The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-02-25
A SCENE IN Il HOUSE,
An Official's Right to Act Without
His Emblem OF Office sputed

An Officials Right to Act Without
Hi. Emblem OF Office Disputed.
Following are tho details of an unusually
lively scene which occurred in the House Of
Representatives pending discussion of tho
river and harbor appropriation bill
Mr.. White, of Kentucky, undertook to
read a speech in reply to Mr.. Willis, who
called him an obstructionist last week. He
called his effort a question of privilege. Mr..
Blackburn, who was acting as Speaker, beat
a tattoo with his gavel and beloved that
Whites remarks did not constitute O ques-
ton of privilege. White persisted in speak
ing and Blackburn directed Deputy Sergeant
alarms Ike Hill to make him stop. Hill
rushed down the aisle and partly pushed
White into his seat amid protests from the
Republican side of the House. White de-
clineI to stay down because Hill hadn't his
badge of office and Hill went back and got
his mace and proceeded toward Mr.. White,
who took his seat, but who i'll a moment was
again on his feet to u matter of personal
privilege. "When / was occupying my place
ON this floor" he said, 1.-THE s~ergeant,at arms
blance Of authority, and attempted to seat
me-"
The Speaker pro tenn IT sergeent-at-arms
went under the direction Of the chair, the
chair having repeatedly ruled that the gen.
tlemnn was not in order and requested him to
take his seat, which he persistently refused to
do. applause on the Democratic sidel.
81 desire to debate the question:" said MIR.
White.
The Speaker pro tem.-The chair does not
desire to hear the debate. The chair declines
to hear the gentleman further OIL tho question
of personal privilege, on the ground hat 1t is
not q question of privilege.
81 desire to ask" said Mr.. Kelley, "whether
q person, with 10 insignia of office, may place
violent hands on q member and push hin
from his seats"
appeal if you wish to-" cried several
voices from the Democratic side.
The Spcakor-The chair hears no appeal.
II think that this is Il question of the high
est privilege" broke i'll Mr.. Cutcheon, Of
Michigan.
And the chair differs from the gentle
men, " replied the speaker.
Mr.. Hammond. of Georgia, made the point
of order, which was sustained by the chair,
that no appeal having Gccn taken debate was
not in order, and Mr.. Townshend, Of Illinois,
moved that the House 60 into committee of
the whole on the postofice appropriation bill,
which was agreed to.
Pending going into committee, Mr.. White
| again claimed tho floor Oil a question of priv
ilege, and proceeded to sharply criticize the
conduct of the Speaker, denouncing him US q
Cromwell. This crowded the alslcs with mem-
bers. and nearly all were involved in the dis
c~ussion, some of the men about Mr.. White
claiming that the sergeant-et-arms had no
| right to force the member to his scat without
the mace in his hands. For q few moments
there was the utmost confusion, and @ per-
feet cross-fire Of words, members becoming
very angry. Tie House finally proceeded
with the postolfice bill, but some Of the Re-
publican members got together and prepared
a resolution for the expulsion Of Hill, which
they said they would press unless amends
were made to Mr.. White.