Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1889-02-07
A SCENE IN THE JOINT ASSEMBLY,
The arad ban From Rttchte.
From The Registers Correspondence.

From The Registers Correspondence
The resolution provided that the speaker
of the House should open and publish the
vote of all the State officers. During the
reading of the resolution and Maxwell's
speech, which was unusually strong and
temperate, the uubridled phenomena from
the wilds of Richie had been chewing his
cud and cudgeling his brains.
The idea had been forced upon him pretty
strongly tia: he was not glittering success
in this particular case, and he felt particular
Is aggrieved at Speaker Woods for refusing
70 eUtertaiU his motion to adjourn, while the
clerk had the floor Under the pretense of
discussing Senator Maxwel's resolution, he
began personal attack upon the Speaker
and the Democratic members.
The rulings of the chair were denounced
as high. handed and revolutionary and the
Speaker charged with violating his oath un-
der the Constitution. Warming up to his
work, Mr.. Morris went on, and such an out
rageous violation of common decency was
never enacted in a joint assembly of this
State before
Mr.. McCreery aud DelegateSprigg object
ed to these personalities.
"What are you going to do about III"
Morris yelled back. There are no rules to
govern this assembly; can do as l please"
The TRADE continued 81 declare that
these measures are revolutionary and calcu-
lated to provoke blood-shed if they are per-
sisted in, the fourth of next March viii see
ourState deluged in blood. Laughter from
the Democrats. And you--you-you-
fools sit there and laugh-laugh like the
fool who iddled while Rome burned. You
are liars in the face of your oaths."
Turning to the Chair he continued to de-
nounce the proceedings in language never
before used in parliamentary body.
Sprigg again objected. 81 insist" he ex
claimed that no man has right to come
here and insult the Speaker in this manner"
1t only intended to make the unruly men,
Der worse. For few minutes excitement
reigned supreme, Morris continued shout
ing and gesticulating, but his voice was
nearly drowned in conflicting calls from
both sides. Suddenly the whole disgraceful
scene was brought to a sudden and unex-
pected conclusion. President Carr had
taken seat on the floor, but had not partic.
ipated in the debate. His eyes were fash
ing when he arose and interrupted Mr.. Nor
ris.
"Mr. Speaker" he exclaimed, Il am
friend to the Senator from Richie, but he
has openly and outrageously insulted the
Chair" Cheers from Democrats and gen.
eral tumult "Mr. Speaker, this thing
must stop If you have not ourage enough
to defend yourself will take it upon my
self to do it and will make it a personal
matter with the Senator from Richie. An
insult like this should be resented, and if l
were you would not stand it."
Again there were loud cheers from the
members and the audience
Morris could not have been more COM
pletely subdued by stroke of lightning
He was cowed by the strength and evident
sincerity of the denunciation which it had
provoked, and during the rest of a few ram
bling remarks, made in an almost inaudible
tone of voice, he was strictly decorous.