St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-17

Representative Payson of Illinois, a men,
Der OF the public lands committee, was eX-
planning to Representative Giltillan the eff
feet of certain senate amendments to bill
intended to protect the rights of homestead
settlers, when Representative Laird leaned
from his seat toward the party and asked:
why do not you fellows referring to the
public lands committee) do something to
break up the land rings in the South instead
of raiding upon the North?" Mr.. Payson
replied that that was what the committee
was endeavoring to do. Mr.. Cobb I'M
dertook to defend the committee of which
he was chairman, and an angry passage
occurred between him and Mr.. Laird, which
ended by the latter gentleman calling the
former liar. Witnesses say that Mr. Cobb
declared that Mr.. Laird
DID NOT DARE TO COME OUTSIDE
and repeat his language. Mr.. Laird is said
to have replied that the gentleman could
not get out soon enough for him. With
this the pair started through the lobby into
the basement, when some one called Mr..
PaysOn'S attention to their exit, with the
statement that they were going outside to
fight it out" Thereupon Mr.. Payson hur-
ried through the doorway, and, coming up
with the wOuld-be combatants on the stair
way, caught Mr.. Cobb by the collar and re-
monstrated with him for pursuing so boyish
a course. He succeeded in getting Cobb to
retrace his steps as far as the west door of
the lobby, MIR. Laird following. when the
controversy broke out afresh. Referring to
the charges Mr.. Cobb had made against
him in speech several weeks ago, Mr.
Laird angrily declared that he (Cobb) was
- liar" Mr.. Cobb rejoned that
Mr.. Laird was 60 periurern
but the word hardly passed his lips before
Mr.. Laird struck him heavy blow on the
mouth and nose,
A STREAM OF BLOOD
flowed down McCobb's face. and he was
thrown against the doorway. A crowd
which had collected interfered at this
iuncture, and the combatants separated,
Mr.. Laird taking his seat in the house and
MI. Cobb reclining in an easy chair in the
lobby, where ne was surrounded by friends
The bad feeling between the two members
dated back some months and it was appar-
ent on the occasion when Mr.. Cobb made
his charges against Mr.. Laird some three
weeks ago. that the last named member
with great difficulty remained from empha-
sizing with his fist the indignant denial and
defense he hurled at his antagonist. There
was every reason to believe that if inter-
ference had not come in the shape of Mr..
dy SOU, WHO Sought 10 pour OIL 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,
and is of proportionate breadth, but is
somewhat at disadvantage on the score of
age being in the neighborhood of So or 80
years old. Mr.. Laird is but 81 years old,
with grth of chest that would ornament
any athlete, and fiery, impetuous temper.
On the other hand he is also slightly lame.
the result of fracture of leg a year or
two ago. Neither of the members are
willing to make statement at this time,
and
THE PROBABLE UPSHOT
of the encounter is a is a matter of specula-
ton among the other members. The
opinion is expressed in some quarters that
the house of representatives has been out
ragged by the affray, and that it is fitting
subject for investigation by that body.
But majority of the members who are
disposed to talk about the matter hold that,
as the encounter did not occur in the house,
it is in no wise concerned in it.