Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-12-12
WILLIAMS AND LAMAR HAVE CLASH.
Senate Witnesses Spirited Debate
on Railroad Rate and Panama
Canal BilIS===COmmitteeS.

Washington, Dec. 11.-Mr. Williams.
the minority leader of the House,
"stepped on the lid," today, just In
time To prevent revelations in the ma
lure Of open criticism of the committee
assignments of certain of his colleagues
fer which he is responsible Mr.. Payne,
the Republican leader, naively suggest
ed q way by which the revelation might
be made, but Mr.. Williams assumed all
responsibility and declined TO allow
the washing of Democratic linen for
the amusement of the Republicans"
The incident followed the announce
Inent of committees. Mr.. Lamar of
Florida. submitted and had read
newspaper clipping purpOrting to quote
Mr. Williams to the effect that Mr.. La
mar and Mr.. ShackelfOrd, Mo-, had
been left off the interstate and foreign
commerce committee because they had
fail,d To follow the Democratic caucus
action Of last session on the railroad
rate bill. Speaker Cannon suggested
that the statement read did not conSti-
tut" IA question Of personal privilege
which entitled Mr.. Lamar to the floor.
THE gentleman might proceed by
unanimous consent" suggested Mr..
Iayne. How much time does he want
an hour?" 1t was here that Mr.. Will
hams strobe forward from his seat in
the rear He hailed the Speaker with
word ANA gesture and when he got his
eye he reserved his right to object only
long enough tC make the statement
that in the interest of Democratic 'har-
m"ny effectiveness and of general good
viii which will not be promoted by
washing Democratic linen for the
amusement Of the Republicans of the
House | object"
Immediately the situation became de-
CdrdlS interesting. Mr.. Lamar faced
Nj Williams, who stood close 10 him
and "nargcd him with taking the mat
ter into the newspapers. Many Demo-
Gratis aprlauded the stand taken by Mr..
Williams. Mr.. Lamar demanded that
Mr.. Williams call = Democratic eau
Gus. tomorrow, or allow him to pro-
cctd. Speaker Cannon welded his
g..vtl vigorously and declared every
body out of order and in the midst of
the confusion recognized Mr.. Payne for
motion to adjourn which was de-
ciarrd carried and the session was
over until Wednesday.
Before this incident, the session had
pr '"ceGcd without a hitch. The unan-
in."Us consent necessary to increase he
.ihc Of the larger committees had been
given. and in this manner tn" increased
membership Of the House and increased
Republican repre- sentation had been
provided with committee places. The
Democrats lost no committee places,
htt -. .Nr ,,-b; \
liams declared satisfactory to the mi
n"rty. A. an indication of the intention
I" begin work ut once. several of the
committees gained permission to have
printing done and to sit during the ses-
si"ms of the House The session, today,
lasted 30 minutes.
As notice had been given that the an
n"uncement of committees was to be
made in the House. today, = large attend
ance of members was present at the hour
OF convening
lively tilt occurred in the House just
before adjournment, today between La
i';tr, Fla. and the minority leader. Will
lH'mS, regarding committee assignments.
Lamar sought To discuss the matter. but
VILLAINS objected in the interest If DEM
''fatic harmony and good will. He was
~ once challenged to call a Democratic
caucus fer tomorrow but declined to COM
mt himself on the ground that the House
was no place for Democrats to wash
'h'ir linen for the amusement of Repub-
means. Lamar was taken off the COM
''i'''c on Interstate and foreign COM
merce.
b'izell presented n resolution amending
the rulcs by increa sing hy one member