The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-03-07
CHANDLER CHASTISED.
THE TRUE STORY OF THE SENA-
TORIAL EAR-PULLiNG.
The Provocation---Senato Biackburn's
Resentment---He Uses his Opponent
as Battering Ram.

as Battering Ram.
1t is stated by Senators Cullom and
Platt that the reports OF this affair APP
pearing in last Saturdays New York
papers were gross exaggerations. This
statement of it, however, by the special
correspondent of the Baltimore ~San, is
probably correct.
The facts as they are reported, place
Mr.. Chandler in the unenviable atti-
tude ola man bold enough and brave
enough to grossly insult another, and
then too cowardly to resent personal
indignity which it is exceedingly rare
for the most craven to submit to. The
Senate Select Committee on Indian
Traders, of which Mr.. Chandler is chair
man, was organized to convict. The
only purpose of raising the committee
was to throw discredit on the Cleveland
Administration in connection with the
appointment of Indian Traders, and to
connect Secretary Villas personally with
improper and corrupt transactions af-
fecting the Indians. Through the
whole course of the investigation this
purpose on the part of Mr.. Chandler,
without regard to the facts or testimo-
ny, has been apparent.
On Friday last MIR. Chandler read
to the committee the report which he
proposed to submit to the Senate. Its
statements were SO manifestly wide Of
the truth, its conclusions of such ex-
traordinary injustice, its allegations as
to the testimony of witnesses SO out
|rageously false, that Mr.. Blackbrn, as
an honorable and just man, was forced
to protest. He was met with sneers
and remarks of derlsion, and reitera
ton of the assertions which Mr.. Chand-
Ter and every member of the commit
tee knew to be totally devoid of foun
dation. Amazed and Indignant, Mr..
Blackburn used strong and forcible
language to express his estimation Of
such conduct, and was not sparing IN
his characterization of one who could
be guilty of it. 1twas then Mr.. Chand-
ler, who is perpetually buzzing and
darting the stings of insolence and
irony, said in his most offensive tones
81 am not to be lntimidated or bull
dozed by Kentucky slavedriyer."
All the hot blood of the Krntuckian
flew into his face and for an instant he
was perfectly livid. Back it receeded,
and he was ghastly pale. Springing
like bolt from his chair trembling
all over, he faced Chandler, and pour
ed upon his head the entire vocabula-
ry of denunciation, sacred and pro-
fame. His gestures were threatening,
but he had not yet put his finger on
the creature who sat covering under
him. Chandler gasped out, "Don t
you dare to touch me- "No," said
Blackburn, "you contemtible puppy,as
you will not get out OF your seat |
shall not strike YOU" The words were
scarcely uttered before the ear of
Chandler was in contentious grip be-
tween the fingers of Blackburn. 1t
was tweaked, but not violently, but as
1 one would kick a cur. Mr. Blackburn
did not strike Mr. Chandler, he did no
bodily injury to him, ,and this, perhaps,
lis the reason why Mr.. Chandler says
he "was not the subject Of battery
Mr.. Blackburn has been represented
in one account as lifting Mr.. Chand-
ler out of his chair and making ready
to dash him against the wall.
Most men would prefer to be dashed
against the wall, but in all probability
Mr.. Chandler had he-choice of treat
ment. He made no response when
Blackburn, still holding his ear, said,
elf you were not such contemplate
coward l would kick you Gut of this
room," but sat with an ecstatic express
sion of martyrdom on his countenance
wonderful to behold. Like all similar
scenes sprung without expectation, the
intense excitement of the"ocCasion al
most dazed those who witnessed it, and
it was moment or two before they re-
allied what was gong on. Senator
Faulkner was the first to recover him
self He Immediately got up, went to
Mr.. Blackburn, and in calm but con.
vincing tone said to him that the
scene had gone tar enough and should
be stopped. He said to Mr.. Blackburn
that it would not be becoming in him
as a man of honor and courage to pur
sue the matter any further. Mr.. Black
burn, with the flush of his passion still
upon him, recognized at once the force
of the remark.
He said, "Faulkner you are right
and, turning from Chandler with Z
withering glance, he abruptly returned
to his seat. The recuperative power
of the New Hampshire Senator wer'
marvellous. The Kentucky Senator hae
' scarcely resumed his chair before h
r proceeded with the business Of the com
D mittee, and it was some time after
j wards that he declared it adjourned
n Mr.. Blackburn remained until the ses
T sion of the committee closed, but onI
4 L -