The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-03-03
stormy Scene in Congress.
Trio Republican Members Lose their Temper
and Let Loose their IOnqNes.

A scene of the widest excitement occurred
in the House Thursday night. The galleries
were packed during the entire evening by per,
sons listening to the debate on the river and
harbor BILL When the item approp1atlng
sixty thousand dollars for the Improvement OF
the Sacramento river was reached III the con-
sideration of the bill Mr.. Van Noorhls, OF New
York, rose and opposed the item. during
the course of his remarks, which were violent,
he said, looking at Mr.. Page, of California,
chairman of the committee on commerce:
"Ths item is so outrageous, so damnable'
that no one but gambler or cut-throat
would have thought of attaching such thing
as this to such a bill as this" Instantly
there was scene hard to describe. Mem
bers in all parts of the House arose III their
seats, several of whom demanded that the Ian,
guage of Mr. Van Voorhis be taken down and
Teported to the House. This was done, and
! AS soon as it was read Mr.. MclIane, OF Mary
land, offered Il resolution to eXpci Mr.. Van
Voorhis. In supporting this resolution Mr.
McLane said the language of Mr.. Van Noorhls
was so outrageous that the House could not
PASS it by. He referred to the fact that only
a few evenings since Mr.. Van Voorhis had
spoken of Mr.. Page as mule-d driver or stage
driver. Continuing, Mr.. McLane said: 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 to the present hour.
Laughter and applause. =,
81 call the gentleman himself to order,
interrupted Mr.. Hiscock.
Mr.. McIIane-s'I am quite in order.
The Speaker-"The chair must caution the
gentleman that it is not in order to make per
sonal remarks.
"Take his words down, suggested some
member. while Mr.. Mills and Mr. Anterior
in an excited manner, held an indignant col
loauy with Mr. McLane, who, folding hi:
arms defiantly, said: 81 know what | have
said. Take my words down. But the de
mand was withdrawn, and Mr.. McLane, con
tinuing. said ''that he only referred to the
language used by Mr.. Van Voorhis last nigh
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 wa;
necessary, but, he regretted to say it, 1t had
found the individual who ought to be made
that example," [Applause.]
There was more excitement then, severa
of the New York members rallying to detea
the resolution to expel Mr.. Van NOorhis
They urged that it was but fair that Mr.. Var
Voorhis should be heard in his own defence
which privilege was granted him. Mr.; Var
Voorhis is an odd looking man. tall and thin
with light auburn hair and long red beard
As he stood in the main aisle, in front of thu
Speakers chair, all eyes were turned on him
He stood the ordeal well, however, and KEPT
smile on his face. He began by saying
that he had opposed the river and harbour
bill in every way he could; that he had no
the slightest feeling, unfriendly Or malicious
towards Mr.. Page that the Secretary of Wa
had opposed the appropriation for Sacramento
and Feather rivers, and that in opposing i
he was only following the recommendation
apologizing to the House and withdrawing
the language, adding that he regretted thu
necessity for doing so.
The resolution for expulsion was thel
withdrawn, but Mr.. Herbert, of Alabama
thought Mr.. Van Voorhis should be repri
manded, and offered resoutian to that effect
The House, however. voted it down. Orde
was against restored. Mr.. Page demandin!
that the House should go on with the consid
Grafton of the bill.