Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-20
BLOWS EXCHANGED.


rivalry which for five years has alter
nateu smoldered and blazed between
John Sharp Williams OF Mississippi,
leader Of the minority, and David A.
DeArmond of Missouri, leader OF tho
minority opposition, eliminated in fist
fight today on the floor of the House
of Representative The blows OF Rep.
De Almond caused blood to flow down
the face of Rep. Williams and only
the fOrcble Intervention Of friends cut
tho combat short. Mr.. De.Armond bore
away marked nose.
The Immediate cause Of tho fight was
Mr.. DcArmond'S charging AIR. Williams
with urtruthfuness resulting from 4
complaint by the former tina; tnc min
GRITTY leader broke faith with him in
'RuryinG" Rep. Booher of Missouri by
recommending his assignment by
Speaker Cannon to the committee on
coinaG". We lights and measures. Ac-
cording to the statements of the prIn-
cipals Mr. Williams defended his ac-
ton Nv declaring he had been told by
Mr.. Eoohcr's colleague. Rep. Lloyd Of
Missouri. that the committee assign
ment would he satisfactory to Mr.
Booher. Mr.. DeArmond hluntiy cues
toned tho statement AMI after failing
to have the controversy shifted q
Somewhere else than the House. Mr..
Williams struck Mr.. DeArmond q blow
in the face with his clenched fist.
'Fhe exciting incident will not be set
down IN the Official records Of the Goth
Congress. for the House had been all
iournetl some minutes when tie first
blow was struck. But there was no
lack Of witnesses. The organization Of
the House had been completed by The
announcement Of tho Speakers assign
mentS Of members to committees the
Republican committeeman having been
selected by the Speaker and the Demo-
cratic members by Mr.. Williams.
Groups of representatives We're scatter
ed over the floor discussing the APP
nOintments. tho possible causes behind
them. and the possible effects to follow.
In the galleries lOitered many viewing
the aftermath of the meeting of the
session.
Mr.. Williams resting from the long
strain of alloting preferment among his
167 fellow Democrats whose minority
strength he officially leads. was seated
at ease at the desk of Rep. Wallace of
Arkansas in the center aisle on the
Democratic side Of the House. Mr.. De-
Almond approached. greeted him and
took the adjoining seat At once they
engaged each other in earnest talk.
but they pitched their voices so low
that afterward only one or two men,
bers who We're very close to them could
recall anything they said. They had
been thus in conversation no longer
I,nt
to their feet, showing their chairs back.
and the gentleman from Mississippi
struck the gentleman from Missouri a
glancing blow on the nose.
Some representatives cried out:
Look, look at the fight
Everybody looked. but SO startled
were they by what they saw that no
one seemed to think for the moment OF
rushing forward and stopping it. Mean
time Mr. Williams and Mr.. DeArmond.
wedged between two rows of desks.
were still at fsticuffs. Blood was flow
ing from the face Of the leader of the
minority, while Mr.. DeArmond was
| endeavoring to grasp his opponent by
| the throat and vigorously returning
! blow for blow.
Then everybody awolle to the char
! aCter OF the scene ana crowded Ill anu
, made an end of it. Mr.. DeArmond
was seized and his arms pinioned. Mr..
| Williams was pushed back against a
| desk and laced about with deterrent
arms. Thus restrained he gave up his
aggressive attitude; but his adversary
| struggled in the embrace of his friend
| " captors and tried to lash out. Then
| Mr. DeArmond interrogated Mr. Will
| liams as to what he was about.
Mr.. Williams. smiling although tears
of modification stood in his eyes. de-
MED that he was excited and took out 4
handkerchief To Stanch the flow of
| blood from a cut in his cheek. Present.
" Mr. Williams was led about in one
direction and Mr.. DeArmond in another
| direction and both We're released.
When Mr.. Williams was released he
went into the Democratic cloak room ct
the rear Of the chamber and, while re-
moving the stains OF the combat. made
the following statement of the trouble:
The disagreement arose over q COM
n1ittee assignment. Mr.. DeArmond called
me to book for recommending his col
league. Mr. Enoher. 10 no more prominent
committee than that on coinage. weights
| Continued on Page Twe!ve)