National Republican., 1883-02-17
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Which is Not Wedding Fight Nor
Foot Race, So Far,
But on Affair ti,nt RnnIsIcs Three Days
and Dies I'm Inis.

But nn Affair tint EnnIsics Three Days
and Dies I'm Ink.
The sharp rctort Of Mr.. Haskell, Of Kansas.
to Mr.. Townshond, Of Illinois, during the
tariff debate of Tuesday was the subject of
much rumor and speculation yesterday. it
ranlSlcd In the breasts OF Mr.. Townshcnd and
his friends, and frequent questioning concern
ing it grew to bo worse than annoying to Mr.
Haskell and his friends. The difference in
the attitudes may be fairly stated in n few
words:
Mr.. Townshcnd feels sore over failing to get
retraction from Mr.. Haskell after he him-
self has discaimed any intention of personal
application
Mr.. Haskell assumes that he did no more
than right to brand rs II falsohood the charge
made against the ways and means committee,
Mr.. Townshond's friends believe with him
that he has cause to feel offended, and that tho
least Mr.. Haskell can do Is to say as much us
was said to him in dsclaimng personal ap-
plication.
Mr. Haslell's friends believe that his rotort
was mcrtcd, and arc inclined to encourage
him to ignore the attempts to make an affair
of the matter.
This was tho situation last night, but to
show precisely the origin of the feeling de-
sCribcd II is necessary to give the words of
the two gentlemen. Mr.. Tow1shend said, in
the course of II discussion of tho duty on agri-
cultural implements:
venture another asscrton-thnt no important
measure was ever brought before tho American
congress where more unfair md tyrannical means
have been resorted to In the management Of the
bill than have boon resorIcd to IN connection with
with this bill. All, Mr.. chairman, those of Ms on
this side who have carefully watched the manner
in which this bill has been presented, and the
source from which IL omanRtod, have not failed to
see that the bf does not originate in congress. 1t
WIS sired by lobby Of hired agents of monopoly,
aud was brought forth in secret conclavo I'M
known to the rules Ofthls house. Aud we have fur
ther seen that perhaps the same influence has well
organized the forces upon thatslde Ofthe house. To
tho gentleman from, Pennsylvania Nlr. Kelley)
the gentleman from Kansas tMr. ltNskel), and the
gentleman from Ohio (NIr Mckinley has been as
signed the important dnty of combating objeo.
tions by ingenious arguments and framing cum
ningly devised excuses In order that its most pat
cnt enormities might be concealed from the peo-
pie"
Mr.. Haskell said:
Mr.. Chairman, 1 have sat here and have stood
here upon this floor for nearly three weeks debat-
ing the details OF this bill. | have listened long
enough without replying to the denunciations
that have come from the other side of the house
lcvelod against tho members Of the committee OH
ways and means,
-, The honorable gentleman from Illinois Mr.
TOwnshendl charges that this bin was the creation
of "A corrupt and scnndaOus lobby. Every word Of
his declaration is u Hat fllsehood. Does he COM
prehend exactly the iull weight and length and
breadth OF that statement? Every word Of this
bill was considered In the ways and means COM
mittee. Never before that ways and means COM
mittee, from the day they took charge Of the bill
until they reported it, was there ever lobbyist, u
manufacturer, or an importer allowed TO como.
The controversy covers n page of the Con-
gresSiOndl Record, but all that was said failed
to change the attitude of the speakers, except
that Mr.. Townshend, while he did not with.
draw the remark, disclaimed any personal ap-
plicatiOn.
1t is no secret that Mr.. Blackburn, of Ken
lucky, and several gentlemen who grew up
in the atmosphere of the code, have been talk
ing the matter in hand for Mr.. Townshend
and addressing notes, &c, rs seemed to them
to be demanded by the situation.
Mr.. Haskell and his friends scout the idea
of personal difficulty, and are inclined to
speak contemptuously of giving it the momen-
tum and serious tone indicated by the notes,
conferences &C., regarding it from the stand
point of men not recognizing the code as a
means of settling personal or any other
difficulties.
Mr.. Blackburn said yesterday that while
there had been no challenge, as reported by
the gossips, nor anything in the nature of a
challenge, there had been an effort to ar
range the matter by correspondence Us be-
tween gentlemen, but IL was further than
ever from being adjusted
Mr.. Springer said last night, in cunVeTsa-
tion on the matter, that all talk about chal-
lengo was nonsense; there would be no chal-
lenge. Mr.. TOwnshend had written the last let
ter in the CORE espondenco so far IfAIr. Haskell
chose to make no reply, there would be moth
ing more said or done in the matter, as Mr..
Townshend was satisfied with matters Us they
now stood.
Mr.. Haskell did not look like duelist last
evening when u NATIONAL REPUBLICAN re-
porter called on him. "Therc has been cor
respOndence between us on the subject" said
he, "but nothing suggestive of serious trou-
BILE, / think. Mr.. Townshend wrote me, re-
ferrng to the Congressional Record, and asking
me if thought my language had been iusti-
fed by his remarks / replied by referring
him to the Congressional Record, and saying
that thought L had not misapprehended
his remarks, and that | did not see that had
used unustihable language in replying
thereto. | received an answer to this letter
to-day to which | do not think | will reply.
1t was q petulant, boyish, scolding letter-a
| foolish letter."
"Was it an angry letter; such n one as
would be likely to give rise to the reports OF
a possible personal rencontrep
"It had not occurred to me before that il
would. 1t did not rise to tho dignity OF
anger. 1t was afrctful, peovish epistle, and
as near rs | could work IL out, it meant that
| he (Townshend) was willing to let the matter
rest as it is, unless / saw fit to continue the
/ controversy, if it can be called by that name
| j now know no reason why ] should have
anything further to say. j am perfectly sat
| ished to stand on the record. Tho truth
is Townshend has behaved very foolishly
| throughout. If he thought / had misunder.
stood or misinterpreted his language he should
| have made statement TO that effect on the
| floor of tho house, and l should have met him
| in the friendliest spirit. If continue in the
| frame of mind / am now in / shall not reply
| to Mr.. TOwnshend's last letter. If he insists
upon ii, however, | will freely mako public
| the correspondence ON the subject"
| 1t was asCertainod last evening that the
correspondence although submitted also tC
| one or more other friend9) was conducted
| through Representative Morrison, who has
| acted ms Mr. Townshcnd's friend in the mat
| ter Col' Morrison, In reply to an inquiry to-
night, said he regarded the correspondence as
substantially closed at least as far as Mr.
Townshond is concerned, and added the mat
! ter is now in such shape that IL can he ST.
lowed TO rest without further comment o,
controversy.
Col. Morrison declined to furnish the cor
respondence for publication at present bu
remarked, "There is nothing in il that Mr.
Townshend could have the slightest intcres
in Withholding from the public"
!
An Unknown Shark.
| Prof Baird. commissioner of fish and fish
cries has addressed " letter to Superintendent
Kimball, of the life saving service, thanlSin
him for tho aid already rendered by the lif,
saving stations in the matter of obtainnl
I % L.. l..kt