Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-24
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE p1sPArcH,I

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArCH.I
WASHINGTON, February 23.-There is a
remarkable disagreement to-day among eye
| witnesses of the ruction last evening be-
tween Senators Blackburn and Chandler as
to whether the former really did take hold
of one ear of the latter, and swing him
around by that member for half minute or
so just to punetuate the Kentucky epithets
he was hurling at him.
The basis of the sensational story was
quietly given out to few Democratic news
papermen by Senator Faulkner, of West
Virginia, who is yet somewhat fresh in the
Senate and therefore not imbued with that
reverence for Senatorial dignity that would
prevent him from transmitting good news
paper story to correspondents of his own
political faith. Senator Faulkner declares
that he did not give out the story as it ap-
pears here and there in the newspapers
There was wordy encounter. There were
bad names called. Chandler told Black
burn that no slavedriver could bulldoze him
and then Blackburn rushed at the Senator
from New Hampshire and proceeded to ex-
haust the entire vocabulary of vicious epi-
thets upon him.
TOOK HIM BY THE HANDLES.
The mooted question is whether Black
burn really did take hold of Chandler's ear.
Mr.. Chandler's ears are decidedly conspic
uous, and it is possible that they offered an
irresistible hold for the brawny Kentuc-
ian's hand just for a moment. But if so,
there is no sign Of the grip to-day, and if
either of Chandler's ears were touched it
must have been with a hand as tender as
mothers.
1t was amusing to everybody but Chand-
Ter to note the curious glances that we're
cast toward that gentleman's ears by all who
passed him, but most especially by the il
quisitive page boysSall of whom apparently
had read the account of the affair as it was
published in morning paper Notwith-
standing the freedom of these ears from
scratches or contusions there are reasons Tor
the belief that one of them was for brief
moment in the grasp of the. Kentucky
slave driver"
All day to-day Senator Faulkner busted
himself among the Senators who were pres
ent in the room of the Committee on Indian
Affairs where the row occurred, all on ac-
count of a refusal of Chandler to give
Blackburn names of persons on whose evil
dence report containing severe criticism
of the Interior Department was forwarded.
He held long and earnest but fruitless con-
versations with Chandler and his colleague,
dared Blackb burn to meet him on the histori-
cal field of Bladensburg. That there was
something more serious than mere war of
words is pretty evident from the serious
movements of the parties most interested.
BLAcKBURN's BRAVERY.
Whatever the truth may be, the incident
has served to recall all of the old stories IN
regard to lack of bravery Senator Blackburn
has exhibited at various times in his career.
Kentuckians who are in the city do not
point with pride to his record in this re-
spect but are rather inclined to assert that
it was in keeping with his prowess that he
would attack a little mite of man like
Chandler. In the opinion Of these Ken
tuckians the long-range battle recently in
dulged in between Blackburn and Judge
Rucker, of Colorado, ended untavorably to
Blackburn. A similar discussion between
him and General Burbridge, of Kentucky,
few years ago, arising out OF the charges
made against the Blackburn family of hav-
ing. attempted to SOW the seeds of the plague
in large cities o. the North during the war,
concluded with a complete backdown on
the part of Blackburn.
Blackburn has had any number of op-
portunities to fight," said a citizen of Louis
vile to the correspondent Of The DIS
PATCH this afternoon, "and somehow he
has crawled out of all of them without a
meeting on the field of honor. l don't think
you will find Kentuckian who will say
that Joe will fight. Years ago Ed Marshall,
a cousin OF the famous Tom Marshall, of our
State, and quite his equal in eloquence, en-
gagged in q campaign against Blackburn
and lampooned him in the most unmerciful
and insulting manner.
JOE WON'T FIGHT.
In one of his speeches he gave an elaborate
dissertation on the destructive properties of
the jaw of the ass, citing, of course, the
noted instance from the Scriptures, as we'll
as from other ancient history, and drew the
conclusion that the efficient qualities o. this
weapon explained why his opponent never
dared to employ any other. About that
time the greenback fallacy was abroad, and
Blackburn went at great length into the
question of finance on the stump. Marshall,
in referring to this, said that Blackburn's
speeches on finance put him in mind OF
swan swimming on the bosom of fathom-
less lake. He hoated along gracefully and
stately, drawing about two inches of water,
wholly unconscious OF the immeasureable
depths beneath him. Another of the oppo-
nents OF Blackburn at another time was
noted and eloquent attorney named Owens.
He was quite the equal of Marshall, and
perfectly fearless. He said everything he
could devise to provoke Blackburn, simply
to test his courage, but Joe took it all with
out protest which could be made ground
for challenge. Oh, we all know that Joe
will not fight, and if Chandler wants to get
the best of him all he has to do is to send
him challenge. You can depend on it,
Joe would get out of it in some way without
a meeting"
Blackburn was only visible on the floor
Of the Senate tor few minutes this morn
ing. and could not be found again during
the day. 1t is stated this evening that all
attempts to patch up peace between the
belligerents have failed. OF course they
will not fight. They will merely not speak
as they pass.