Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-06-26
That Ear Pr'''lg.

IAot Ao1
Senator Cos ,der having pub shed let
ter to the people of his State denying the
fact that Senator Blackburn pulled b ear,
Senator Faulkner, of w; 1t Virginia, an i'm
partial eye witness of the incident makes
The following reply through the New York
Huald
After reading the auth riLative statement
of Mr.. Chandler and noting the spirit in
which it is given out, the impu,ation: not
only cast upon The democratic press, but
upon the democratic members Of shat CON-
mittee, and the attempt upon bis part TO
present MIR Blackburn Ia the ludicrous
and discredtabe attitude Of bully, l feel
that in lustice 10 what conceive to be the
truth it should be frankly and without heei
ation given TO the public personally. re-
gret the necessity Of being involved in this
controversy since it has reached the public,
especially as the relations bet~een Mr.
Chandler and myself during Inc last two
sessions Of the Senate bage been personally
friendly. The following extract, which [
herewith clip from Mr.. Chambers statement,
is substantially correct as lar as it goes, ard
will save repetition on my part =
1.-THE committee was in session, no per
son being present except the FIVE members
and the clerk As chairman | was reading
the draft of the report. Senator Faulkner
remarked that he thought Undertook, in
certain paragraph, to assert something which
it had been mutually agreed should not be
claimed. l said that did not think so and
that ] would reaG the clause again. Mr..
Black bnrn vehementIy intorveneG ard said
that I wfs certainly violating the under
standing, snd that it would so appear if
read the paragraph sgain aud read 1t exact.
ly as did before.
81 asked him what reason he hed for in
timatiDg that would falsely read he para
graph. He replied that ne thought so be-
cause it would bs like my whole action in
the case, anG thai hs considered me capable
Of doing anything &c serve partisan pur-
pose Then eDsued an angry colicquy,
which 1 cannot undertake 10 produce with
accuracy | said thstI reseD' I'd his imputa
ton and he replied defantly, At some
point he made charge on my official ipteg-
rity and / made most bitter imputations
upon him. do not remember the order Of
sequence Then be, making some threat of
personal violence IHo not recall the wcrds),
started around Senator Faulkner, who was
beside him, toward the end of the table,
where l eat with Senator Cullom at my
right. l said that he did not dare to do
what he had threatened
"In this statement" Senator Faulkner
continued, "Mr. Chandler fails TO repeat the
offensive utterance made by him which so
angertd Mr. Blackburn. 1t WIS this: I do
not propose to re bulldozsd by any Ken.
tucky negro driver When heard that ex
HLn-ll1r nn1t t,1 1ooLr
at Mr.. Blackburn, who was cn my left, to
see its effect upon him. His lace manifested
the most intense excitement and almost un-
comfortable rage, and appreciated the fact
at once that the wor5y controversy between
these two gentlemen was to be brought TO
prompt conclusion.
"Mr. Blackburn, in moment or two
arose from his chair, at the same time inti-
mating his purpose TO make personal as
sault upon Mr.. Chandler. He walked
around nv chair to the head of the table,
where Mr.. Chandler continued to sit with
ont the chsuge of muscle or the utterance
of word. Mr. Chandler is mistaken when
he says that at this point of the controversy
either Senator Cullom or myself interposed
between him and Mr.. Blackburn.
"Mr. Black br-n stood over Mr.. Chandler's
chair some moments using language which
would convey to the mind of anyone the
doubt existing in bis own mind as to what
course he should pursue, inasmuch as Mr..
Chandler still remained seated, and it was
impossible for Blackburn to strike him
which was manfestly bis Durpose-in that
postion. A moments reflection seems to
nave decided him, and to the best OF my
recollec ection and belief he used the expres-
sion Damn you, car't strike you while
YOU are sitting down, but I can show my
contempt for you by twisting your ear
Accompanying that remark with the &C.
ton, ne caught him by the upper part OF the
ear and gave it a contemptuous twist; not
apparently with view to personally inJure
Mr.. Chandler, but as supposed at the time
to cast an indignty upon him. Seeing that
MIR. Chandler made no resistance TO the ac-
ton of Mr.. Blackburn, | rose from my seat,
pressed Mr.. Blackburn and said: Mr.. Black.
burn, as Mr. Chandler has not seen bit to re.
sent what you have done to him your own
honor and manhood demand that you should
NOT either By word or act interfere further
with him.
"Mr. Blackburn therefore replied, 'Fsulk-
ner, you are right. TlIgo to my seat Sen.
ator CuiIum was at the time endeavoring to
oniet matters. Senator Blackburn, at my
request, agreed that he would take 10 tur.
ther part 10 the discussion of Mr.. Chandls sr's
report, leaving the matter entirely to me.
I SIN not willing to state that Senator Plat
saw the transaction ss describe, because
of the position be then occupied in the room,
but from the position taken by Senator Cul
INN. / am satisfied that what saw he must
necessarily have seen slso."
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