The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-28
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
Why Wilson Was Named John L.-Much
Ado by McAdoo.


Ado by McAdoo.
WASHINGTON CITY, Aug. 27.-When the
House met this morning the opponents of
the lard bill, led by Mason of Illinois, at
once began flibustering. The i'll feeling
developed led to n personal affray this aft
ernoon between Beckwith of New Jersey
and Wilson of Washington. The roll was
being called upon the ruling by Speaker
Reed respecting the calling to order of Cam
non of Illinois by Enioe of Ten
nesse for words spoken in de-
bate. Mason was criticising
Cannon for the tone of his remarks, to
which Enloe objected. Between them sat
Beckwith and Wilson, on either side OF
Lehlbach. They all took part soto pocc in
the controversy, when suddenly Wilson
and Beckwith were seen to rise and the for
mer struck at the latter, lightly touching
him on the breast. Lehlbach spraug be-
tween them and Wilson was un-
able to reach around him. Will
Jams of Ohio. anxious to stop
the affray, seized Beckwith from behind
and forced HIM to his seat with considera-
BILE vigor. At this Beckwith turned his at
tention to the supposed assailant in the
rear, and it required the efforts of two or
three Republicans to prevent a collision.
Williams succeeded in assuring Beckwith
that he had no hostile intention, and the
latter resumed his seat.
The incident was over in few seconds
and added but little to the excitement
then existing on the floor. but it was an
occasion for jeering laughter among the
Democrats who witnessed it.
The eagle and mace of the sergeant-at-
arms were hurriedly borne to the scene Of
the conflict, and at its appearance oil was
quiet.
Wilson said afterwards in exclamation of
the difficulty that Beckwith had applied a
most offensive epithet to him, and on the
spur of the moment he struck at him.
McAdoo attacked Cannon's resolution
bitterly. What right lad the latter, he
asked, to indict his peers and hold them
up to the country as leaving the hall for
the purpose of evading responsibility
After ridiculing Cannon's craftsmanship
and historical knowledge. he cast his store
of ridcule upon Cannon's love for the
farmer.
Cannon rose to reply. He admitted that
he was not a great statesman, and also ad-
mitted the superiority of the gentleman
from New Jersey. His friends abounded
in one thing, and that was wind, and under
pressure it went out. loud laugnterl
There was instantly great confusion and
disorder. McAdoo shouted out that hs
wanted the words to go upon the record as
specimens of Cannon's vulgarity.
Caruth of Kentucky suggested the propri-
ETY. of clearing the galleries of ladies.
Again McAdoo shouted to Cannon.
If you can afford to let that go on record ~ Q
specimen of your stable-jockey wit. I can af-
ford to have it there / cannot afford to in
dulge in blackguardism with you You ought
to argue with stable jockeys. That's your size.
Later in the day Cannon apologized, say.
ing he hoped the vulgar construction
would not be put upon it.
The speaker then stated that the vots re-
CURED upon the question of sustaining the
decision of the speaker holding the busi-
ness to be unfinished business.
McAdoo rose to question of privilege.
The gentleman from Illinois (Cannon) had
made what he called an explanation, but
what he (McAdoo) and those around him
considered an additional attack upon him.
He asked for two minutes in which to re.
ply, but at the speakers request he with
held his remarks for the present.
On sustaining the decision the House was
once more left without quorum. The two
minutes granted McAdoo were then ac-
corded. He said he had hoped the gentle
man from Illinois. by frank and manly
statement, would have purged himself OF
every suspicion of having injected vulgarity
into the debate, bat he had not done so. A
gentleman was justified under no circum-
stances in ever descending to vulgar, ins
decent and blackguard remarks, or re-
marks that could be construed as such.
Cannon said he could add nothing 70
what he had said. He had disclaimed say.
ing anything that would wound the feel.
ings of the most delicate.
A call of the house was ordered and dis
closed the presence of 1913 members. A
motion to dispense with further proceed
ings was lost.
Brosius offered resolution for the ar.
rest of absentees, directing the sergeant-at-
arms to telegraph for absentees and revok-
ing all leaves of absence except those
granted fer Illness. Agreed to. Adjourned.