Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-07-21
A SLUGGING MATCH
Between Our Nations Law-makers-Rep-
resentatives Cobb, of Indians, and
Laird, of Nebraska, $50 for" Each
Other in the House Lobby = First
Blood for the West.

A disgraceful row occurred during
the session of the House of Repre-.
sentatives at Washington on the 10th,
between Cobb, Of Indiana, and Laird,
of Nebraska. Bad blood has existed
between the two for some time, and
trouble has been averted with diff
Guilty. The affair came about very
Unexpectedly. Chairman Cobb was
over on the Republican side talking
with Judge Payson, of Illinois, a mem
Der of the public lands committee,
and Representative Gilfllan, of Mime
sofa, about the effect of certain
amendments made by the Senate to a
House bill to protect the rights OF
homestead settlers. Mr.. Laird sat
two seats back of Judge Payson. He
had a newspaper slip in which it was
alleged that there was q corrupt land
ring operating successfully In GER
ton portions of the South. It
is inferred that the other gentle
men had been apprised of the
nature of the charges in this clipping.
Laird leaned over his desk and said /:
"Why don't you fellows do something
to break up these Southern land
rings? You are - rank to ride us
in the Northwest Chairman Cobb
replied quickly that both he and his
committee would investigate O. case in
the South as quickly as he would one
in the Northwest or any other section.
Laird retorted with rising temper
"Yon are a-liar you know well
you wouldn't" Cobb then said, while
Laird was still talking: "You dare
not give me the lie elsewhere than on
the floor Of this house. You know you
are safe in doing it here, SIR" Laird
then challenged him: "Come outside
and see whether | dare. You can't
get out quick enough for me.''
Both men went into the lobby, fol
lowed by number of friends, who in
terfered and separated them. Return
Ing to the chamber, however, they
came to close quarters again, when
Laird called Cobb q - old liar, and
Cobbretorted by calling Laird blank
blanked perjurer. The words had not
passed his lips before the Nebraskan
dealt Cobb frightful blow in the
mouth, which knocked him against a
door-jam on which he caromed and
staggered back into Payson's arms.
Payson bolstered him up stoutly and
other bystanders took Laird in hand
and hostilities were thus stopped.
Both gentlemen were thoroughly mad,
but their friends prevented them from
getting into close quarters again. Mr..
Cobb was led into the members pri-
vate room back of the lobby, where
he repaired his damage as far as he
could. Blood flowed copiously from
an ugly cut on his upper lip made by a
large seal ring on Laird's hand. Laird
returned to the floor of the House
where he was soon surrounded by his
personal friends, who congratulated
him warmly upon the prowees he had
displayed. Mr.. Cobb soon returned
to the floor also, where his friends
gathered around him, among them
Senator VOORHEES,, who had heard
Of the encounter, and FASTENED
to the House to see about
it. All were naturally anxious
to learn the details of the affair. Judge
Payson put in Two hours telling mem
bers about it, and finally left the
House to avoid further repetitions.
Attempts were made to get an adjust
ment of the difficulty to prevent fur
Their troubles, but Mr.. Cobb said he
would not apologize because he had
nothing to apologize for, and Laird
was too mad TO consider the PROPOSE
tiOn for moment.