New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-15
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
AN EXCITING SCENE IN THE HOUSE.


WASHINGTON. June 14.-Chairman Kelley, Of the
Ways and Means Committee, and Congressman
White of Kentucky, were the chief actors In
scene which caused great excitement i'll the House
this afternoon. Ii sprang out Of the controversy
over the Bonded Whiskey BILL the passage OF
which caused Mr. White great unhappiness.
lie has lost no opportunity to accuse
the Ways and Means Committee of having been I'M
properly Influenced in respect to that measure and
one or two sharp cooquies had taken place between
him and Judge Kelley on that subject prior to TO-
day.
To-day Mr.. White brought the matter up again,
and, on his recollection of the testimony of one OF
the witnesses before the Window Investigating
Committee said that the Whskey bill was passed
as the result Of an arrangement" between Chair
man Kelley and the distillers Judge Kelley denied
that any witness had ever made such statement.
THAT is question Of veracity. heard him
make the statement mysef," shouted Mr.. White
Then the scene eliminated In his most emphatic
and Impressive manner the venerable father Of the
House." whose indignation had fully mastered him,
thundered out: "And dcnounce the statement as
the rawlings of a maniac or a deliberate lic."
"The gentleman may be scoundrel enough to
make that statement" rctorted the young Kentuck-
ian, pale with wrath. Instantly more than hall the
members present were on their feet, and half
dozen were clanOrng to have the words taken
down" This done, and the Committee ot tie
Whole Immediately rose and the uDParliamentary
language was formally reported 10 the House.
Mr.. Springer, with his usual agility, was ready with
a resolution to censure the offenders, and he imme-
diately offered it.
Judge Kelley rose, betraying signs of great asita-
ton and emotion and asked permission to make
statement before taking the vote the resolution
This was readily granted, and in pathetic tone
and with much feeling Judge Kelley said " de-
sire to say now that when look forward IN few
months to the close of mans allotted period
-threo score and ten; when l remember
that | have son who bears my name,
and other children, and wife L
have honored for nearly third OF
century when have stood here day after day and
week after week hearing a member OF Congress
using my name, speaking OF me by the title OF t9e
high office have won by over twenty years OF Con-
gressonal life, remember that until this my repu-
tation for honesty and fair dealing ana ndeltY 10
the business of the House has been unchaleuged.
Remembering what was due 10 my chllnren, my
wife and myself, feel that had justification IN
forgetting for moment what was due to the
House j thus lraDkly acknowledge my tranSgreS-
sion do not put in plea for mercy. do regret
that should have shocked the ears Of my brethren
on this floor and he sense OF prOpTety OF the cOun-
try; but in dong this ! say TINS: am an
old man and a man of peace and L VIII tolerate.
violation of all rules of order and demands from the
presiding officer of this House. no such outrage on
my character and the far fame of my family Will
ont resenting as best can and this in words.
The sympathies of the House were clearly with
Judge Kelley. and he warmly cheered when he
sat down. Mr. McLane, of Maryland, one OF the
greatest sticklers for the dignity of the House"
made a snort speech, in which he declared that he
could not vote for the resolution Of censure; and
Mr. Mills, of Texas, IN the course of some remarks
RAT her eulogstic of Judge Kelley ntimated that Mr..
White mad deserved all he had got.
Mr.. White then made anapology TO the House and
,JudQe Kelley he said that he too had spoken under
strong prevOcation for IN a speech few days ago
Judge Kelley had alluded TO misfortune in his
(Wmte esl iamily-by intimating that he was
knowledge of Mr.. Whie's family misfortune and said
that Of course. had he known of it nt would never
have made the allusi0n which lie did. Mr.. Whites
apology accepted MIR. Springer in some haste with
drew his resolution of censure, and the House
again turned to business