The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-03-19
AT 1T AGAIN.
ANOTHER SENSATION IN THE SEN
TEAM INVITATION TO
FIGHT.
Is DIscOrd to Reign Supreme in
the Upper House of the
Legislature?

On Thursday night scene occurred
IN the Senate, full particulars of which
were not given in The STATESMAN.
In the highest degree it was reprehen-
sible and should have been fully set
forth with full details, depicting the
conduct of the honorable body, lad
not the press reporters suppressed the
proceedings at the earnest request
of the Senators, In this, the
REPORTERS ERRED.
A timely and lifting rebuke by the
press, which the able members so
much fear, Notwithstanding their
fustian and buncom be to the con-
-trary, would have instilled some
degree of caution and prevented the
scene of yesterday; the results OF
which, however, much deplored will
prevent that harmony so essential TO
the enactment of proper aud whole
some laws; and insofar as the welfare
of the people is concerned their inter-
ests will be infinitely better pro-
tected by an early adjourn
ment OF the distinguishing body,
which thus far, has succeeded in doing
nothing, save to build up reputation
that reflects anything but honor upon
its members and the people wlom
they allege to represent.
On yesterday in the Senate cham
Der while the bill abolishipg the office
Of
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
was being discussed, a scene ensued
only matched in the annals of legisla-
ton in Texas by the one Wednesday
night and by one which occurred in
the House of the ever memorable
Twelfth Legislature. when the mem
Der from Galveston, Mr.. Ruby, and
the very able representative from,
Heaven only knows where, DR.. Smith,
had spat over who received the most
money for casting vote for certain
measure.
Senator Houston, of Bexar, had
made very elaborate argument in
favor of the continuation OF the Office
of Insurance Commissioner as neces-
sary adjunct to the State Government.
Senator Davis favored the passage
of the bill abolishing the Office, in one
of his characteristic speeches, in which
he took occasion to ridicule the SEN
ator from Bexar, comparing him to a
strutting turkey-gobbler, which great
ly incensed that gentleman, and he
took the floor in reply.
He said that in an experience of
over seven years he had heard MEM
bers of t he Legislature and senators
criticised and the measures they advo-
Gated ridiculed. "But, Mr.. President,
never in my experience have heard
personal ridicule until to-day, when it
was directed at myself by that yellow,
sallow-faced mummy and blackguard,
from Cook, (pointlng his finger at
Davis and l am personally RESPONSE
ble," he continued, amid cries of order
by the President and intense excite
ment in the lobby, while Davis called
out once or twice, "let him proceed.'O
81 am personally responsible, Mr..
President. for what l say either in or
out OF this chamber, or within or out
side of this State. as the blackguard
from Cook may select"
During tho rs4cAnic eruption of the
distinguished Senator, his able col
league. Davis, paced the floor, hands
behind his back, in front of the rail-
ings, and just bshind his seat, ever
and anon sandwiching in an eXclama-
ton. "let him proceed, Mr.. President"
The president vigorously raped the
gavel and called the two gentle
men to order, but not until
he directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to
arrest them, did they subside aud
quiet prevail. By this time several of
the members surrounded the belliger-
emit statesmen while the lobby was
crowded with an anxious throng who
momentarily expected to see the SEN
ate chamber
TAINTED RED"
Senator Gitzendaner, cool and col
lected, hastily obtained the floor and
began an argument on the merits of
the bill under discussion, hoping to
prevent any further SarliKe language
on the part of the excited and belli-
,cose senators, but in this he failed.
The Senator from Cooke did not pro-
pose to be cut off by any such tactics
and gained the floor on question of
privilege. Silence pervaded the Sen
ate and a hushed stiffness brooded
over the anxious throng in the lobby
as Davis rose FROM his seat. He said:
"Mr. PreSident-Any man Who will
take advantage of mis- position upon
the floor of the Senate to insult Sem |
ator. is coward, a poltroon and a |
pusilanimous blackguard, but if |
/ wanted to fight low-down |
blackg uard, can find one /
on the outside, but L don't
intend TO fight here in the. Senate"
at this point Houston jumped up
from his seat and passed from the
Senate into the lobby; saying as he
did so. come OUTSIDE then"
ID svis replied. II will not come out
into crowd where you know they