid- eration here. But I have got it before the House and the House will understand it."
 At this point MT. Payne was recognized to move an adjournment which was has tilv taken the House having been in ses- sion an hour lacking five minutes The adjournment was until Wednesday.
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 Pilgrims at Mexico City.
 Mexico City, December 1f.-Great mum