Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-03-26
The Garfield-TOwnshend Tilt.

Monday when the State of Illinois was
called for. the introduction of bills. Mr..
Town,hend rose and sent a bill to the desk
and requested that it be referred to the COM
mittee on the revision of the laws, of which
he was a member The title of the bill simp-
ly described the measure as one to amend
three specified sections of the revised stat
utcs. The statutes comprise 5,60l sections,
end it is not surprising that nobody could tell
on the spur of the moment the subject of Mr..
Townshend's bill. 1t was referred to his
committee rs he had requested, and nobody
objected because nobody knew what the bill
contained.
Later it was discovered that Mr.. Townshend
had laid a very pretty scheme, because, it is
said. he himself Dragged of it. His bill pro-
vides for the amendment of three of the most
comprehensive sections of the tariff law
Tuesday morning, before the journal of Mon
days proceedings had been approved. Mr..
Conger called attention to the "mistake" that
had been made, and General Garfield NOV ed
that the journal he amended by substituting
the ways and means committee for that on
the revision of the laws
Mr. Townsend resisted this motion, and in
the course of his remarks fully exposed and
weakly tried to justify the deception of which
he had been guilty. This was the beginning
of one of the most remarkable parliamentary
struggles that has taken place at this session.
| The democrats with few exceptions, rallied
to the support of Mr.. Townsend. Points of
order were thrust at the Speaker from all
sides and with bewildering rapidity, and for an
hour or two dozen members were trying to
speak simultaneously.
| One of the incidents of the day was rather
exciting. General Garfelds amiability and
consideration for the feelings of his fellow
| members is sometimes mistaken for q lack of
courage. and it has been taken advantage of
| by his opponents on several occasions. This
afternoon he felt called upon to characterize
! Mr.. Townshend's artfice in the plain words
it deserved. Mr. rownshend became terribly
excited. and his fury increased when the Re
publicans greeted with jeers and shouts OF
laughter his remarks about holding General
Garfield personally responsible here and
elsewhere" Ina passion, Mr.. Townshend
roared, "If the gentleman from Ohio means
to insinuate that have deceived the House
| .'Insinuate,' interrupted General Garfield
II have said as plain as could half doz
en- times that the gentleman deceived the
| House. That is what made these proceed
iugs necessary
The words expressed exactly what had
been in the minds of all the republicans and
a good many democrats all day, and the 'ex.
preston was greeted. with hearty applause.
Still Mr.. Townshend affected not to under
stand General Garfield. He began again III
the gentleman means to insinuate-" But
the rest of the sentence was lost in the up
roar of laughter. Mr.. Townshend persisted
and made out to say, among other things.
that General Garfield had been guilty of
| ''hase falsehood."
| This created no sensation. nobody even
thought it worth while to have Mr.. Towns
| hends words taken down. General Gar
| field said that he was satisfied to let the mat
ter drop there. Mr.. Townshend ''had made
a complete exposure of his person and his
mind" and nothing need be added