The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-07-24

A disgraceful row occurred during
the session of the House OF Represan-
tatives 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 yerv
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 Gilfillan, of Minnesota,
about the effect OF certain amend
meGts made by the Senate to House
bill to protect the rights of homestead
settlers. Mr.. Laird sat two seats back
OF Judge Payson. He had a news
paper slip IN which it was alleged that
there was corrupt land ring operating
successfully IN certain portions OF the
south. 1t Is inferred that the other
gentlemen 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 a case in
the South as quickly as he would one
In the Northwest or any other section.
Lard retorted with rising temper:
You are q a- liar; you know -
Well you wouldn't" Cobb then said.
while Laird was still talking: "You
dare not give me thelie elsewhere than
on the floor Of this house. You know
you are safe in doing it here, sir"
Lard then challenged him: Come
outside and see whether I 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
Lard called Cobb q - old liar, and
Cobb retorted by calling Laird blank
olanked Derjurer. The words had not
passed his lips before the Nebraskan
dealt Cobb a frightful blow in the
mouth, which knocked him against a
Coor-lam on which he caromed and
staggered back into Payson's arms.
Payson bolstered him up stoutlv and
other bystauders took Laird in hand
aud hOstllitics were thus STONED.
Both gentlemen were thoroughly mad,
but their friends prevented them from
getting into close quarters again. Mr..
Coob was led into the members pri-
Vate room back of the lobby, where
h7 repaired his damage as far as he
could, Blood flowed copiously from
an ugly cut on his upper lip made by
large seal ring on Laird hand. Laird
returned to the floor OF the House
where he was soon surrounded by his
personal friends, who congratulated
hlm warmly upon the prowess he had
displayed. Mr.. Cobbsoon returned to
the floor also, where his friends gath
cred around him, among them Senator
VOORHEES,, who had heard of the en-
counter, and hastened to the House to
see about it. All were naturally anx-
lous to learn the details of the affair.
Judge Payson put in two hours telling
members about it, and finally left the
House to avoid further repetitions.
Attempts We're made to get an adjust
ment OF the difficulty to prevent fur
ther 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
ton for a moment.