Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-12-20
SPILLED
ONFLOOROF
HOUSE
WILLIAMS AND DeARM0ND
IN LIVELY ENCOUNTER
Democrats Dispute Over Com
-mittee Assignment and
MiSsiSSippian Gets Worst of
Fight Which Follows.

/ lBy Morning journal Special Leased Wirel
Washington. Dec. 19.--John Sharp
Williams, Of Mississippi. leader of the
minority. and Representative David
lDeArmond, Of Missouri. engaged in
| fist fight over the passing of the lie
on the floor OF the house of repre-
sentatives this afternoon Immediately
after adjOurnment a. s.2I p. ~.
Mr. Williams struck the first blow
and Mr. DeATmond retaliated vigor-
ously with clenched fists. When the
combatants were separated blood was
flowing down Mr.. Williams face from
a small cash in the left check, and
his forehead was red. Mr.. DeArmond
bore no mark Of the fray.
The encounter was witnessed by
more than 100 members Of the house
and by as many more persons in the
galleries, among them a score OF
women. The house having just brok-
en- up, groups of representatives, were
standing or sitting about, discussing
the committee appointments that had
been announced by the speaker.
Among them were Mr.. Williams
seated at Representative Wallace's
desk on the center aisle Of the demo-
cratic side. and MIR. De Almond, who
occupied Representative Bartletts
desk adjoining. They were engaged
in very earnest talk, but their voices
We're low and they attracted no spe-
cial attention. Suddenly both men
sprang 10 their feet and began strik-
ing each other
So startled and so astounded were
the members of the house and the Of
ficias that for a moment no one Of
fered to interfere. and the leader of
the minority and the member from
Missouri lunged back and forth be-
tween the desks, both swinging Wild
lily and each In apparent danger OF
going down. Blood was flowing free
ly from a cash In MI Williams cheek
when Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms 81
I mott sprang between them, grasped
Mr. DeArmond and held him back,
while representatives and attendants
following suit effected a separation.
In another moment every other sec
ton OF the chamber was deserted and
an those on the floor were massed in
an eager tip-toeing crowd around the
belligerents.
Don't get excited" painted Mr. De-
Almond. glaring at Mr Williams and
straining to free his pinioned arms (
and trying TO strike.
why / am not excited in the
least" answered Mr.. Williams, wip-
ing the blood from his face with his
handkerchief
For a moment longer Mr.. Dear
mond elared and Mr. Williams con-
tinued dabbing with his handkerchief.
Then friends led them in opposite di-
rections While the battle lasted the
excited spectators In the galleries
pressed against the rails. Men and
women. leaned far over, apparently
holding their breath as blow atter
blow was struck and returned, ana
then the combatants lunged forward
and swayed back.
When Mr.. Williams was released he
went Immediately into a cloak room.
and while removing the stain OF the
combat made the following sta-'-
ment.
THE disagreement over a commit
tee assignment. Mr.. DeArmond cali
ed me to task for recommending ms
colleague. Mr.. Boeher. to no more
prominent committee than that on
coinage. weights and measures. rr-
piled that ] had been given to under
I stand by him that Mr Boeher woul1
( be well satisfied with that ass gil
ment.
MIR. DeArmond answered to the
effect that / could have gained such
( an idea only by the operation or my
Imagination or by a delibe' ate wish
/ TO misunderstood. / suggested TO hiri
/ that the floor OF the house wa
Mace for a quarrel or a scene, ara
asked him to desist His answer was
1 mat he had never had any su IN an
] understanding with me about ar
Boeher. as l had declared, AM nc
added that my subsequent action was
I the result either Of error o. untruth-
fulurss. / again suggested that tho
ihouse was no place 10 settle per-
sonal difference Of opinion. he 2
ltorted that IL was not a matter or
opinion. but Of veracity AMI said that
he did not believe | had me 'clT maze
a mistake. / then struck him az 1
we exchanged blows IL Is most re-
grettable that the floor should be Sc
iiected for such an affair
/ According to Mr.. DeArmond, ihe
lepisode arose over the correctness -
a conversation between himself ana
( Mr. williams about ten days ago re-
learding the committee assignments OF
some Missouri members. and paruc-
iularly Of Mr. Boeher. Mr.. DeArmond
tsaid he had spoken highly Of NJ.
Boeher. and to the members as being
lcompetent 20 sit on any committee
hut that he had not specified 10 Mr..
| Williams any special committee On
which ne would like 10 have Mr.. Boo
her or any other member plaeeu-
This. Mr. DeArmond said. Mr Will
liams today denied, saving u was
matter Of recollection between them.
iI-pon Mr.. DeArmoud insisting that ne
had not specified any committee 10
which he desired 90 have his '.'-
Leagues assigned. Mr. Williams. he
sid. replied that BE- was simply
matter 81 recollection between The
ItRn.
-He said it, said Mr. DeArnond.
"fr such a way as 10 leave no other
Inference than the one I Suggested.
and I told him ] believed him 90 be .
Liar he thereupon struck me. ana
think I gave him as good as he
gave me.
'-rhe next thing We we're sep2-
rated
Reading Dividend Declared.
i phuaaefnhfa Dec IS-The Read