The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-28
Disgraeeful Row in the House
Of Representatives.
Wilson and BeekVith Indulge in a Fight
Over The Lard Bill.
The Democratic Members Enjoy a Family
Row Among Their 0ppOnents-Yul-
Gar EpithetS Exchanged.
Special Dispatches to THE Mons1se CALL.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-The disgraceful
exhibition made in the House of Represent
atives this afternoon is the talk Of Wash
ington tonight. Never before in its history
has the House made such q spectacle of it.
self. The scene Of to-day was only the cul-
mination of the trouble that has been brew
ing for several days. BILLY" Mason, the
Chicago Congressman, resolved himself
Into the champion of Fairbanks & Co.'s
started in to show the Democrats how to
fillbuster, and he outfNbustered the fill
busters. consequently the Republicans
were not in the best of humor to-day.
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois, one Of the Repub-
lican leaders. is naturally an irascible little
McAdoo 3D. of New Jersey made bitter
and sarcastic speech directed at himself.
The Lime Kiln Clubs antics are funny, the
Debating Society on the Stanislaus was
ludicrous and some of the Oklahoma politi-
cal conventions witnessed by the writer
were enough to conyulse dyspeptic and
drive away the blues. but to-day's perform
ances equaled anything in parliamentary
theatricals ever seen on this continent.
Vulgarity was mistaken for wit, and
what was wanted in wit was made up in
laughter. Cannon and MoAdoo exhausted
their vocabulary of epithets. and all would
have been we'll had it not been for the re-
spective friends Of the angry gentlemen.
Mr.. Beckwith of New Jersey thought
that Mr.. Cannon's vulgar language should
be recorded, while Mr.. Wilson OF Washing
ton retorted that Mir. Cannon was all right.
Warm words followed, the lie was passed
and even more opprobrious epithets were
exchanged. The lightweight member from
Washington made pass, which was par
ried by the New Jersey boy, who countered
on Wilson's chest. At this juncture Lehl-
bach Of New Jersey rushed in and at
tempted TO part the Delligerents.
Mr.. Williams of Ohio seized Beckwith
from behind and threw him to his seat with
considerable force. Mr.. Beckwith then
turned his attention to his supposed as
sailant in the rear. Others rushed in and
the prospects seemed good for free-for-all
set-to.
Corpulent Mr. Baker of New York was
accidentally struck by some one who drew
back harder than he hit. This back-hander
took poor Mr.. Baker full ON the abdomen
and Subsequent proceedings interested him
no more"
Morrow OF California and Perkins of
Kansas were in the House barber-shop
when they heard the fearful din Of battle.
The tonsorial artists promptly deserted
their posts of duty and went in to sec the
fun followed by Morrow and Perkins, with
lather on their faces and towels under their
chins.
Ye gods! what a tableau was presented,
take it all in all A cluster OF men pulling,
hauling, clawing the air and pounding at
each other; Morrow and Perkins in their
bibs and lathered faces open mouthed and
amazed, and on the other side of the House
Democrats convulsed with laughter, rolling
in their seats and fairly howling with de-
light. If it could only be dramatized Fun
on the Bristol" would be quito laid in the
shade.
Finally the Sergeant-at-Arms ran up and
grabbed the mace which always stands be-
side Speaker Reed. 1t is stick surmount-
cd with an eagle. The Sergeant-at-Arms
waved it al0ft like magician'S wand. The
effect was soothing; the members took
their seats and soon again all was serene.
McClammy of North Carolina was en-
the floor during the row. McClammy al
ways is when fight is imminent He is
the "Ransy Sniffle" OF the House. A de-
scription of t0-day's scene would be in
complete without mentioning this cele-
brated character ana the part he took.
Lons spells of fever and .ague in Nc
Clammy's youth have conspired, with red
clay and blackberries to stunt his growth.
His height is just five feet. His average
weight lin blackberry season. ninety-five
pounds. Nothing on this earth delights
'ranSy" SO much as fight.
During to-day's melee he busted himself
in most honest endeavor to hear and see
all that transpired. Afterward "Ransy"
was heard telling about how the trouble oc-
CURED. where lie was when it began, and
praised his own conduct during the melee
to group Of correspondents. He related
the minutest details of the affray. His eye
assumed something of a living fire and his
tongue acquired volubility that bordered
upon eloquence.
Mr.. Wilson was seen tonight by the Cali
fornia Associated Press agent. He insists
that Beckwith grossly insuted him, other
wise he would not have struck him. In
everybody's opinion Mr.. Wilson is an un-
offending gentleman, and in to-day's affair
Beckwith must have been the aggressor.