The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-05-19
PLANTATION MEMORIES REBUKED.
Mr.. Bynum Showed His Anger BY
Using Offensive Language.
censured by the Speaker Before the
Bar of the House.
MIR. Reed at the Helm During Five
Hours of Turmoil.
Especial to the Press1


part Of Saturday afternoon and far into the
| night, the House of Representatives was
convulsed by one of the most tumultuous
storms OF passion that has swept over it for
many years, if a single exception be made of
the scenes during the quorum ruling by
Speaker Reed. In this case the Democratic
party made an exhibition of itself more scan
dalous even than its performance during the
ruling. 1t formally and unblushingly put It.
self on record as the backer and endorser of
blackguardism and insult on the floor of the
House. The trouble began in committee of
the whole over letter written by William
Campbell of Pittsburg, Penn, a leader of
the Glass Workers Union, who had been ac-
cused of perjury by Congressman Bynum of
Indiana and Wilson of West Virginia, for
some sworn statements he had made in re-
gard to their attitude towards laboring men.
In the course Of the letter Campbell made a
statement implying that Bynum and Wilson
had not acted honorably. This letter, Con-
gressman Bayne of Pennsylvania, to whom
1t had been written, sent to the clerks desk
ana had 1t read Saturday afternoon. By SO
dong s ne became responsible for it, accord
ing TO parliamentary usage, and the proper
course for the aggrieyed parties would have
been to demand that the Objectionable
words be then and there taken down and
brought to the attention of the House. Moth
ing of the sort was done, but some time af-
terward. when other business had inter
yened, MIR. Bynum arose and deliberately
denounced Campbell as ''liar and periur
er" and then added that he had as much re-
sspect Tor Campbells character as he had for
the character of Mr.. Bayne.
This insult was no sooner uttered than
zen. Cutcheon of Michigan, demanded that
the words be taken down. Gen. Grosyenor
chairman Of the committeee of the whole, at
once complied with the demand amid a tre-
mendous uproar. especially by the Demo
Gratis, who were already preparing to defend
bynum: The words were noted and the
committee of the whole rose to repeat them
to the House: As the Speaker stepped into
sne chair, the turmult subsided and the
about o'clock The Democrats, led by Mr.
Mills OF Texas and Mr.. Springer of Illinois,
az once began to raise technical points of or
der, which were overruled by the Spea ker
amid loud shouts Of applause from the Re-
publicans and yells of defiance and rage
from the Democrats. Taunts and threats
were hurled back and forth and Mr.. Mills,
In pitch OF rage and shaking his fist, defied
some OF the most active of the Republicans,
among whom was Mr.: Boutelle of Maine, to
AS soon as possible Mr.. Cutcheon intro
duced resolution declaring Mr.. Bynum's
language unparliamentary and calling for
the censurlng Of Mr.. Bynum at the bar Of the
iouoc. OpoH tnlS, MT. Cutcheon demanded
the previous question: The Democrats urged
that Mr.. Bynum should have chance to ex-
plain and Republican asked for unanimous
consent that such an opportunity be allowed
to him and the Republicans all consented.
put the southern Democrats objected and
Mr. Bynum himself refused to explain al |
though urged 20 do so, it is said, by "Objec- |
tor" Holman who, though Democrat, knew |
from his long experience the impropriety of |
Bynum's course. After this refusal of all |
ciemency. the Republicans proceeded to the |
howled; yelled, shook their fists and brought |
every filibustering move into operation. But |
the same iron hand that had quelled them |
lnree months before was holding the Speak |
ers gavel. Without trace of anger in his |
voice or bearing, although more than once |
continually with the most tfyIf6g
md perplexing parliamentary situations, the
speaker kept control of the House for five
plantation swaggerings and blusterings of
Mills, the shrieks of the old Confederate
.avalryman, Wheeler, of Alabama, nor the
windy --vociferations of Springer Of Illinois,
" Bland of Missouri moved him. At half
past ten o'clock the resolution bringing Mr.. |
Bynum to the bar of the House for censure |
was passed by strict party vote.
When Mr.. Bynum was brought down to |
the bar all the Democrats present marched |
down in body with him and stood around
Mr.. Springer on his left. The Speaker re-
quested the members to be seated, as they
were out of order. Not a. Democrat stirred.
He requested them to again and again, and
they refused. They were mob out od Of or
himself informing the Speaker that they de-
clined to be seated. Then the Speaker said
deliberately and impressively: "The House
of Representatives perceives that it is impos-
sible for the Chair to enforce. order under its
ru1 of fhQ aatiOO Of aQrtQin
members. The Chair will therefore proceed
to discharge the duty which the House has
imposed upon him, with the House in its
present condition of disorder" He then ad
ministered the censure of the House upon
Mr.. Bynum.
So far from feeling the disgrace of this
censure, Mr.. Bynum replied unblushingly
that he received it as a decoration of
honor" This remark of Bynum's gives the
key to the sentiment that aetuates him land and
Democrats, De- esn' who i9'f' have Ia '.' imported
into the House the manners of brawlers
and bulldozers. Mr.. Bynum wilfully trans
gressed the rules and courtesies OF the
House and detiantly refused to explain or
rretract, The bulk of his party sustained
him. That he was provoked by the letter
presented by Mr.. Bayne is no excuse any
more than in other walks Of life provoca-
tion is sufficient excuse for homicide or
murder Some Of the Democrats would not
participate in the shame of their party.
Young Andrew of Massachusetts and sew
eral others refrained from voting and left
the hall. 1t is safe to say that Mr., Carlisle,
had he been present. would have exerted
himself to prevent the formal adoption by
his party of the principle that in the House
Of Representatives, as well as in Texas and
Mississippi, it is allowable for man to take
the law into his own hands for the purpose
of avenging provocation.
Personal.
S. R. Small and wife are here.