The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-03-09
Van Voorhis's Hot Words.
A DIsGRACEFUG SCENE AT WASHINGTON.

There was n notable scene IN the
House Thursday evening March LIST,
when the River and Harbor bill was
being discussed. The galleries were
crowded with spectators, but there was
little excitement until the appropriation
for Sacramento River was reached.
Van Voorhis Of New York. who has
been fighting the River and Uarbor bill,
bitterly attacked this scheme, which, it
was quietly whispered about, was Pages
pet hobby. The House was in Com
mittee of the Whole, with Cannon of
Illinois in the Chair Van Noorhis was
a speech, in which he was en-
deavoring to explain the iniquity of the
project. Suddenly he raised his arm
alof;, and in the most vehement manner
said: This item would never have
been put in the bill if the Chairman of
the committe were not from California
1t is so outrageous, so damuable, that
no one but gambler or cut throat
would have thought of tacking such a
thing as this to an appropriation bill.
Page turned red in an instant, and
from the galleries be almost looked pur-
pie. lIorr, the fat man from Michigan
jumped to his feet and roared out: IL
demand that the words be taken down"
The words were read from the Speak
er's desk, and Keifer was hulTiedly
summoned and took command of the
gavel. Cannon reported what had trans
pired, and McLane of Maryland, one of
the most polished gentlemen of the
House, arose and presented resolution
that Van Voorhis be expelled. This he
supported in n vigorous speech, taking
ground that it was high time that some
notice be taken of figrant violations
of parliamentary laws.
"rhe gentleman from New York,
said he. 'referred to the gentleman
from California (Page) as mule driver,
in the debate last night, and he has fol
lowed up his offence with more virulent
dlnuuciations. | feel it my duty to of
fer this resolution and press its pas
sage
There was a moment of silence, and
then an uproar, in which Mills ofTexas
screamed at the top of his voice: 81 OBJ
iect to this House expelling any mem
Der for any offence until he shall have
been heard.
Then, by general consent, Van Noor
his was allowed TO speak. He stood in
the main aisle, surrounded by his Re
publican friends, who had been advis-
ing him how to proceed. and, amid per
feet silence, said that he was not gifted
in oratory as Mr.. McLane was, his vo-
cabulary was much more meagre, His
voice was also weak, and he had to
speak with good deal of effort to
make himself understood. He disclaim-
ed any reflection on Pages honor, and
SAID: II had no idea that the words
was using could be applied to any per-
son. | intended them for the bill, and
not for any particular person, | apol-
ogize to the gentleman from California
and to the House for the words which
have been taken down, and feel very
sorry to be compelled to re,ract them.
The last sentence made the House
laugh for five minutes, while keifel
pounded and hammered his desk unit
the splinters flew in a shower over the
reading and tally clerks. Order was
finally restored, and Lefevre of Ohio
moved to lay the resolution OF eXpul
sion on the table, but McLane, in re
spouse tc entreaties, withdrew The
resolution. Then Herbert of Alabama
a Democrat, with clarion voice, aros'
and moved the passage of resolution
declaring that John Van Noorhis haC
used language upon the floor in viola
ton of the rules of the House, anC
that he be brought to the bar of th
House by the Sergeant-at-Arms anC
publicly censured by the Speaker
Herbert supported his resolution will
a fiery speech, in which he said :"
have moved this resolution of censur
because | believe the member from
New York has used words about tn
gentleman from California which h
would net dare to use outside"
There were cries from the Repui,
can side. Take the words down.
Herbert waited for a moment, an
Phil Thompson of Kentucky succeede
in getting the Speakers eye to NOV
that the resolution be laid on the tabl'
Page arose evidently considerabl
agita,ed, and endeavored to pour o
on the troubled waters by asking He
bert to withdraw his resolution, br
the latter fatty refused, and on vol
the House also refused to table II
resolution by 62 yeas to 80 nays. Ca
kins Of Indiana said it was customar
for the House to pass by offenc'
against parliamentary rules upon II
presentation of an apology, but tht
Van Voorhis's words were so oftensi,
that he hoped the yeas and nays won
be ordered on the passage of the re
olution.
Van Voorhis, who had been a qui
, spectator of all that was going o
then moved out of group of his az
visers, and, standing near the bar
the House, in the main aisle, sal,
, .''Mr. Speaker, | desire permission
, the House to be heard in my own b
half If the River and Harbor III,
{ wish to censure me, suppose | c;
, stand it, Then there was murm
: of surprise, which was incresed VIII,
4 he said; MY principal offence is th
| have opposed the River and Harb
4 bill"
When this was said there were Sc
' eral cries from different parts of t
House that hi;.words be taken do,
and read from the Speakers dies
e Keifer at last succeeded in maintaini
e order, and Van Voorhis said. "a,
y said before, wish to be understood
y apologizlng to the House and to I
! member from California"
a Kema of West Virginia submit
IS a proposition that the resolution
d Withdrawn, and that the eulire il
J. guage be omitted from the C0agre
3 ioaaI Record, but Herbert refused
Is | ,,,;, 4 ro ar h;s r,gn1,t;np Ia