The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-12-24


m<ndin" his colleague. Mr.. Booher,
10 no more prominent committee
than on coinage, weights and meas
ures. I replied that [ had been CIV
en- to understand by Congressman
Llovd Of Missouri that Mr.. Booher
would be we'll satisfied with that as
siynment. Mr.. DeArmond answered
to the effect that I could have gain
ed such an idea only by the opera
/ ton Of my imagination, or by dellb-
crate wish to misunderstood. l sug-
yested to him that the floor Of the
house was no place for quarrel or
scene. and asked him to desist. His
answer was that ne had never had
anv such understanding with me
about Mr.. Booher as I had declared,
and he added that my subsequent ac-
ton was the result either Of error or
of untvuthfulnesS. I again suggest
! ell tnat the house was 10 place to
settle a personal difference Of opln-
ion. He retorted that it was not a
matter Of opinion, but Of veraclty,
and said that he did not believe l
had merely made a mistake. I then
struck him, and We exchanged blows.
It is most reyrettable that the floor
should be selected for so unpleasant
an affair"
Mr.. DeArmond's Version.
Mr.. DeArmond remained in the
house for some time after the en-
counter and then left the chamber,
but he subsequently returned aid
then made a statement Of the cir
cumstances leading up to the affair
from his point Of view. According to
Mr.. DeAmond's version the episode
arose over the question Of the cor
rectnass of a conversation between
himself and Mr.. Williams about ten
DAYS AGO regarding the committee as
sionments of some Missouri members
and particularly Of Mr.. Booher Mr..
DeArmond said he had spoken highly
Of Mr.. Booher and tle other members
as being competent to sit on any COM
mittee, but that he had not specified
to Mr.. Williams any special commit
tee On which he would like 10 have
Mr.. Booher or any other member
placed. This. Mr.. DeArmond said
Mr.. Williams today denied, saying 1t
was matter of recollection between
them. Upon Mr.. DeArmond's IL
sisting that he had not specified any
committee or committees to which
he desired to have his colleagues as
signed. Mr.. Williams, he said,
brusquely repeated that it was sim
plv a matter of recollection between
the two. "He said this" said Mr..
DeArmond, Gin such a way as to
leave no other inference than the one
I suggested, aud I told him [ bellev-
ed him to be a liar. He thereupon
struck me and I think I gave MIN as
GOOD. The next thing some one caught
nv arm and we were separated"
Other Testimony.
The statements Of the two men I'M
mediately concerned constitute the
Sole account Of the discussion pre-
liminary to the encounter. as only
FRAGMENTS of it were overheard by
one or two members nearby at the
time. Mr.. Williams blow was the
first sign Of belligerency and while
he frankly confessed that he was the
rhv::cal aegressor there is testimony
that ne forebore Mr.. DeArmond>s
words to a length and sought first to
drop the disagreement and then to
carry the dispute to some less pubic
place; that he made no hostile move
until his veracity mad been tlatly
questioned.
While Mr.. Williams has for the
last five years held the place OF mil
oritv leader, considerable element
among Democratic members has taV-
ored Mr.. DeArmond for the position.
; Resultartly there has been more or
less rivalry between them, but the
signs of it have been more marked K
among their following than IN the
man themselves. In their personal
relations they have been generally
friendly at least, to outward appear
ance. The fact. that Mr.. Williams
recent election to the senate to sue
ceed Mr.. Money in 1909 will make
this the Mississipian's last term. IN
the house, has encouraged friends OF
the Missouri representative to believe
tbat h,a vould succeed to the Demo-