Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-07
A PERS0NALQ QUARREL
Between Two Republican Congress
men Over a Public Building.
SOME VERY HEATED LANGUAGE
During a Lively Debate in the House of
Representatives.
TRYING TO KNOCK OUT THE SURPLUS.
RYING TO KNOCK OUT THE SURPLUS.
A Democratic Members Candid Announcement of
His Intentions


Congressman Cannon and Milliken wert
involved in dispute over a public build
ing bill, yesterday, which became exceed
ingly personal. Cannon tried to flibustel
against the bill, but it was finally passed,
Reed counting quorum.
WASHINGTON, March GA bill appro-
priating 5000, 900 for public building at
San Jose, Cal, was the object of vigorous
attack from Mr. Cannon, of Illinois, in the
House to-day. He criticised the action OF
the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds, and alluded to the "pork in the
pot" In his own town of Danville the
postoffice site was leased for 500 year.
That was sufficient for the postofice build
ing there, and the business was more there
than the average of the business of towns
where the committee provided for the erec-
tion of public buildings.
Mr.. Miliiken retorted that nobody doubted
that the gentleman's town was cheap town.
(Laughterl.
AN EXCITING DIALOGUE.
Mr.. Caunon-If the gentleman descends-
Mr.. Milliken-No, L am simply admitting
the truth OF your own argument.
Mr.. Cannon said that from the uneasiness
and restlessness of the gentleman from
Maine when any one rose to criticise his
committee, it would seem to be treason to
the gentleman and humanity to do so.
When in good faith be (Cannon) called at
tention to the appropriations made by these
bills, the gentleman rose and lndulged in
wit, which was as cheap, if not contemDti-
bic. The Republicans had told the country
that under the new rules desirable legisla-
tion would be speedily enacted, yet these
rules had not been in force a month
before a special order was made for the con-
sideration of public building bills. He
would content himself in voting against
bills which his judgment told him were not
proper. Gentlemen must answer TO their
constituents for their votes. If members
constituency will excuse him, when he told
them that he had got for them S75, 900 or
5000, 600 in compensation for improvident
appropriations, he (Mr. Cannon) supposed
that it was all right. Laughter.
A BITTER REToRT.
Mr. Milliken said that he would endeavor
to get along with his constituents without
the lecture of the gentleman from Illinois
If it were not for his friendly feelings to-
ward the gentleman from Illinois be would
suggest, further, that he had never seen a
man attempt to impute to another man that
he had "pork in the pot;" that he was not
the first fellow to get his hand into the pot.
Laughter.
Mr.. Cannon, approaching Mr.. Milliken,
asked the gentleman to be kind enough to
explain his last remark Did the gentleman
mean to say, by words or otherwise, that he
(Mr. Cannon) had asked or intimated that
he desired the committee to recommend any
bill
Mr.. Milliken suggested that it was a
foolish thing FOR a man to ask another man
whether he had done anything which no.
body expected he had done. He was entire
ly responsible for what he had said.
Mr.. Cannon understood the gentleman to
say that he never knew a man to cry 'stop
thief that he was not trying to steal some
thing. And if the gentleman" he con-
tinued, Sin his zeal sought, by innuendo or
intimation, to allege that if it had not been
for his friendly relations with me- he could
urge aught against my character, or other
wise, here and now let US have it, Seth Mil
lken.'
ALMOST AN ENCOUNTER.
As he was uttering these words, he was
slowly approaching Mr.. Milliken, and as
he finished his sentence, he tapped that gen.
tleman on the shoulder, amid the laughter
of the House. Throughout the colloquy both
gentlemen manifested a good deal of excite
ment, but the House was very good-humored
and thoroughly enjoyed the controversy,
which was ended by Mr.. Milliken disclaim-
ing any intention TO insinuate anything
against the gentleman, who was as nearly
perfect as any man in the world.
Mr.. Peters, of Kansas criticised the nill
hoip bo Nfr
Clunie, of California, in whose district San
Jose is located, to give statistics showing the
postofice business there transacted. Mr..
Clun1e said that if he had known that his
bill was going to create SO much disturb
ance in the House he might not have intro
duced it. But he had thought that it would
not be immodest in him (not having pub
lie building in his district to ask Congress
to give him one. Laughter.
THE REASONS FOR IT.
He was informed by gentlemen on the
Republican side that there was a disposi-
tion on the part of Congress to expend
public money in giving the people build
lngs necessary to carry on their business.
He did not believe that after he had
voted for every bill coming from
the Republican side, the gentleman
from Illinois would create so much excite
ment over the first bill coming from the
Democratic side. [Laughter.l While the
pile was being divided round he did not
think it immodest to ask little slice for
San Jose. Laughter There was not
man on the Republican side who had not
patted him on the back and said: "CIunie,
we will stand by you" Laughter.
After further debate the bill was laid aside
favorably, and the committee, rising, it, to-
gether with the preceding bills, was re-
ported to the House. In the House Mr..
Cannon made a vigorous fight against the
Washington, D: c., postoffice bill, moving
to adjourn, amid cries OF "Dilatory motion"
from the Democrats, and raising the point
of no quorum amid shouts of "Filibuster-
ing" from the same source. The Speaker
counted quorum and the bill was passed,
as were the other bills reported favorably.