The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-28
DISGRACEFUL SCENES.
THE HOUSE TURNED INTO 4
GENUINE BEER GARDEN.
The Lie Passed Again and Again On the
Floor Between Republican Representa-
tiycs-BIows Exchanged and Indecent
Epitbets Applied.

Epitbets Applied.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Aug. 21.-Ispecial.l
OF all the days of this turbulent session,
this has been the most turbulent and dis
graceful 1t is plain that the Republican
party is demoralized and disrupted. Re-
pubicans are not only denouncing each
other in the most violent terms, but they
are actually grasping each other by the
throat.
4 Personal ALTERCATION.
Yesterday afternoon there was a personal
alteration on the floor, and during the pro-
ceedings, between two Republican men,
bers. As The TIMES has recorded Repre-
sentative Mason. Of Illinois, a prominent
Republican is leading the iillibustering
against the Conger lard bill. Mason is the
paid attorney OF Armour A. CO., OF Chicago.
He is paid an annual salary of SlO,OO per
year TO defend the interests of that
lirm. and as Armour manufactures
compound lard, it became MasOn's duty to
defeat the bill. When the House adjourned
saturday night. without having reached a
vote on the Lard bill, Mason was jubilant.
lie believed the bill was beaten. as the time
set apart for its consideration, under "A spe-
'ldi tlNtI ltIplltu rum Inv ''iuhiAN' VII
Rules. had expired leaving the bill pending.
Monday the House adjourned early. be-
cause OF the death Of Representative Wat
son.
nder another special order reported from
the Committee on Rules, consideration Of
the ButtorwOrth option bill were TO begin
Yesterday morning. This special order was
very specific. 1t declared that for cOnsid-
Grafton of the option bill the House should
meet at II \. VI. instead Of at noon. and
named the days to be thus occupied. Ma
turally the opponents of the Lard bill
expected the Option bill 20 be taken up yes
terday. but friends Of the former claimed
that the Lard bill was the regular order, it
having gone over after the yeas and
nays had been ordered. Opponents
of the Lard bill contended that the
special order had exhausted itself.
Much to their surprise Speaker Reed
ruled that the Lard bill was in order. This
ruling not only reversed all precedents, but
was Numerically opposite To a very recent
ruling of Mr. Reed himself. The opponents
Of the Lard bill were indignant and none
were more Outspoken in condemnation OF
the speaker than Mason. who was foremost
early in the session in investing the speaker
with arbitrary powers. II was determined 10
break a quorum, and TO accomplish this, Op-
IHlIlUlS
Democrats. deliberately absentcd them
selves from the hall when a roll-call was or
dcrod. Aiter the fight had progressed sew
cral hours. Mason, who had been busy mar
,halling his forces, strOlled near 10 the
venerable Representative Walker, Of Massa-
chusctts, who some weeks ago dYested
himself Of his coat while delivering
speech. Walker reprOached Mason for fili-
bustering and the latter retorted that he
wa, carrying out the wishes Of his con-
sttuents.
You are obeying the orders Of Chicago
lard-makers," replied Walker in an oh.n-
siNc tone.
"You are ID liar" shouted Mason,
and clenching his fists, he made a rush to-
wards Walker. Several members inter-
posed, aud Mason, checking himself, said
10 Walker:
Your gray hairs save you from the
thrashing you deserve
HOsTILITIEs RESUMED.
That was Yesterday. When the House
met to-day the obstructive tactics were
resumed II was soon apparent that the
friction among the Republicans had no.
This ugly feeling grows ont Of
the fact that Republicans are tlllibustering.
Cannon. Henderson, and other Republican
leaders are particularly bitter against
Mason and the Republicans who sus-
tain him. They say that the
Republican majority overthrow all rules
and precedents upon the plea Of preventing
that the only justification OF
the course adopted by the majority was
that il facilitated business, and by prevent
ing the Use Of obstructive tactics, and now
near the end OF the session the most Oticn-
siye iillibustcring tactics was inaugurated
by Republicans. Mason is catching 1t from
hi, Republican associates all round, but II
Il only fair 10 say that he has not yet shown
ans sign Of failing courage.
This Vindictiye feeling was not suppressed
today. BY some Republicans il was given
nll sway and tongue. Representative Nc
AdOO in an able and dignliied manner crit
iciscd Cannon for seeking to coerce mem
bers and spa cially censuredihim for having
Yesterday submitted a resolution naming
who did not vote. Mr. McAdoo
contended that Cannon had thus constituted
himself Judge or Cmsar and had sought
to censure members,
INDECENT LANGUAGE,
I'm rcply Cannon attempted 10 employ
wit and satire against McAdOo. lie made
use Of language, the Interpretation OF which
is too indecent to publish. The House was
lctually shocked, and motions were made
icw minutes the House was in an uprOar.
While the confusion was at its height,
Mason went over to Cannon and said IN
substance:
Cannon, YOU ought not to have INDUCED
i'm that vulgar fling at McAdOO. The lady
Of my family are in the gallery
and il ladies Of your family were III The
House | certainly would treat them with
more respect than yOu have shown 10
mne."
TIE LIE PASSED AGAIN AND AGAIN.
Representative Beckwth. Of New Jersey,
who sat near by, interpOsed 10 sustain
Mason. and added that Cannon was unfair
Yesterday in presenting "A black list.
My name was on that list" added Beck
with. land was here all day"
"Nou were not here" shouted Wilson OF
the state of Washington, eXcltedly.
"Whlt have you to do with IT. queried
turning suddenly TO Wilson.
This much" retOrted Wilson, eXcitedly,
Il say You are never here
You're liar" exclaimed Beckwith, at
The same time shaking his fist nj Wilson.
They were separated b. ono Tow OF desks.
"Nou are id liar" retQrted Wilson.
struggling as if to climb over the desks to
reach Beckwith.
The latter. white with rage, retorted,
you are a id lying s-.n of a b. =
BLOWS EXCHANGED.
This was not only unpariamentary, but
indecent. vulgar, and disgraceiul. by
reaching over the desks the two angry Con-
gressmen were enabled TO exchange blows.
out they were too far apart to strike Win
force. Immediately several members rushed
between the two belligerents.
williams, Of Ohio, who has been loud
mouthed in denouncing Mason and other
Republican opponents OF the Lard Dlll,
rushed at Beckwith and attempted to
scratch his face. Beckwith squared him
self so as 10 defend himself against two as
sailants. The Speaker vigorously pounded
and called for order, and the deputy
grasped the men AMI
marched over to the turbulent Republican
side.
GENERAL Row INMINENr.'
The confusion and excitement were be
yond description. Republican members
promptly ranged themselves on one side or
the other. and for several moments 1t actu-
ally looked no If there might be general
row. But better councils prevailed. VIII
son was urged into the cloak-room, while
Beet with remained master Of the Yeld.
IL appear. that few inmates before ms
alteration IIeekwith had rvprinanded
Wilson for denouncing McAdoo. Though
-t..sao1 o,. o,.rcpauf. Reck with and McAdOO