, 1890-08-28
REPUBLICAN TOUGHS.
Disgracsfui Scene in the House
of Representatives.
Wilson and Beckwith Indulge
in a Sparring Match.
The Lard Bill the Cause of
Much Ill Feeling.

WASHINGTON, Aug. Wv hen the
house met this morning the opponents Of
the lard bill, led by Mason Of Illinois, at
once began fli6ustering. Ill feeling led
to a personal ARRAY this afternoon between
REPRESENTATIVE Beekwith of New Jersey
and Representative Wilson OF Washing
ton. The roll was being called upon the
ruling of Speaker Reed respecting the
calling to order of Cannon Of Illinois by
Representative Enloo of Tennessee for
words spoken in debate. Representa-
tive Mason was criticizlng Cannon for the
tone OF the remark to which Enloe OBJ
iected. Between them sat Representa-
tive Beckwith and Wilson was on the
other side of Lehlbach. They all took
part sotto-vo e in the controversy, when
suddenly Wilson and Beckwith were seen
to rise and the former struck at the latter
and lightly touched HIM on the breast.
Lehlbach sprang between them and Will
son was unable TO reach around him.
Representative Williams of Ohio, anxious
to stop the ARRAY, seized Beckwith
HUH DGIlluu auu lOlCCu nlul w III btAL
with considerable vigor. At this Beck
with turned his attention to his supposed
assailant in the rear and it required the
efforts of two or three Republicans to pre-
vent a collision. Williams succeeded in
assuring Beckwith that he had no hostile
intentions aud the latter resumed his
seat. The incident was over in a few
seconds and added but little to the excite
ment on the floor. but it was the occasion
for ieering 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 all was quiet. Wilson
said afterwards in explanation of the
difficulty that Beckwith had applied the
most offensive epithets to him and on the
spun of the moment he bad struck him.
McAdoo attacked Cannon's resolution
bitterly. What right had the latter to
indict his peers and hold them up to the
country as leaving the hall for the purpose
of evading responsibility After ridicul-
ing Cannon's craftsmanship and historical
knowledge, be cast his store of ridicule
upon Cannon's love for the farmer.
Cannon rose to reply. He admitted
that he was not a great statesman, and
also admitted the superiority of the gen
tleman from New jersey. His friend
abounded 10 one thing. and that was
wind, and under pres ure it went out.
Loud laughter There was instantly
great confusion and disorder.
McAdoo shouted out hat be wanted
the words to go upon the record as a speoi-
men of Cannon's ~vulgarity,
Caruth Of Kentucky suggested the pro-
priety OF clearing the galleries of ladies.
Again McAdoU shouted out to Cannon,
IF you can afford to let that go on the
record as 4 specimen OF your stable Jockey
wit, | cannnt indulge in bl~ackguardism
with you You ought to argue with a
stable jockey. That is your size.
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 in holding the
lard bill unfiDlshed business.
McAdoO rose to a question of privilege.
The gentleman from Illinois Cannon
had made what be called an explanation,
but what he (McAdoo) and those around
him construed as an additional attack upon
him. He asked for two minutes in which
to reply, but at the speakers request
withheld his remarks for the present,
On sustaining the decision the house
was once more left without a quorum.
The two minutes granted to McAdoo
were then accorded him. He said he had
hoped the gentleman from Illinois by a
frank aud manly statement would have
Durged himself OF the suspicion of having
injected vulgarity into debate, but he had
not done so. A gentleman was justified
under no circumstances 10 ever descend
ing to vulgar, indecent and blackguard
remarks or remarks that could be con
strued as such.
Cannon said he could add nothing to
what he had said. He disclaimed any in
t%ention of saying anything that would
wound the feelings or propriety OF the
most delicate.
A call of the house was ordered and dis
closed the presence of 1893 members. A
motion to disperse with further proceed
ings was lost.
Brosius offered a resolution for the ar
rest of the absentees, directing the ser
geant-at-arms to telegraph Tor absent
members and revoking all leaves of alb.
scuce except those granted for illness.
Agreed to. and the house adjourned.