New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-07
THE HOUSE IN A TUMULT.
IT, .ncn,yu TO THE TRIBUNE.l

'p' Ill 6-The Navy Appropriation
,n' Ala not pass the House without 'ely rwh;,
-, - combat between MesSrs. kooeson any 80
.,arno n massage 80 sharp and OluteI 'Iu. -,
'nOi"1 o,neared to be inevitable Inc s'o'n'
,'L;oh had been gathering ever SINCE VII L;oh
.ool, bis seat in the XLYlth Congress "u 49,
''o', - Ino,v must break at last, Durs' Vo-""!
e'ei3 OOu' '',osion of such epIthets as lar anu
.a.y a'Niu az > Mr. Robson had the closing hour VI
80 sfter n few remarks explaining the scope
.,,1 fleet Of the bill adopted by the Cohhl'~o
ot tho Whole he began his promised reVie" anu uo-
,e,ce of his administration OF the Navy Depa''
,oent II has always been UNDERSTOOD thaV oho Vi
,hs chief reasons of Mr. Robesons desire 10 en'oi
Congress was that he might gain just such an oppoi
80, os no secured to-day For five or six years
he had patiently waited and blded MS tllho' anu
~ u he began TO speak to-day it evident that
~ hod thoroughly weighed what he should say
tT;o defence was certainly skilful and mastery
.ne and il was received with hearty satisfaction
By his party associates III hot "i'n oo"' 'O''' -
his party opponents. -
when Mr.. Robson had uttered the words, " Ii
there was a man who it was charged, whether truly
or falsely had puroined the school fund OF hls ma
five State he was brought TO the 'front.'" Mr. Nhlt-
tborne made terrible bunder. He had been slt-
ting in front seat intenty listening and Watching
the orator who had taken his place In the area
t,ont;no the Clerks desk When Mr.. Robson made
the allusion TO the theft of school fund,
an allusIon which comparatively few understood
Mr. Wbitthorne sprang to his feet, dashed into the
area and strobe toward Mr. Robson with uplifted
arm and cenched fist, eXclaiming at the same time
with a voice trembling with rage That Is lie.
and whoever repeats the statement is liar"
When the irate Tennessean had approached
within two OF three feet OF MI. Rooeson, VINO
'ooIIv eved him he suddenly halted, and tor a
second the two whIte-haired men, one pale with
.rcor and the other with flushed face, glared at
sacb other. Then Mr.. Robeson. with slight bow
and gesture. apparently waited for his adversarys
ottack sIf he had struck me, | think should
have killed him." remarked Mr.. Robson to
triena afterwarJ On the instant the
House was in tumult, members
burrvino from both sides toward the
scene of impending conflict Several of the younger
men of the Republican side edged closely around
Mr.. Robeson, with flashing eyes and qulvering
muscles and it was quite as well for Mr.. Wmtthorne
that be did not strike the blow he had apparently
intended. His hand dropped to his side and he re-
treated to his seat seized a pen and rapidly MADE
notes.
Mr.. Robson had the hearty sympathy Of bis
party friends who admired his GOODNESS aud pluck.
He immediately proceeded with his speech from the
point he lad been interrupted and, although he
used language much more scathing and severe than
before, there was further disorder and the Ser,
geant-at-Arms and bis deputies. who kept watchiul
guard to prevent outbreak, had nOtlilEg else 10
d. While Mr.. Robeson's language was wholly
within the bounds of parliamentary pI0prlety, II
cnt very deep, and the blunder OF Mr.. Whitthorn1e
allowed everybody TO see for whom II was intended
An old member of the House said atterwaId
that he had never before seen suGh
a caSugation inflicted upon anyDody
as the Tennessee Represen tative received To day
That he WINGED under it evident enough. AS
soon as Mr.. Robeson had concluded Mr. Whitthorne
was on his feet demanding TO be heard, but he was
taken on the passage of the bill. The vote stood
lI9 to 75, majority of Al for the blll-a result
which Mr.. Robeson can afford to accept as pretty
thorough indication of his ability at least.