The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-06-01
Sharp Words.

COnger, a blatant kaulcal OF Mlcn'
igan, charged Mr.. Goode of Virginia
with want of honor in breaking his
pair, whercupon Goode retorted on
Conger "that he was the custodian of
his own honor, and if he (Conger)
dared impngn it, he (Goode) wonld
hold him (Conger) personally respon-
sible'" The following is the result of
those sharp words:
Mr.. Hale demanded that Mr.. Goode's
remarks be taken down, and ruled on
by the Chair, remarking that it was
high time that a precedent should be
established as to what was proper to
be said in the debate.
Mr.. Harris, of Virginia, said the
first offense had come from the gen
tleman from Michigan.
Mr.. Tucker demanded that Mr..
Couger's remarks be also taken down,
and ruled on by the Chair.
Mr.. McCook. Would it be in order
to have a Select Committee of eleven
to investigate matter
The Speaker The Chair thinks that
such committee could do it as we'll
as the Chair. The colloquy between
Messrs. Copger and Goode having
been written out by the official re-
porter, and read by the clerk, the
Speaker said: The Chair decides
that the oi1ense and provocation came
first from the gentleman from Mich
igan, triumphant applause on the
Democratic side and corresponding
demonstrations of dissent from the
Republican side) and that you might
as we'll expect a child not to hollow
when it is struck as to expect a gen.
tlemau not to resent an offensive ex-
preston. [Renewed expressions from
the Republican side, met by Kisses
on the Democratic side.
Mr.. Hale. Does the Chair hold
that the worlds used by the gentle
man from Virginia are parliamentary 7
l do think that the Chair should rule
what might be expected, but whether
the words are parliamentary. [Shouts
of "Order" on the Democratic side.
The Speaker the Chair thinks that
the words of the gentleman from
Michigan (Conger) were not parlia-
mentary if they were used in an Of
fensive sense. A mans honor can
not be called 10 question without al
lowing him to defend his honor. Mr.,
Hale PERSISTED amidst constant shouts
for order on the Democratic side, to
press the Speaker for a decision as to
whether Mr.. Goodies remarks were
parliamentary, but the most direct
response he got was Intended to be
offensive, then it was not parliament
tary.
[The Democrats greeted this ruling
with counter demonstration of disap-
proval. Finally, as Mr.. Hale struck
to the point, the Speaker said if he
was dlss atisfied he might appeal.
Mr.. Hale asserted that he had not
heard any ruling, and the Speaker
intimated that the gentleman's COM
prehension was at fault.
Mr.. Conger wanted to know wheth-
er the Speaker intended to be under.
stood as saying that his (Conger's)
words we're used 10 an offensive sense.
The Speaker replied that if the
gentleman intended his language to
be offensive it was supplementary.
Mr.. Conger. Did the Chair intend
to decide that I did use them intend.
ing to be offensive
The Speaker. The Chair is not to
decide what be thinks. Laughter on
both sides']
Mr.. Conger (sarcastically.) Per-
haps that ought not to be expected.
This whole colloquy proceeded
amid scenes of great uproar and con-
fusion, but without any exhibition OF
undue anger or ill-temper on either
side Of the House.