The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-06-28

The presence of policemen had won
dertuily quieting effect, and the tempes,
ceased as quickly as ii started. In about
a minute Sergeant-at-arms Smith ap'
peared at the door, like rainbow after q
thunder storm. His hair was disarranged
but he was smiling and warm.
Anyone killed." asked the reporter.
KILLED? Ha, ha, ha, that's funny
commented Mr.. Smith. "Its awful hot
in there and man tainted away; never
saw such hot room in my life; had
to throw pitcher of water
on him. He is all right
now. Come to, all right. Ha, ha, ha, hot
is it nor? Yes, sir, he just fell down
while making a speech. The officer kept
these men back from the door when we
opened the door a moment to give hin
little air."
Later it was learned that the Virginia
row started between Wise and Malone.
While Malone delegate, Colonel Allen,
was talking, Brady and Wise frequently
interrupted. Malone and Vice were sit
ting not more than five feet apart on the
same side of the table. Wise said some
thing in an undertone to Malone, which
no one caught but the little brigadier, who
at once jumped up and reached for
Wise. The latter lit out for Malone, but
members sitting between them prevented
any damage. Both were talking excitedly,
but attention was in a moment diverted
from them by Congressman Libbey, one
of the anti-Mahone men, who struck
Allen. Accounts differ but most of the
members seemed to think Allen was hit.
He was still on his feet and Libbey
shouted at him
Damn you-you"
The assailed man struck back
and in moment the widest
confusion prevailed. Several of the
Malone people went for Libby and bore
him to floor. All the negroes in the room
took part and a mass of arms and legs
in motion was such that peacemaking
members hardly dared to approach. 1t
was in fact the beginning of an old
fashioned Virginia fight.
Don't touch mel" roared one of the
men in the midst of the melee. Ex-con-
gresham Brady, who is himself pug
nacious, was one of Wise's followers, for
whom the Malone heuchmen seemed to
feel the greatest animosity.
"Don't let Brady get away" yelled
voice that sounded like Mahones, and
rush was at once made for him. pair
of western men at once closed in and
saved Brady from much harm. The
peacemakers finally succeeded in pulling
most of the fighters apart, but it was not
until the policeman at the door, who
rushed in, had cracked several
negro heads with his club. One
man, said to be named Mott
was especially ugly and could
not be quieted till Sergeant.at- arms
Smith seized him by the throat, exclaim
ing:
"Stop! Stop"
He threw him half across the room.
When the semblance of order was restored,
two or three members were standing on
the table. The policemen and sergeant
alarms had squads of beligerents under
their care, while Chairman Hepburn was
keeping a close eye on Malone and Wise.
Wise expressed regret at the occurrence,
explaining that slurs had been cast on
him that were unbearable.
Mr.. Libbey also spoke half
anologetically, saying in the heat of the
moment he thought Allen was striking at
Wise, but he did not think he himself had
really hit Allen. The committee felt that
something OF this kind was necessary.
Several members had proposed to expel
Libbey, and if he had not made this ex-
planation he would undoubtedly have been
expelled. The desire to avoid publicity
however, was strong. 1t was agreed that
the row should be kept secret.