Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-19
oCHILTREEs LAST ENCOUNTER.
A Ridiculous but Laughable Scene in
the House of Representatives.

the House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Washington
is laughing tonight over 'Col." Tom
Ochiltree's encounter with "Col." AL
eXander, of Arkansas, at the House of
Representatives to-day. In the midst of the
debate on the river and harbor bill in the
House this afternoon, Ochiltree suddenly
shot in through the main doorway and
down the main aisle to his seat. His red
hair was disheveled and his eyes rolled
wildly. He struck theatrical attitude,
and, raising his voice to roar, broke In
upon the debate with ''Mr. Chairman, l
rise to a question of privilege Sew
eral moments elapsed before he
was recognized. He repeated his
declaration, and when he was recognized
he said that when at a previous stage in
the discussion of the river and harbOr
bill Mr.. Holman had offered an amend
ment to the Galveston harbOr apprOpria-
tion providing that before any improve
ment should be made the government
must acquire the wharf privileges now
held by private persons, ne had risen and
asked Mr.. Holman upon what information
he based his amendment. Mr.. Holman
had replied, he said, that it was based
upon information furnished by Col.
Alexander, of Arkansas, who was
highly commended to him. Thereupon
Ochiltree had said that Alexander
was Texan who had left his State for his
States good. He was a lobbyist, disap-
pointed in the attempt to get fee for ad-
VOcatiDg the Galveston project, and he
was not worthy of belief. The House did
not consider this question of privilege,
and cries of Irregular Order' rang through
the hall. The Chairman said he did not
consider it question of privi-
lege. "But," said Ochiltree,
she has just threatened me with personal
violence. He has just said to me that
he would 'see me outside.'" The
House rOared with laughter. ''Now,"
said Tom, II want it distinctly under
stood that although l have just given
Alexander into custody do not propose
to protect myself behind the privileges of
my position. l am ready to meet any
body anywhere at any time" The House
became very still as Ochlltree turned and
went to the main doorway and with wave
of his hand said to the policeman who had
been holding Alexander just outside the
speech, ''Telease him." Then Alexander
strobe away and 0chIltree stalked back
into the House and took his seat.
Mr.. Holman rose to defend Alexander,
but the Chairman ruled that no question
of privilege had been presented and there
the matter dropped, so far as the House
is concerned.
Before going home for the evening
Ochlltree borrowed a revolver from the
DOorkeeper OF the House. 1t
seems that Alexander heard what
Ochiltree said to Holman in
the House, and meeting him in the cOrri-
dor afterwards said quite mildly: tom,
L didn't think you would say anything
like that about me. You know it was not
true. / left Texas with a perfectly good
record, and | have not attempted to lobby
for Eads." G. you, sir" said Ochll-
tree, sit you don't like what l said you
can send me card. You know my ad-
dress" This angered Alexander, who
sir, | will send yeu a card" At this
point Ochiltree weakened and called
Police" The capitol police are always
at hand. Two ran forward anu upon
Ochiltree's representations took Alex
ander into custody, while Ochiltree
rushed into the House and made his SEN
satiOnal speech.
Tonight Alexander said: 81 had no
idea of hitting Ochitree in the corridor
him In the precincts of the House and get
five years in Jail for It, when | can thrash
him outside for one year in jail.'
Ochlltree says, with much profanity,
that alexander is an infamous lobbyist.
He wanted to bleed Eads for money as
a lobbyist for the Eads Galveston
project. No money has been used for
that purpose, and of course he got none.
So he has been fighting it, and suggested
the Holman amendment simply to en-
barrass the project. Pll meet him any
where" The chances are that he will
meet him nowhere, as Alexander is not to
be bullied by Ochiltree.