Los Angeles herald., 1890-08-28
BLOWS IN CONGRESS.
Disgraceful Scenes on the
Floor of the House.
A Personal Encounter Between
Two Members.
Wilson, of Washington, Strikes Beck
with, Of New Jersey.
Cannon, of Illinois, Uses Vulgar Language
in Debate.-The Senator's Drink
Supply.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches
WASHINGTON, August 27.-When the
house met this morning the opponents
of the lard bill led by Mason of Illinois,
at once began filibustering. Ill feeling
was developed which led to a personal
af,ray this afternoon between Repre-
sentative Beckwith, of New Jersey, and
Representative Wilson, of Washington.
The roll was being called upon ruling
by Speaker Reed, respecting the calling
to order of Representative Cannon, of
Illinois, by Representative Enloe, of
Tennessee, for words spoken in debate.
Representative Mason was criticising
Cannon for the tone of the remark to
which Enloe objected. Between them
sat Representatives Beckwith and Will
son, on either side of Representative
Lehlbach. They all took part, soto yoce,
in the controversy, when suddenly Will
sen and Beckwith were seen to rise, and
the former struck at the latter, lightly
touching him on the breast.
Lehlbach sprang between them and
Wilson was unable to reach around him.
Representative Williams of Ohio,
anxious to stop the affray, seized Beck
with from behind and forced him to his
seat with considerable vigor. At this
Beckwith turned his attention to his
supposed assailant in the rear, and it
required the efforts OF two or three Re-
publicans to prevent collision. Will
1iams succeeded in assuring Beckwith
that he had no hostile intentions, and
the latter resumed his seat. The presi-
dent was over in few seconds and
added but little to the excitement then
existing on the floor, but it was the
occasion of jeering and laughter among
the Democrats, who witnessed it. The
eagle and mace of the sergeant-at-arms
were hurriedly borne to the scene of
conflict, and at its appearance all was
quiet. Wilson said afterwards in ex-
planation of the difficulty, that Beck
with had applied a. most offensive
epithet to him, and ON the spur of the
moment he had struck him.
Cannon Uses Vulgar Language.
McAdoo attacked Cannon's resolution
indict his peers and hold them up to
the country as leaving the hall for the
purpose of evading responsibility
After ridiculing Cannon's statesman
ship and historical knowledge, he cast
his store of ridicule upon Cannon's love
for the farmer.
Cannon rose to reply. He admitted
that he was not great statesman, and
also admitted the superiority of the
gentleman from New Jersey. His friend
abounded in one thing, and that was
wind, and under pressure it went out.
[Laughter
There was instantly great confusion
and disorder.
McAdoo shouted out that he wanted
the words to 60 upon the record as
specimen OF Cannon's vulgarity.
Caruth suggested the propriety of
clearing the galleries of ladies'.
Again McAdoo shouted out to Can
non: eff you can afford to let that go on
the record as specimen Of your stable
Jockey wit, can afford to have it there.
l cannot indulge in blackguardism with
you. You ought to argue with stable
jockey. That is your size"
An Inadequate Apology.
Later in the day, Cannon apologized
for his statement. saying he hoped a
vulgar construction would not be put
upon it.
The speaker then stated that the vote
required upon the question of sustaining
the decision OF the speaker holding that
the lard bill was unfinished business.
McAdoo rose to a question ofprivilege.
The gentleman from Illinois (Cannon)
had made what he called an explanation
but what he (McAdoo), and those
around him, construed as an additional
attack upon him. He asked two min
utes in which to reply, but at the speak
er's request withheld his remarks for
the present.
On the vote on the question OF sus
tanning the decision, the house was once
more left without quorum.
The two minutes granted to McAdoo
were then accorded him. He said he
had hoped the gentleman from Illinois,
by a frank and manly statement, would
have purged himself of suspicion of hay
ing injected vulgarity into the debate,
but he had not done so. A gentleman
was justified under no circumstances, in
ever descending to vulgar, indecent and
blackguard remarks, or remarks that
could be construed as such.
Cannon said he could add nothing to
what he bad said. He had disclaimed
his intention OF saying anything that
would wound the feelings or propriety
of the most delicate.
A call of the house was ordered and
disclosed the presence OF 1913 members.
A motion to dispense with further pro-
ceedings was lost.
Brosius offered resolution to arrest
absentees, directing the sergeant-at-
arms to telegraph for absent members,
and revoking all leaves of absence, ex-
cept those granted on account OF illness.
Agreed to. and the house adjourned