The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-12-23
COWARDS.
The IOHse Of Representatives Refuses
TO Purge Itself
The Farce Faded bs Adjournment.

McI.ane, as a question affecting the
dignity Of the house, called attention
10 the scene OF disorder which took place
on the floor yesterday, and which he
characterized as offensive, deregatory
and disereditable TO the house as a
parliamentary body. lie called upon
both offending members before any
other business was entered ON, 10 re-
lieve themselves Of that otfense, by
ample apology. No response having
been made by either member, immedi-
ately concerned, Bowman rose TO pre-
sent what he called n substantive prop
osition. lie spoke OF the scene Of yes
terday as crime and an insult offered
the house, 10 congress and to the
country. There was not, he said a
man present who did not regard that
scene as a personal disgrace, and all
over the country and world, men were
reading this morning Of the pot house
brawl, gambling house quarrel and
lght with fists lonly prevented by force)
that took place yesterday.
To that remark +. Wood, of New
York, took exception, and said lac had
interfered in the discussion yesterday
and endcavored TO copfine it to the
funding bill. lie also characterized
the scene rs the most disgraceful that
ever had taken place on the floor.
McLane, without concluding his re-
mark. said he would yield to the gentle
man from Iowa (Weayer) II he were now
willing 10 make an apology.
Haskell, OF Kansas, objected to that
proceeding, and declared it his opinion
that the house should rather make an
apology to the country thaving suffered
an adjournment to take place yesterday
without action) than to try TO cast OF
its own shoulders the obloquy that be-
longed there and single out members as
scapegoats for its own sins.
Bowman again took the floor and
quoted the remark Of +. Wood as 10
the character OF yesterdays incident,
adding that IL the two feuding mem
bers had been two boys lighting on the
sidewalk, they would have spent the
night in the Tombs and be brought be-
fore the police court in the morning.
lie felt that the house should now take
action that would be warning. He
would, therefore, offer resolution for
expulsion-a punishment which would
only be commensurate with the ofIense.
After further discussion in tho same
vein, and after reading an extract from
the Congressional Record, covering tle
question of the ofrcnse, Bowman's res
olution was read, declaring that for the
gross breach of privileges, rules and de-
corum of the house, the two members
be expelled.
Brown moved, as substitute, that
special committee Of three DO appoint
ed to report, without delay, what pro-
ceedings should be taken by the house.
Regan and Converse indicated some
slight errors in the report of the Con-
gressional Record.
Blount suggested that McLane's res
olution DO modified so that the two
members be permitted" instead of
required" TO make an apology. He
understood that both of the gentlemen
wished to do so.
The resolution, by McLane's consent,
was modified accordingly.
Harris, of Virginia, made point of
order, and argued that tie precise
words for which the members are held
to answer must be set out before they
could be censured or expelled. 1t
would not do to refer generally to the
Record.
Bowman said the point was point
less, as the offense was an action and
not words.
The speaker overruled the point.
Browns substitute, referring to the
select committee, was agreed to by Il
vote of 90 to AZ.
An opportunity was given Sparks and
Weaver, on motion of Conger, to make
any statement they desired.
Weaver stated his deep regret at the
occurrence of yesterday, and admitted
that his language was wholly unjusti-
fable, and for il he made his apology
humbly to the house.
Sparks said that he used words yes
terday that conflicted with the rules of
the house and was unparliamentary.
| He felt that ba QUAD m ,pnlnuy 70 thn