National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-20
CONGRESS YESTERDAY

The House yesterday resumed the con-
sideration of the bill which partially restores
the franking privilege. The participants in
the debate being personally interested, it
was not matter of surprise to witness
spirited controversies that at times approx
mated to violence. Mr.. Kasson addressed
the House at considerable length, taking
grounds against the revival of the ''privil-
ege," as it is termed. His former connec-
ton with the Post Office Department ena-
bled him to elaborate his views on the SUBJ
ject, and also secured him the undivided
attention of the House. Toward the close
of his speech many members propounded
questions intended to overcome the posi-
tons assumed in argument, but although
they came thick and fast, the attempt was
without result. With the intention, proba-
bly,, of lending dramatic effect to the ad-
dress, Mr.. Kasson placed on his desk sew
eral baskets filed with petitions asking the
repeal Of the law giving members the frank
ing privilege. This provoked numerous
sallies from the friends of restricted priv
ilege, many claiming that no section abso-
lutely desired the total annihilation of the
law, and that the petition cmanated from
the Postmaster General, who sent out the
printed form so numcrously signed through
out the country. And again, the motives
of Mr.. Kasson in opposing q revival of the
repealed law were impugned. This latter
method of argument is common feature
In the House, the opinion seeming up
permost that every individual is speak
ing and asking for popular applause
and nos following the just dictates
of conscience. Although it may effect
revulsion in the prevailing sentiment of the
House, the imprisoned Judgment after
mature thought can only be that the second
or consequent subterfuge b more open to
exposure and less worthy Of commentator.
While the discussion was at Its height an
incident occurred that marred the days
proceedings, and one TOO that was . unpro-
voked as It was unwarranted. A general
conversational debate on the pending bill
having arisen, Mr.. Grassland, Of Kentucky,
became incensed at some remarks made by
his colleague, Mr.. Beck, and, without due
consideration of his position, opened fu-
rious wordy battle. in which he was the
single participant and his colleague the
target st which bis .Aot were leveled
Advancing into the aisle until he Stood I'm
mediately over Mr.. Beck, he gesticuhted
violently and fairly yelled out his express
sions Of anger. Meanwhile the Speaker
pounded on the tsbls with the gAvel until
naught could be heard but the violent raps
and. the violent voice. Little Of the Ian
guage used could b heard, but an occa-
sional word OF sentencs caught in the ex-
element indicated . speech unworthy the
Legislative hAllS. While this unexpected
episode was trsnspirinG Mr.. Beck main
tained . digni6sd silence, mot Cor IN instant
fOrgetfhl Of The position be occupied or the
conduct expected from hime The ssk-coa-
troll exhibited during this stnnge and un-
callsd-for assault was the subject Of hand
some comment particularly when Mr.. Beck
b OF known excinbls temperament The
scene" only lasted . few moments. Nr.
Grassland being compelled TO subside, the