Evening star., 1886-07-16
Personal EncOunter Between Repre-.
sentattves Cobb and Laird.

"A OLNSAIAON Al THE CAF1IOL.
Personal Encounter Between Repre-.
sentatives Cobb and Laird.
COBB HEAVY BLOW ON THE MOUTH AND
NOSE.
Quite sensation was created In the House
this afternoon by a personal encounter between
Representatives Cobb, OF Indiana, and Laird, of
Nebraska, growing out of the charges made by
the former on the floor of the House to the effect
tnat the Nebraska membe had been concerned
In land ring. Representative Payson, of IIli-
nois. member Of the public lands committee,
was explaining to Representative Gilfillan the
effect of certain Senate amendments to q bill
Intended to protect the rights of homestead
settlers when Representative Laird leaned from
his seat toward the party and asked why "You
fellows" (referring to the public lands commit
tee) 'do not do something TO break up the land
north"
Mr.. Payson replied that that was what the
committee was endeavoring TO do.
Mr. Cobb undertook TO defend the committee,
OF which he Is the chairman ana some angry
passages occurred between him and Mr.. Laird,
the former a liar.
Witnesses say that Mr.. Cobb declared that
MI. Lara did not dare TO come outside and re-
peat his language.
Mr.. Laird is said to have replied that the
gentleman could not get out soon enough for
nlm. with this the pair started through the
lobby into the basement. Some one called
Mr.. Paysons attention TO their exit, with the
s!atement s,shs Int, that they were going outside to
through the doorway and coming up with the
would com batants Oh the stairway caught
him tor pursuing 50 bOyish anu foolish course.
He succeeded in getting Mr.. Cobb " retrace
ms steps AS far as the west door OF the lobby,
MI Laird following, when the controversy
broke out afresh.
Recurring to the charges Mr. Cobb had made
aird nnr n,n m speech several days ago, Mr.
Mr. Un6b rejoined that Mr.. Laird was "a 49,
per- urer.' bu. the word, had hardly passed his
lips ueIure Mr.. Laird struck him u heavy blow
on the mouth aud nose.
stream Of blood trickled down Mr.. Cobb's
lace and he was thrown backward against the
doorway. A crowd which mad collec ed inter-
posed at this juncture and the Oa ants sepa-
rated Mr.. Laird taxing his seat in the House
and Mr.. Laird reclining in an easy chair i'm tine
lobby, where Le Was surrounded by friends.
THE BAD FEELING BETWEEN THE TWO MEN,
BERS
dates back some months, and it was apparent
on the occasion when MIR. Cobb made his
charges against Mr.. Laird some three weeks
ago that the last named member with great
difficulty restrained from emphasizing with his
fist the indignant denial and defiance he
hurled at his antagonist. There is every reason
to believe that Ii interference had not come in
on the troubled waters that sanguinary per-
sonal combat would have resulted. Both of the
members concerned are Of powerful physique,
and bear the reputation OF men ready at all
times to defend themselves in fitting manner.
Mr.. Cobb stands SIX feet and over in his shoes,
aud is of propor,Icnate BREADTH but is some,
what at a disadvantage on the score of age.
being 90 years old. Mr.. Laird is but 81 years oi
ageewith girth of chest that would ornament
the other hand, he is also, slightly lame the
result OF a fracture OF the leg year or two ago.
Neither Of the members is willing to make a
statement at this time, and
THE PROBABLE UPSHoT OF THE ENCOUNTER
is matter of speculation among their brother
members. The opinion is expressed that the
House of Representatives has been outraged by
the affray, and that IL is fitting subject for
investigation by that body, but majority of
t he meInoer VINO are disposed to talk about
The matter hold that as the encounter did not
occur on the floor, the House is in no wise con-
cerued In 1t.
thought the matter would so no further.
District In Congress-.
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS DISGUSrED
The District Commissioners speak in words
OF Sad disappointment of their experience in
Congress yesterday in their efforts to get i'm.
pOrtanL legislation for the District That
measures which interest comparatively but |
few persons, AS cOrporatOrs, or single indiyid-
uais should command the entire attention of
the House to the exclusion of bills that interest
the whole community Is certainly, they say, |
They state, however, that they
will make one effort more to secure another
day. when they hope for recognition to secure |
the passage OF certain bills which seem indis- |
penSable for the good OF the District.
TO TRACTION RAILROAD BIIL
The opponents to the traction railroad bill |
flibustered yesterday until the hour for ad- |
journment arrived thus defeating that and all |
other District measures for the day. Amend |
ments ~ the traction railroad We're adopted |
farn nf .na,r
making II unlawful for the company to consoli- |
date with any otner railway company.
INCREASING THE SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS
The Senate District committee were in session |
only about ten minutes to-day. An amend |
ment to the deficiency appropriation bill appro-
priating 81 $40 for the rent of buildings for |
public school purposes, necessary because of |
the notice to vacate the building mentioned in |
sundry civil appropriation bill to appropriate |
S25, 900 for new school buildings in the District
were ordered tavorabiy reported.
Capitol Topics.
A NOMINATION WITHDRAWN
At the instance OF Missouri Congressman the |
President has withdrawn the nomination of |
AdOlph Lippman of Missouri to be q commits
sioner of Alaska. It is char rged that Lippman
ran away from Missouri under Indictment aud /
made over his property to defraud creditors
LABOR BILLS PASSED IN THE HOUSE
The House at last nights session passed the |
following labor bills: To protect mechanics, |
aborers and servants in the District of Column
bia in their wages; providing for the payment
Of per diem government employees for Decora-
ton day and the Fourth of July; to prevent the
employment OF convict labor and alien labor /
upon public buildings and other public works:
amending the act TO prohibit the importation
aud immigration OF foreigners and aliens under
contract or agreement ~ perform labor In the |
United States; directing the commissioner of |
labor 10 make an investigation in regard to con.
vict labor in the United States. The bill ex. |
lending the provisions Of the eight-hour law to |
etter-carriers gave rise to some opposition and |
pending action the House, at II o'clock. ad- +!
|ourned.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Vance presented q |
petition from d. r. GoOdioe, asking compensa-
Lion tor the manuscript OF u cOmpila; ;ion (made /
by him) Of the Internal revenue laws, which 1
was lost after being sent TO the committee ON /
printing.
The democrats Of the tenth Georgia district |
Congress.
In the Senate yesterday Mr. McMillan's mo- /
lion to horizontally reduce the appropriations
10 the river and harbOr bill gave rise to a debate
ID winch the chances OF presidential veto
were discussed.
Representative Beach Is reported TO be better. /
and his physician does not think he will die.
-<O>-
Mr.. PowDERLY NOT IN PoLITIcs.-Master |
orkman Powderly Is seeking rest and recu-
peration at Atlantic City, n. ]. Being asked |
about the mention of his name in connection
1f Pennsylvania Mr.. POwderly is quoted by an /
Atlantic City special saying: 81 have stated l
repeatedly that have nothing whatever to do /
with politics, aud do not intend to. / have an
'wered the question a. to my candidacy ior the 1
hundred times, and am sick
of Am and irr n