Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-23

wife of Harvey clark, VINO Is III Tic
employ of the Missouri Pacific Srailway
at Nevada. Mo.
Leader Among Democrats
in House of Representatives
The loss of Representative De Ar
mond will undoubtedly prove blow to
the radical element in the House Of
Representatives.
He was a radical of radicals, friend
and follower of Bryan, man without
idea or thought. or suggestion of COM
promise He held as aloof from the
conservative faction of his own party
as he did from the republican organ
ization He had the gift of f1uency OF
speech to a degree. While not eloquent
in the sense in which that term Is
generally used. he was sane, logical
and convincing speaker.
Par1iamentarian of Democrats.
Undoubtedly the foremost parliamenta-
rian on the democratic side. in his under
standing and exposition Of the rules ny
which the house was governed. he was
an unflinching opponent of the Reed-Can-
non rules and easily the most actively
antagonistic minority member the rules
committee ever had. He always COM
manded a respectful audience of republi-
cans as well as democrats when he rose
to his feet to discuss any subject.
Several times he was an unsuccessful
contender for the House Ieadership-the
loss of which may be set down to his
tongue, which at times scared friends AZ
well rs enemies. and to the peculiar IT,
nudity and diffidence of his disposition in
his personal relations with his colleagues
AS otherwise he was fearless and out
spoken.
His loss will be severely felt. officially
sas Welt as personally, by his colleagues
on the minority side.
While his intimate friends were not
the entire strength of the two parties on
both sides of the chamber.
David A. De Almond was born in
Blair county, Pa, March 1S, 1874 He
was brought up on farm in that state
and educated in the common schools
and at Williamsport Dickinson Semi
nary. After reaching maturity he To-
Gated at Butler. in Bates county, Mo-,
where he has since resided
In the Missouri Senate.
He was elected to the state senate in
1876 and served with great distinction
for one term. being recognized as the
leader Of that body. Later he was elect
ed circuit Judge and served for two
terms
He was a candidate at one time for
supreme judge. After a number of bal
lots he was defeated for nomination by
reason of the fact that there was an
other candidate in the same portion OF
the state who threw his strength to an
other man.
Mr.. De Almond was Missouris supreme
court commissioner for one term. His de-
cisions are regarded as the best ever
written in the history of the supreme
court of that state.
lie was elected to the Fifty-second Con-
gress after a bitter contest, in which
several parties participated. Since that
time he has never had opposition for the
nomination of his party, and has been
elected to every Congress up to and In
eiuding the present.
He served in Congress with great dis
tinction, and for a number of years was
regarded one Of the leaders OF the
minority He was a candidate for the
minority leadership at the time Repre-
sentative James D. Richardson OF
Tennessee was chosen. Since that time
he has given way to Representative
Champ Clark, his colleague, in the con-
test for leadership.
Friendly With Clark.
1t has been supposed that there was
some want of good feeling between him
and Mr. Clark but there is no founda-
ton for this charge. Mr.. De Almond
supported Mr. Clark with the greatest
cordiality and was exceedingly fond Of
him.
No man in Congress was truer to his
friends than Mr.. De Almond. None had
more personal concern for their welfare
And perhaps no man in Congress was
more misunderstood than he was Many
believed him to be cold, formal and in
different. But the truth was just the
opposite.
Ifo uas kind-hearted and amacfiono+.
but exceedingly timid. Timidity was the
cause of his apparent indifference.
1t was really strange combination,
for he was a man who was as timid
as a woman in some ways. but who. on
his feet, in debate was as bold as a
lion.
1t is said of Mr.. De Almond that his
diction was the purest Of any man in
Congress. and it is true that 1t was never
necessary to revise his remarks after he
had delivered them in the House, as no
change could improve them.
He was a lawyer by profession and
a strong advocate.
Mr.. De Almond had been married
about thirty-five years and had Ave
children. His daughter lived with him.
His oldest son was adjutant general Of
Missouri for four years and is now editor
OF the leading paper, at Butler. Mo.
Two of his boys are graduates of
West Point and in the military service
of the government at the present time.
The third boy is graduate of the
Naval Academy and Is now in the naval
service.
Encounter With Williams.
About two years ago De Almond had
a personal alteration with John Sharp
williams. which. through his colleague,
Mr. Lloyd, we are informed. he much re-
GREETED The trouble arose over the COM
mittee assignment OF Charles F. Booher,
a colleague Of Mr.. De Almond from Mis-
souri,.
Mr. Booher secured an assignment on
committees that did not suit him. and
against whiS1 he had protested. Mr.. VIII