Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-25
SPARKS GRIEVANCE.
Ho,O He Came to be Touched off I'M the
House the Other Day-His Statement of
the ProeOcdttOn.

Ho,o He Came to be Touched off IN the
House the Other D0y-His Statement of
the Pror0catiOn.
Washington Special, Dec. 21.] HG
In an interview tonight, Mr.. Sparks
lays the whole blame of the outbreak on
Mr.. Weaver, who, he says, is truculent,
quarftlsome fellow, always pitching into
other people. ''Mr. Bland was on the
fioor," explained Mr.. Sparks, answering
some of Gen. Weaver's arguments. He
and Weaver had been having it hot and
heavy for some time. In fact, there had
been very exciting discussion all the
afternoon. l had been taking no part,
and, so far from having any intention of
provoking quarrel with Gen. Weaver,
will say that he and have always been
friends. Well, while Bland was speak
ing, interrupted him, to remark upon
the inconsistency of the gentleman from
Iowa, meaning Gen. Weaver. l said that,
whereas he was now complaining of the
act of 1859 and the funding act of 1870, he
was at the time member of the Republi-
can party, and in so far was responsible
for those acts l did not even address my
words to Gen. Weaver, but he took fire,
and at once retorted that my statement
was false, or that 1t was a lie, or words to
that effect Well, of course, / got angry,
and We had some pretty sharp words for
minute or two. And then the whole
thing quieted down. That would have
been the end of it, had not some one
whispered to me that Weaver had mis-
taken my first remark, and that he
thought was alluding to his late cam
no J., froI <1,n
cans. This view of the case at once
a note, explaining the situation, and say
his responsibility as Republican for acts
gress in 1869 and 1870. 1 think any
acknowledge it, forit is really true. At
and I, to set myself right with the House,
repeated my explanation. Weaver, in
stead of accepting it, made some taunt-
that impeached his word when l was
chastised me. This angered me, and I
was not afraid of his arm Weaver
apologize once before for misconduct on
the floor of the House. We then had
some more hard words | said he lied,
and that he was contemplate scoun-
drel, and then he made as if he would
come at me. He did come seven or eight
yards toward me.
eft is said, Mr.. Sparks, that you picked
up chair as if to strike Gen. Weaver -
ssThat is not true There was a great
deal of excitement in the chamber. |
was standing in one of the narrow aisles
near my desk. Seeing Weaver coming /
took hold of a chair to push it out of my
way, so that could step into the area to
have freer field, where l could act if
necessary. l did not try to pick up a
chair, nor did begin to takemy coat off
Some one of my friends caught me by the
shoulders from behind and pulled my
coat partially off my back to restrain me,
and this may have given rise to the
story"
''Will there be anything further be-
tween you and Mr.. Weaver, Mr. Sparks?,'
"Well," said Mr.. Sparks after a pause,
81 don't know about that. l can't an
swer for Gen. Weaver. am
annoyed greatly at the cir
CuulStdllCc, uOG DcCduSG nave De6n IN
the wrong, for, from the first, had the
right of it, but, because, in the versions
of the occurrence which will go to the
country, will get the credit for being a
quarrelsome man. This is the second
spat in which l have been engaged, and
it has been through no fault of mine, l
| assure you. | want the country to know,
however, that all my friends think l was
justified in saying and doing what l did.
The fellow Weaver is a pestilent fellow,
and tried to pick quarrel with Bland,
Sam Ford, Reagan, and several others
to- day.
"You were, Of course, very much ex-
cited, Mr. Sparks
"No, I was very angry for few mo-
ments, but as cool as / am now. The
idea of being afraid of Weaver is too RI
diculous." Then, after pause, Mr..
Sparks said very quietly, Il could whip
Weaver, and I'd have done it if he had
struck me. never was afraid of any
man or set of men, and don't fear Wea-
yer and his whole ID crowd''