The Washington herald., 1907-12-20

'-iS'4''Si[ll' dHu representative David a.
De Almond. Of Missouri, the Intellectual
heavy-weights. but the physical bantam
weights on the Democratic side OF the
House. engaged in fist fight on the floor
Of the chamber yesterday afternoon di-
rectly after the House had adjourned for
the day. The contest was with bare
knuckles, and was not according TO Mar
quis Of Queensbury rules. or any other
old rules, in fact.
First. there was a conversation. result
ing in a difference Of recollection. then
the lie was passed. aad. as was quite
natural one Of the participants being a
Southern gentleman. sir" there was an
exchange OF blows.
How many were struck. no one can
tell, but there were several, and when
the combatants were separated by their
colleagues. the minority leader was bleed
ing from q long cash under his left eye,
while blood oozed from the swollen ross
Of the dIgnihed member from Missouri.
Bout Was Spectacular.
The affair was entirely inpromptu. but
the bout could scarce have been more
spectacular, so far as surroundings go.
II il had been prearranged. Only two or
three minutes before the Speaker had de-
clared the House adjourned and left the
hall.
There were stiu on the floor. however,
a hundred or more members. newspaper
men, and clerks, and the galleries had
not yet cleared Of spectators. 8Ir. VII
l.ans. who occupies the not altogether
enviable. position of minority leader. was
seated near the center OF the Democratic
side Of House talking with Paul D.
Porter. /. Democratic pair clerk, when
Mr. De Almond went hack 70 continue
a conversation he had begun with him
a short time before regarding his recom-
meadation 10 the Speaker that Repre-
sentative Booher. q new Democratic mem-
ber from Missouri. should be placed on
the Committee on Coinage. Weights. and
Measures.
II appears from subsequent Develop
ments that Mr.. Booher had sought 20 be
assigned 70 the Committee on Census.
but that through some misunderstanding
Mr.. Williams. whom Speaker Cannon per-
mits TO make recommendation as to
where Democrats shall be assigned. had
recommended him for the Committee on
CoinGge. Weights, and Measures. Mr..
Williams, according 10 his statement, en-
tertained the opinion that Mr. De Ar
mond had told him that Mr. Booher
would be satisfied with that place. mas
much as it was one held by two OF his
predecessors. the late Representatives
Bland and Cochran.
Mr.. De Almond maintains that he made
no such statement 70 Mr.. Williams re-
gardlng Mr. Booher.
The conversation on the subject began
yesterday just before the adjournment.
After the gavel had fallen OIr. De Ar
mond sought out Mr.. Williams and il was
resumed. Mr.. De Almond insisted that
he had mace 70 Mr.. Williams only a gen.
eral suggestion regarding the committees
70 which he should recommend the Mis-
souri, members. Mr.. Williams declared
that while he might be mistaken. stiU il
was very clear in his mind that Mr..
De Almond had suggested that Nlr.
BoOher should go 10 the Coinage.
Weights. and Measures. Mr.. De Armond
reminded Mr.. Williams that he CWfI-
iamsl had had many conversations with
different members regarding committee
assignments, and that he had had only
one with him. and that therefore his (De
ArmOnd'S) recollection OF the matter was
more likely 10 be correct than Mr. Will
liams'.
Up 10 this point the conversation was
not such as 10 attract the attention even
Of those who were near them.
Mr. Williams persisted in his belief
and. saying the matter was no-g settled
and had better be dropped, he started 20
move away.
Imagination or Lie.
Williams. exclaimed Mr. De Almond,
curtly. you don't seem disposed to ac-
.cept a reasonable view Of the matter.
and. therefore. you force me to the other
view Of il. You either Imagined that
told YOU that, or you lied about it"
But, returned Mr.. Williams. accord
ing to the way the story IS told. this is
no place for us TO get into a controversy
like this; We'll go 70 committee room
10 discuss Il You know. De Almond.
that am not a man to imagine things or
10 get confused, and you don't mean that
I would lie about it, do yoU?~
NO" replied Mr. De Almond. 7 don't
think you imagined IT, or that you we're
confused about it. and I'm forced 10 think
you lied about IT,
Both men were upon their feet by this
time. and. to all appearances, they we're
perfectly calm. and their voices were
pitched only in a conversational tone.
But 0Ir. Williams did not wait to be called
a liar a third time Twice Mr.. De Ar
mond had passed the lie. and the Mis-
sissippians blood was by this time
aroused
Without another word. he struck the
MissOUrian a blow which landed squarely
on his nose, and sent him tumbling over
d chair. Then he struck again. Mr. De
Almond, recovering himself, struck back.
or. rather clawed. for his finger nails
went deep into Mr.. Williams face. and
left wounds and streams Of blood
Mr.. Porter caught Mr.. Williams and at
tempted TO restrain him. but despite the
fact that Porter is a much more sturdy
man. Mr.. Williams. who is quick and
wiry. struggled until he got In another
blow at his antagonist In the mean
time. Assistant SerEeant-at-Arms J. i.
SinnOtt seized Mr.. De Almond, while
Representative Kimball. OF Kentucky,
Continued on Pnre 3 Column 4