The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-24
The Pass Between Messrs. Plat, Of
Virginia, and FarnswOrth. of Ill.
IinOiS,


The Pass Between Messrs. Plat, Of
IinOis.
We give below correct version, taken
from the Congressional Globe, of the
pass between Mr.. Platt, of this state, and
Mr.. Farnsworth, of Illinois, in the House
of Representatives, Friday last, when the
miscellaneous appropriation bill was under
discussion. Mr.. Farnsworth had the floor,
and occupies seat directly in rear Of Mr..
Platt, but some distance back. The gen.
tleman from Illinois was remarking-
Gentlemen claim that it is very nice
thing for the government to build large
marble building. One gentleman said to
me while ago that the people did not lose
the money so expended, for it came back
to them in wages to workmen. Not so
have letters in my desk from workmen
who complain that instead of getting their
wages for their labor out of the appropria-
tons made by us, the money is wasted
upon favorites here.
Mr.. Plat May ask question?
Mr.. arnsworth-Of course, every man
who is in a ring, whether of contracts or of
granite, is in favor of these appropriations.
tilC udtliIlleI lcll.
Mr.. Platt-l want to say word in re-
ply to the last remark of the gentleman.
say, having in view the due responsibility
for every word that use, that if the gen.
tleman from Illinois [Mr. Farnswoithl de-
sires to charge or insinuate that | am in
any way connected W tn any ring or con-
tract, he insinuates what is false, and he
lies when he makes any such statement.
The Chairman--The gentleman from
Virginia mir. Platt] is out of order.
Mr.. Platt-I arose in all courtesy
Mr.. Holman-I ask that the words of
the gentleman from Virginia be taken down
in writing and read from the clerks desk.
Mr.. Platt-Let them be taken down, and
let the gentleman hold me responsible for
them where he pleases.
The words were written down by one of
the reporters of The Globe, and read by the
clerk as follows:
II say, having in view the due response
bility for every word that use, that if the
gentleman from Illinois desires to charge or
nsinuate that am in any way connected
with any ring or contract, he insnuates
what is false, and he lies when he makes
any such statement"
Mr.. Platt-I do not take anything back
that I have said. | only ask that what
preceded that remark be also taken down.
Mr.. Holman-I call the gentleman to
order. The language he has used is out of
order, and highly censurable.
Mr.. Hoar- Certainly the gentleman
from Virginia Mr. Platl has the right to
have taken down that to which he replied,
to be considered in connection with what
he himself has said.
Mr.. Dawes-How can anything that is
out of order justify reply that is out Of
order?
Mr.. Eldridge--T raise the point of order
that this question cannot be considered in
committee, but that the chairman must
report it to the House.
Mr.. Randall-That is correct.
The Chairman-That is the question the
Chair is now considering. The Chair over
rules the point Of order suggested by the
gentleman from Massachusetts. Mr.. Hoar. !
The Chair further rules that the language
of the gentleman from Virginia [Nlr. Patti
is not parliamentary.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio-I hope we shall
now proceed with the bill. That is par
liamentary.
Mr.. Eldridge Il would like to ask
whether the language, though unparlia-
mentary, was not very ''pungent." Laugh
teri
The Chairman-That is not a question
for the chair to determine.
Mr.. Eldridge-I insist upon the point of
order which raised before, that the Ian
guage Of the gentleman from Virginia hay-
inn faH fn nd tbn aho, H.,
ruled it out of order, the question should
be reported to the house for its 8cton.
The Chairman-Has the gentleman from
Wisconsin [Mr. Eldridgel any motion to
submit on the subject ?
Mr.. Farnsworth-I hope l may be al
lowed to 60 on. With regard to this little
furry, wish to say that | did not really
refer to the gentleman from Virginia at ali.
| did not know he was on his feet; | did
not notice he was here at the time. | did
not make garment for him. made a
garment for larger man to wear lift fitted
him. made random shot if it hit any
body cannot help it.. But | confess
was surprised to see the gentleman from
Virginia making such futter for did
not aim at that bird at all. [Laush ter.l
Mr.. Platt-l cannot permit the remarks
of the gentleman from Illinois to pass with
out saying something myself. | will say
in extenuation of the language | used that
when the gentleman was closing his re-
marks rose in my place directly in front
of him and though | am aware that am
small in stature, | certainly thought that
when | addressed myself directly to the
gentleman and stood so near him. he ought
to have heard me. rose to my feet and
addressed the chair. as the parliamentary
rule requires but Immediately atterward
| turned to the gentleman from Illinois and
asked him whether he would permit me to
put to him a question, and he imme-
diately responded in the words to which l
took exception. He was certainly looking