Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-20
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and measures. I replied that had been
given TO understand oy Rep. Lloyd of
Missouri that Booker would be well
satisfied with that assignment. De-
Almond answered to the effect that
could have gained such an idea
only by the operation Of my imagination
or by a deliberate wish to misunderstood.
Il suggested to him that the floor of
the House was no place for q quarrel or
scene, and asked him to desist. His an
swer was that he had never had any
such understanding with me about Mr..
Booher as I had declared, and lie added
that my subsequent action was the result
either of error or untruthfulness. / again
suggested that the House was 10 place
to settle personal differences of opinion.
He retorted that it was not 4 matter Of
opinion but OF veracity. and said that he
did not believe had merely made a mis-
take. 1 then struck him and we ex-
changed blows. 1t is most reGrettable
that the floor should be selected for 50 un-
pleasant an affair"
According to Mr.. DeArmonds version
the episode arose over the question Of the
correctness of conversation between
himself and Mr.. Williams about 10 days
ago regarding the committee assignments
Of some Missouri members. and particu-
larry of Mr.. Booher. Mr. DeA1nond said
he had spoken highly Of Mr. Booher and
the other members as being competent to
sit on any committee. bnt that he had
not specified TO Mr.. Williams any special
committee on Which he would like to have
Mr.. Booher or any other member placed.
Ar. De-lrl,Iond said Nlr. Williams denied,
SAYING it was Il matter of recollection be-
tween them. Upon Mr.. Diamonds in
sisting that lie had not specified amy con-
mittce ol committees To which lie desired
to have his colleagues assigned. MIR. VII
liams. he said. brusquely repeated that it
was siupIy Il matter Of recollection be-
tween the two.
HE said this" said Mr.. DGArmond.
''in such a way as to leave no further in
ference than the one ] suggested, and
told him believed him to be :iar lie
thcrcupon struck me and think 1 gave
him as good. The next thing someone
caught my arm and We were separated"
The statements of the two men i'm
mediateiy concerned constitute the sole
account Of the discussion preliminary
to the encounter. as only fragments OF
* were overheard by one or two mcm-
bers nearby at the time. Mr. Williams
blow was the first sign of belliserency
and while he frankly confessed that he
was the physical aggress"r there is
testimony that he forebore MIR. Dear
mord's words to Il length and sought
first to drop the disagreement and then
to carry the dispute to some less pub
lie place; that he made no hostile move
until his, Yaracity had been fatty queS-
toned.
While Mr.. Williams has for the last
five years held the place of minority
leader, an element among the Demo-
Gratis has favored Mr.. DeArniond for
that position. There has been more or
less rivalry between them. but it has
been more marked between their fol-
lowers than themselves.
In thir personal relations they have
been generally friendly to outward APP
pea"anCeS. The fact that Mr.. Will
lams' recent election to the Senate to
succeed Mr. Money in 1909 will make
this the Mississippian's last term in
the House has encouraged friends Of
the Missouri representative to believe
that he will succeed the Democratic
leader in that body. The position gen
orally goes with the first Democratic
assignment to the ways and means
and Mr.. DeArmcnd's friends
find some cause for criticising the
course Of Mr. William in retiring from
that committee on the eve of leaving
the House and putting III the place va
Gated Champ Clark of Missouri, Mr.
De Almonds colleague