New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-02
THE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL PASSED.

| Mr.. VAN vOORms-AN APOLOGY ACCEPTED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSBl
| WASHINGTON. March 1.-The House spent the
day in consideration of the River and Harbor bill
Mr.. Page tried this morning to apply the gag rule
to the bill and cut off all discussion except
| one hour, TO be devoted to the item for
the lower Mississippi. His motion to
suspend the rules for that purpose was defeated by
vote of 1873 to s3 An analysis of this vote shows
that of the sixty Republicans who voted for the
motion forty-twO men who will not sit in the
next Congress, and about the same proportion is
found in the seventy-three Der ocratc votes. Men
whose constituents have repudiated them appear to
feel that they can afford 10 brave public opinion
and the newspapers
MISSISSIPPI IMPROVEMENTS.
The item for the Mississippi River provoked a
very warm discussion, Messrs Burrows. His
cock. and Robinson, of Massachusetts, of
the Mississippi River Select Committee
vigorously opposing any further appropriations
at present for levees. Mcssrs. Gibson and Thomas
spoke on the other side and Mr.. Randall with
eye to the SpeakershIp contest, spoke eloquenty on
both Sides Mr. Robinson, of Massachusetts, offered
amendment providing that none OF the money
now or hereafter appropriated shall be expended
in the building or repairing of levees. This amend
the friends of the bill, despite The fact that they
had asserted over and over again that none of the
money is to be used for cvees. II turns out that
more than $1.O00OOO Of the former appropriations
has been or will be spent on levces manly below
the mouth of the Red River where the only earthly
need of leyees at all is protect the adjacent lands
from overflow.
MOTION TO ExPEL Mr.. VAN voORHs.
There was an exciting scene in the House this
evening the consequences of which at ono time
threatened to be serious TO Representative Van
Voorhis. The bad feeling that has been exhibited
almost constantly since tho River and
Harbor bill was taken up eliminated.
and for a time 1T looked 'hough
the New-York Representative would be
taken into custody and formally censured, If not
expelled. He offered an amendment to strike out
the appropriation for the Sacramento
RIVER. aud after reference TO Chairman
Page of the Commerce Committee, said
This IL so damnable. so outrageous
that nobody but gambler or cutthroat would
think of tacking such thing as that to such bill
as this"
MIR Hor sprang to his feet and demanded that
the words taken down and reported to the House
This being done Mr. McLane offered res
oluilon for the expulsion OF Mr. Van
voorhIs. The House and the crowded galleries
were Immediately in fever OF excitement aud
much confusion prevailed Mr. Hiscock and Cen
eral McCook went gallantly to the of their
colleague and pleaded for eniency. General McCook
said that Mr.. Van Voorhs ought TO be expelled un
less he should make the most ample and humble apoI
Ogy TO the House and the chairman of the committee.
Mr.. Robinson. of Massachusetts,, also demanded
that Mr.. Van Voorhis should be allowed to apollo
gze II ne fails wavers, or attempts to justify |
than for w AZ
Punishment"
Mr. Robinson took occasion to read the House a |
timely lecture on its manners.
NJ Horr thought the House owed il TO its own |
d gnity TO punish this unprovoked outrage upon |
decency
Mr. McLane said that he never intended 10 press the
resolution before giving the cu prit opportunity
10 apologize and retract This was not the first time
5he gentleman had violated parliamentary propriety.
In this debate he had referred to the chairman as
" mule driver or stage dry and the chairman
rad not rctorted as he might hat if the gentleman
rom New-York had begun life in that humble
phere he would never have risen above 1t.
"Orderw "Orderp shouted several members on
both sides Of the House. and Mr. HiscOck demanded
hat Mr.. McLane's words should be taken down,
,ut afterward withdrew his demand.
MIR. VAN voORmss REPLY.
During all this time the offender bad been stand
ng in the main aisle. leaning against desk. an un-
moved aud silent spectator. When he was allowed
% speak he said in substance that he had been
Tery earnestly opposed to the bill and had opposed
under great difficulties, because of the noisy
actics of It's friends ." am not orator. as the
Gentleman from Maryland is and my vocabulary is
neagre. What l intended was to characterize
he measure, and what l said did not
pply IN personal sense to any one. I have no
ceiling of unfriendlness toward the chairman. |
glsh TO withdraw the words. i did not mean to
ppiy them to any person. 1 very much regret the
ecessity of Withdrawing these words"
This was a ludcrons turn which put the
louise in good humor, and the danger of expulsion
yas over. As soon as the laughter subsided Mr.
an Voorhs added Il shall be sorry If the bill
asses; | regret that | used the words" Mr..
e Fevre moved to table the resolution, and Mr. !
lower urged the mover to withdraw il, which he
i'd. ,
MOVING FOR THE OFFENDERS ARREST.
Everybody supposed that the wounded dignity of
he House would recover without further medi- :
Inc until Mr.. Herbert, of Alabama, sprang to his I
,et with resolution that Mr. Van Voorhis should
taken into the custody OF the Sergeant Arms,
rought to the. bar of the House and publicly
by the Speaker. Mr.. Herbert sup
Drted the resolution in bitter speech, part Of I
hich. although designed to be complimentary to 4
r. Page, sounded quite the reverse. Mr.. Thomp- d
N moved 10 table the resolution and Chairman C
age asked the mover TO Withdraw it. which he re-
sed 10 do The motion 10 table was lost G2 10 so. .
Finally Mr.. Van Voorhls asked " Have not ,
ght to be heard IL the River and llarbOr men
ant TO censure me, suppose can stand II. They
em 10 be- III the majority here" This was bad be-
ming but Mr.. Van Voorhis did no. seem 10
alize it until. du.ing pauss 10 secure order, O
T,--.t-..~a -. yf,.,. f.... In