Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-04-01
McMiIlin on Kelley.

Washington Cor. New York World
One Of the episodes in the house.
to day, was a tilt between MI. McMil,
lin, of Tennessee, and Mr.. Kelley, of
Pennsylvania. MIR. McMlllin, although
one Of the young members, is remark
ably clear headed on parliamentary
usages, and full of ardor. The con.
trast between the men-the elder
clustering, presumptuous and glory
ing on every occasion over his seek
sty yeahs of Dubleck %sarrvees." and
the other frank aud unsuspectinp but
indignant over an imputation upon a
colleague added great zest to what.
upon its merits alone, was an interest
ing verbal passage. In replying to
Mr.. Townshend. who cited instances
in which Mr.. Kelley has secured the
improper reference of bills by intro
ducing them under their numbers.
Mr. Kelley went out Of his way, as
usual, to glOrify himself, make a tariff
speech aud Willy his accuser. When
this had been going on awhile. Mr..
McMillin rose to the point of order
that the discussion should not be per-
yerted into a channel for the c~astiga-
ton Of any member. 0mitting Mr..
kelley's style Of speech which cannot
be put on PAPER, the following ensued:
1 have not ~castigated him. He made
an attempt to castigate me-" Mr..
Kelley said. Il admit he has not
done it, rejoined Mr.. McMillin. "but
the gentleman is attempting to do It.
That cannot be DONE" rs it manly
to castieate an old man like me, and
not permit him to reply to the boy
who attempted it?o Mr.. Kelley
roared in his broadcast brogue. tif
the old man complains of any i'm
proper action on the part of the boys,
the best way for him to resent it is to
set them a good example" was the
quick reply, DO you believe that If
a man be fairly challenged to discus.
sion, replied Mr.. Kelley, getting red in
the face, and his motives be assailed.
as mine were when the house was told
that i'll had been assured the bill did
not touch pig-iron, he would have
been courteous? GLauehte-. Do
you believe challenges of that kind
are not to be responded to? Is it
chivalry, is it honor, is it manhood to
prevent it?"
Mr.. McMillin - Manhood. Mr..
Speaker, manhood, sir, on this floor is
the observance of its rules. Zap
plause, When the gentleman from
Pennsylvania obtains the floor for the
purpose OF making a personal expla-
nation he must confne himself to
what has been said concerning him
and he cannot go outside Of that.
The Speaker-The Chair thinks that
Is a correct construction.
Mr.. Kelley-I would like to ask the
gentleman from Tennessee himself
whether he believes the suggestion
that the fact that it did not touch pig
iron would have swayed my Judgment
was not something to be replied to?
Such a suggestion
The Speaker-That is not the point
OF controversy.
Mr.. Kelley%-It was an aspersion
thrown on my character as a man.
The Speaker-The gentleman from
Pennsylvania will please to con6ne
himself to the matter of personal *.
planati0n.
Mr.. Kelley-Whep | fud, Lccordinp
to the view Of the gentleman from
Tennessee, that may not reply to
personal assaults, | am at a loss to
know what is regarded as personal.
Mr.. McMillin-There is no nan in
the world who would more reluctantly
interpose TO prevent any member from
himself right before the
country than l.. That was not nv
purpose. But when the gentleman
wandered from what pertained 10
himself l made the point of order.
Finding his antagonist too much for
him, Mr.. Kelley sank back in his seat
and that ended the dialogue. The
scene did not end quite there, how
ever for republicans as well as demo-