Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-01-08

When the House OF Representatives
was IN Committee of the Whole, Dec.
2lst on the Funding bill. the debate
took personal turn, and Mr.. Sparks,
(dem. Ill., getting the floor alluded to
a circumstance that had occurred du-
ring the Interruptions between Messrs.
Weaver, Bland and Others, in which
Mr.. Weaver had used an offensive term
to him Chat he was crazy. He went
on 10 a good natured manner 10 excuse
the offensive remark as arising from
misunderstanding on Mr.. Weavers
part of what he (Mr. Sparks) had said
10 call il out.
Mr.. Weaver replied in the same tone
of pleasantly aud good humor, declin-
ing 10 take offence al what Mr.. Sparks
had said, and intima,ing that no one
could venture TO Insult him Intentional
" by ascribing ialsehood 10 him with
out feeling the force of his (Mr. Wtav-
ers) right arm. daughter and uproar.)
Mr.. Sparks, OH hearing the latter re.
mark, changed his tone from one OF
pleasantly to one Of anger, and he said;
Il shun with contempt the reach q! bus
arm. The reach OF his arm would al
feet one as little as it affected the last
presidential election"
Mr.. Weaver (still in joculsr tono.)
Well, that was sufficient. Does not
the geutlemrn see that he ought never
to open his mouth at all when ne is ex-
cited. Never Never! lie spurns the
reach of my arm. He can do so. In tie
temper | am now in, he. can do so.
would not hurt a hair of his head.
Laughter.) His apology was ample
and | accept it; but / caution him
against the further use OF the term
"falsehood" or ''lie." That, in Kentucky
is regarded, / believe, as equal to
click" or ':blow," and, even If was
not as large as mouse, / would assall
any man who would apply such term
TO me Extensively. The gentleman has
alluded to my weight, but ! warn him
that my fighting weight is l25 pounds.
Shouts OF laugIter
Mr. Spa:ks-Docs the gentleman say
that used the words "ialsehood =
Mr.. Weayer-So | understood.
Mr.. Sparks-O no; yours was certain
" the first offensive words.
Mr.. Weaver (still good humoredly)
We are all right now.
Mr. Spa,ks-Iou misunderstood me,
| said that YOU were stating what was
not true, and you were wanting in the
qualities OF gentleman, in your failing
to remedy it. Excitement and contn-
sion in the chamber. That was oil
that there was Of il, but it was devel-
oped at the last election that you wan
ted those qualities.
Mr.. Weaver (uot thoroughly angry
and excited)-I denounce the gentle
man personally as liar, on the floor OF
the House.
Mr.. Sparks equally excited)-You
are scoundrel and villain.
Mr.. Weaver thereuron (amid great
uproar) left the place where he WAS
standing and advanced menacingly to-
wards Mr.. Sparks, Who. in his turn,
moved towards Mr.. Weaver; but both
were Immediately surrounded by mem
bers, who prevented them getting to
close quarters, and made them put Oh
their coats, which each was in tho act
of taking off as he advanced into the
area. OF course, the greatest confusion
and disorder prevailed on the floor aud
in the galleries; bat in the midst OF it
the Speaker took the chair, aud called.
upon the sergeant NJ arms to do bis
duty. Just then, however, there was
nothing particular. to be done by that
official, rs the comba,auts had been
surrounded by their !, spective friends,
and there was ho danger ot their as
saul.ing each other After the disorder
had subsided Mr.. Covert resumed the
chair, and the committee rose, aud the
House adjourned.