The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-12-20
FIST FIGHT
AFTER HOUSE
ADJOURNED
Williams of Mississippi and De
Almond of Missouri Make
Holy Show of Themselves.
LIE PASSED AND THEN
THE TROUBLE STARTED
ORIGIN OF DIFFICULTY WAS
OVER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT
OF BOOKER OF MISSOURI

OF BOOKER OF MISSOURI.
Washington, Dec. 19.-John Sharp
Williams of Mississippi. leader of the mi
nority, and Representative David A. De
Almond OF Missouri engaged in a fist
fight over the passing of the lie on the
floor of the house of representatives
this afternoon Immediately after ad-
journment at 2:21 p m.
MIR. Williams struck the first blow,
and Mr.. De Almond. 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 cheek, and his
forehead was red and abrased. Mr..
De Almond 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 broken up,
groups of representatives were stand
ing or sitting about, discussing the
committee appointments that had been
announced by the speaker.
Fight Started Suddenly.
Among them were Mr. Williams, seat
ed at Representative Wallace's desk in
the center aisle of the Democratic side
and Mr.. De Almond who occupied Rep
resentative Bartletts desk adjoining.
They were engaged in very earnest talk,
but their voices were low. and they at
tracted no especial attention. Sudden
~ both men sprang to their feet and
began striking each other.
So startled were the members of the
house that for a moment no one offered
to interfere, and the leader of the mi
nOrity and the member from Missouri
lunged back and forward between the
desks, both sWaying wildly and each in
apparent danger of going down. Blood
was flowing freely from a cash i'm Mr..
Williams cheek when Assistant Ser
geant-at-Arms SinOtt sprang between
them, grasped Mr.. De Almond and held
him back while representatives and at
tendants, following suit, effected a sep
aratiOn.
Much Excitement.
In another moment every other sec
ton of the chamber was deserted. and
all those on the floor were massed in
an eager tiptoeing crowd around the
belligerents.
Don't get excited" painted Mr.. De
Almond, going at Williams and strug-
Cling to free his pinioned arms to
strike.
''Why. I am not excited in the least"
answered Mr.. Williams, who continued
dabbing with his handkerchief. Then
friends led them in opposite directions
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 after blow was
struck and returned, /and the combat
ants 1unged forward and swayed back
ward.
Statement of Mr.. Williams.
When Mr. Williams was released, he
went Immediately into a cloak room, !
and while removing the stain of the
combat made the following statement: |
The disagreement arose over a COM
mittee assignment. Mr.. De Almond
called me to task for recommending his
colleague. Mr.. Booker. to no more
Prominent committee than that on
Coinage, weights and measures. 7 re-
piled that ] had been given to under- !
stand by him that Mr.. Booker would !
be well satisfied with that assignment |
Mr.. De Almond answered to re eff |
feet that 1 could have gained such an
idea only by the operation of my mag
understand. l suggested to him that /
the floor Of the house was no place for I
a quarrel or a scene and asked him to /
desist His answer was that he had /
never had any such an understanding /
with me about Mr.. Booker as 7 had /
declared, and he added that my subse- /
uuent action was the result either OF
error or Of untruthfulness. 1 again sug- (
gested that the house was no place to 1
settle a personal difference of opinion. |
He retOrted that it was not a matter of
oDinfon. but of veracity and said that |
he did not believe I had merely made /
a mistake. I then struck him and we /
exchanged blows. 1t is most regret |
table that the floor should be selected !
for such an affair.
According to Mr.. De Almond, the ep-
isOde arose over the correctness of a /
conversation between himself and Mr.. |
Williams about ten days ago regard /
ing the committee assignments of some 1
Missouri members. and particularly Of |
Mr. Booker. Mr.. De Almond said he /
had spoken highly of Mr.. Booker and /
TO the other members as being cOmpe- /
tent to sit on any committee, but that |
he had not specified to Mr.. Williams |
any special committee on which he I
wished TO have Mr.. Booker or any 9TH !
er member placed This. Mr.. De Ar /
rnond said. Mr.. Williams today denied /
saving IL was a matter of recollection !
between them. Upon Mr.. De Almond /
Insisting that he had not specified any /
committee to which he desired to have |
his colleague assigned, Mr.. Williams. !
he said. brusquely replied that ii was
simply a matter of recollection between 1
the two.
HE said this" said Mr.. De Almond /
Sin such a way as to leave no other in
ference than the one I suggested, and /
I told him I believed him to be liar.
He thereupon struck me, and ! think
gave him as good as he gave. The next
thing we/were separated.
while Mr.. Williams for the last five
Continued on Page 2.