The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-12-20
REPRESENTATIVES, WILLIAMS
AND De ARMoND COME 70
BLOWS IN ARGUMENT.
LIE WAS PASSED
Failure Of Democratic Leader to Give
Colleague Of Missouri Congressman
Better Appointment on Committees
in House Causes Trouble-Williams
Gets the Worst of 1t.

Gets the Worst of 1t.
Washington, Dec. 19.-John Sharp
Williams Of Mississippi, leader Of the
minority, and Representative David
A. De Almond Of Missouri engaged IN
fist fight over the passage of a lie
on the floor Of the house this after
noon, Immediately after adjournment
at 2:20 p. m.
Mr.. Williams struck the first bl,w
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 also a5razed.
Mr.. De Almond bore no marks Of the
fray The encounter was witnessed
by more than 100 members of the
house and by as many 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 which had
been announced by the speaker.
Among the democrats, Mr. Williams
was seated at Representative Walkers
desk in the center aisle Of the demo
cratic side, and Mr.. De Almond occu-
pied Representative Bartlett's desk ad-
Joining. They were engaged in very
earnest talk, but their voices we're
low and they attracted no special at
tention Suddenly both men sprang to
their feet and began striking each
other.
Combatants Separated.
So startled were the members of the
house that for a moment no one Of
fered to interfere, and the leader Of
the minority and the member from
Missouri 1unged back and forth be
tween the desks, both swaying wildly
and each in apparent danger of going
down. Blood was flowing freely from
a cash in Mr.. Williams cheek when
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms sinott
sprang between them, grasping Mr. De
Almond and holding him back, while
representatives and attendants fol-
lowed suit with Mr. Williams and ef-
fected a separation.
In another moment every other sec
tion of the chamber was deserted, and
all those on the floor were massed In
an eager, tip-toe. interested crowd
around the belligerents.
Don't get excited" painted De Ar
mond, going at Williams and strug-
Cling to free his pinioned arms to
strike.
.'Why, am not excited in the
least" answered Williams, who con-
tinued dabbling with his handker-
chief. Then friends led the men 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 lunged forward and sWayed
back.
Cause OF the Trouble.
When Mr.. Williams was released ne
went Immediately into a cloak room,
and while. removing the stains of the
combat made the following statement:
"The disagreement arose over
committee assignment. Mr.. De AT
mond called me to task for recon-
mending his colleague, Mr.. Booher, to
no more prominent committee than
that on coinage, weights and meas
ures. replied that had been given
to understand that Mr. Booher would
be well satisfied with that assignment
"Mr. De Almond answered to the
effect that could have gained such
an idea only by the operation o. my
Imagination or by a deliberate wish
to misunderstood. suggested to him
that the floor of the house was no
place for quarrel and scene, and
asked him to desist. His answer was
that he had, never had any such an
understanding with me about Mr.
Booher as had declared, and he add
ed that my subsequent action was the
result either OF error or untruthful-
ness. again suggested that the
Continued on Eighth Pagel