The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-07-17
DISGRACEFUL.
A Couple of Congressman
Come to Blows,
AND LOUDLY handy EPITHETS.
Crawford VS.. Crawford and Dixie
San Francisco Car strike-He
Died Easily.
DISGRACEFUL.
md LOUDLY handy EPITHETS.
congressman Fight in the Lobby.

congressman Fight in the Lobby.
WAsHIseToS, July 16.-Quite sensa-
ton was created in the House this after
noon by personal encounter between
Representatives Cobb. of Indiana, and
Laird, of Nebraska, growing out of
charges made by the former on the
floor Of the House to the effect that the
Nebraska member had been concerned
in a land ring. Representative Payson.
of Illinois, member of the public lands
committee, was explaining to Repre-
sentative Gillhllan the effect of certain
Senate amendments to the bill intended
70 protect the rights OF the homestead
settlers, when Representative Laird
leaned forward from his seat toward
the party and asked: why do not
you fellows (referung to the public
lands committee) do something to break
up the land rings in the south instead
Of raiding upon the north2"
Payson replied that was what the
committee was endeavoring to do.
Cobb undertook to defend the COM
mittee of which he was chairman, and
an angry passage occurred between him
and Laird, which ended by the latter
gentleman calling the former a liar.
Witnesses say that Cobb declared that
Laird did not dare to come outside and
repeat his language. Laird is
said to have replied that the
gentleman could not 90 out
soon enough for him. With this the
pair started into the lobby and to the
basement. Some one called Mr.. Pay
sons attention to their exit with the
statement that they were going out
side to hight it out. Thereupon Mr..
Payson hurried through the doorway
and coming up with the would-be COM
batants on the stairway, caught Cobb
by the collar and demonstrated with
him for pursuing so boyish and foolish
a course. He succeeded in getting
Cobb to retrace his steps so far as the
ing. when the controversy broke out
afresh.
Referring to the charges Cobb had
made against him in a speech several
weeks ago. Laird sngrily declared that
he Cobb was q liar.
Cobb said Laird was a perjurer, but
the words had hardly passed his lips be-
fore Laird struck him heavy blow on
the mouth and nose. A stream Of
blood trickled down Cobb's face, and
he was thrown backward against the
doorway. The crowd which had COR
gregated interposed at this juncture,
and the cOmbatants separated, Laird
taking his seat in the House and Cobb
reclining in an easy chair in the lobby,
where he was surrounded by his friends.
The bad feeling between the two mem
bers dates back some months, and it
was apparent on the occasion when
COBB made his charges against Laird,
haN h. fau
named member with great difficulty re-
framed from emph sizing with his fist
the indignant denial and defiance he
hurled at his antagonist. There was
every occasion 10 believe that if inter
ference had come in the shape Of Pay
son, who sought to pour oil on
the troubled waters, that q san
culinary personal encounter 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 a
fitting manner. Cobb stands six feet
and over in his shoes and is of proper
tional breadth, but is somewhat at
disadvantage on the score of age, being
in the neighborhoOd Of 5S or 60. Laird
is but 81 (37O years, with girth OF
chest that would ornament an athlete,
and fiery, impetuous temper. On the
other hand, ne Is also slightly lame, the
result of a fracture of leg year ago.
Neither of the members are willing to
make statement at this time, and the
probable upshot Of the encounter
The opinion is expressed in some
quarters that the House of Represents
tives has been outraged by the affray,
and that it is a fitting subject for inyes-
tigation by that body; That majority
of the members who are disposed TO
talk about the matter hold that as the
encounter did not occur on the focr
the House is in nowise concerned.