Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-03-02
SCENE IN THE HOUSE

In the House of Representatives Yesterday
during the discussion of the River and Har
Dor Appropriation bill Mr. Van Eoorhis, Of
tered motion to strike out the item for the
Improvement of the Sacramento river. He
supplemented this motion with speech, in
which he said thatif the chairman of the
committee Mr.. Page had not been from
California no such item would have been
put upon the bill. at is so outrageous. be
continued, $50 damnable, that nobody but
gambler and cut-throat could think of tack
ing such thing as that to such a bill as
this Mr. Horr of Michigan demanded that
the words should be taken down, to which
MIR. Page quietly replied, "Oh! hope not"
But MIR. McLane insisted that the remark
was an insult to the House.
The words were read at the clerks desk
and reported 10 the House. Mr.. McLane
time offered Il resolution ofexpulsion. Before
tine resolution was stated Mr. Hiscoclz said
II believe, as other members do, that the
words were spoken in heat, provoked, as he
thought he was, by something that had
transprcd. | believe he has been guilty Of
an infraction of the privileges of the House,
and yet believe that the measure present
ed is too severe. and trust he may be al
lowed to make an explanations" He was
followed by McCook, of New York, with 81
am sure the gentleman from Maryland will
not insist on this summary method without
my colleague being heard Mr.. Mills Tex!
As matter of course, the gentleman is en-.
titled to be heard
Mr. McCookl admit that the language
of my colleague cannot he defended con.
cede that until he apologies in the most ful
and complete manner, not only to the Hausc
but 10 the gentleman who reported this bill
he ought to be expelled. But it is only fair
and just to hear him, and hear whether
he will apologize before we put this motion.
Mr.. Robinson Mass. NO one can more
heartily condemn such language than nv
self 1t is an iniraction Of the rules and de-
corum ofthc House ; but what my friend
MIR. HiScock) says is true that, in lust
ice to his colleague, we should pause I
suggest that in justice to ourselves we should
pause. This is the House of Representa-
tives, it is true and yet day after day
scenes trunspire here that are not creditable
in II rational House Of Representatives.
| Applause. That is no excuse for the gem
tleman from New York Mr.. Van Eoorhis J
1t is time that this should be stopped but /
say it is just to ourselves we should pause
before we take the summary proceeding
that is provided for in the Constitution. We
should give the offending member an op-
portunity TO make the amplest apology to
the House. If he Declines if he waivers, if
he attempts to justify himself, then will 90
TO the other extreme Applause
Mr.. Horr said that he had asked that the
words should be taken down, because that
was the only method in which the dignity
and good breeding Of members could be
maintained, 1t was an unprovoked attack.
which the House out of respect TO its
dignity ought not to submit to. Unless the
man using such language retracted, he
should meet the most SUMMARY punish
ment.
Mr.. McLane said that it had never en-
tered his mind that vote should be taken on
his resolution before the gentleman from
New York had the amplcst opportunity TO
make All explanation
Mr.. Robinson-"Aud something more.
He should make more than m explanation
under these circumstances
Mr.. McLane--"But it never entered nv
mind that anything he could say can excuse
him before the country and before tie
House."
Mr.. Robnson-''There is Away room for
repentance, and there ought to be here"
Mr.. MclIane-The meanest and common.
est criminal in the land has right to he
heard. But when come to ask this House
to pass on this resolution--when take the
responsibility of moving i'll have Il duty
to perform, and recall to the House that
the gentleman from New York. previous to
the words which were taken down, address
ed the gentleman from California as the
chairman Of the Commerce Committee. He
knew perfectly well to whom he addressed
his language, and it is fresh in the minds of
every member Of the House that last night
he was discreditcd and disgraced by this
same member from New York. He then
addressed the chairman Of the Commerce
Committee in language that, though it could
give no disgrace TO the gentleman from
California, gave infinite disgrace TO this
House, and to the gentleman from New
York who uttered the language. Last night
he made some reference TO the gentleman s
early life, and spoke of him as mule driver
and stage driver. 1t would have been quite
in the line Of current retort if the gentleman
from California had said to the gentleman
that if he had been born a mule driver or
stage driver, he would have remained such
probably tothe present hour Laughter and
applause.
II call the gentleman himself to order"
interrupted Mr.. Hiscock.
Mr. McLane-"I am quite in ORDER
| The Speaker-"The chair must caution
the gentleman that il is not in order to make
personal remarks
Take his words down. suggested some
member while Mr.. Mills and Mr.. Atherton,
in an excited manner, held an indignant
colloquy with Mr.. McLane, who, folding his
arms, deliantly said 81 know what said.
Take my words down. But the demand
was withdrawn, and Mr.. McLane, continu-
ing, said that he only referred to the Ian
guage used by Mr.. Van Voorhis last night
in order to show the animus which had i'm
PEELED him this evening. He Mr.. McLane)
was satisfied that the House had not only
reached the point where an example was
necessary, but Che regretted to say it had
found the individual who ought to be made
that example. Applause.
Mr.. Mills vehemently protested against
man being tried without hearing, and
some apparently sharp words passed be.
tween him and Mr.. McLane, which could
not be heard on account of the great confi,-