The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-23
ROWDYISM In THE HOUSE
DIR. BALDWIN MAKES AN ATTACK
ON MR.. FLEMING.

The Latter's Advoca cy of Reduction
in the Amount of Pensions to Be AL
lowed the Widows of Ex-Confeder
ates Enrages the Member from Ran,
dolDh-Mr. Fleming Ignores Him.
ATLANTA, GA, Sept 22.-The most i'm
beetle and most thoroughly discreditablt
exhibition of rowdyism that has occurred II
the legislature since the days Of reconstruc
ton, not even excepting the disgracefu
scenes that accompanied the defeat OF the
confederate home bill, was witnessed in the
House to-day. About II o'clock the House
took up the tax act. Mr.. Fleming offered
an amendment to make the general tax
8 mills instead of 81 mills, as the bill pro-
posed. The real issue was upon leaving the
confederate widows pension at 500 or re-
ducing it to $50. Mr.. Fleming proposed
reduction of the tax rate contemplating
reduction of the widows pension to $50.
Mr.. Huff spoke in favor Of the report OF
his committee.
ARGUMENT UNDER FULL HEADWAY.
Mr.. Fleming argued for his amendment.
Mr.. Sibley of Cobb, gallant old CoI.
Crowder of Monroe, Mr.. Hill Of MeriWether
and one or two others spoke IN favor OF
leaving the pension at sIOU.
Mr. Reed of Putnam and Mr.. Smith OF
Greene supported Mr.. Fleming's position.
Then the previous question was called,
cutting of further DEBATE, except the
twenty minutes allowed the chair
man of the committee. Mr..
HUFF used nearly fifteen minutes of that
time and then courteouSly yielded five min
utes to Mr.. Fleming to enable the opposi-
ton to reply.
Mr.. Fleming made strong argument for
his side of the question. His main ground
was, of course, that the state could not now
afford to appropriate so much money. VI
understand said he. "that this is an al
lance legislature, pledged at the time OF
their election TO an economic admin"
A DIscoURTEoUs INTERRUPTION.
Just at this iuncture Dr. Baldwin Of Ran.
dolph sprang to his feet. Pointing his fin
ger at Mr. Fleming he demanded roughly:
"Do you think it is economy for you to
stand up there making a second speech on
this subject when everybody knows that
nothing that you can say will influence any
member Of thisH ousep The question was
rude, but the manner was more than that,
it was deliberately insulting.
Nj Fleming, without at all changing the
expression of his face or the even pitch of
his voice, replied quickly: 81 have no ides
that any appeal to reason can affect the
gentleman from Randolph. There are other
members Of this House, l am glad TO be-
Heve, who can be so affected"
BALDWIN LOSES HIS HEAD.
what do you mean by thatf" asked DR..
Baldwin excitedly. What do you mean
by that, sirl" His attitude aud expression
was that Of a bully, and he was desperately
wrought up.
s'exactly what my language implies"
Dr. Baldwin thrust his right hand into
the pocket Of his trousers and started for
Mr. Fleming, who was about twenty steps
from him. Before DR.. Baldwin could draw
his knife OF pistol. as he apparently in
tended doing, four or five members inter
posed.
scoundrel,n he shouted, strugg ing to reach
Mr. Fleming who was then not three feet
from him, "You are g contemplate puppy
and scoundrel, sir" In struggling with
those who were trying to restrain him, DIR.
Baldwin was pushed just in the rear Of
Mr.. Fleming.
PREVENTED FROM STRIKING HIM.
DR.. Baldwin, from this position, made an
effort to strike Mr.. Fleming, but was pre-
vented. The words ''sooundrel," "con-
tamptible" and "puppy" were repeated.
Mr.. Fleming had paid absolutely no at
tention to DR.. Baldwin, but had remained
folded, Just as he would for an ordinary in
terruption on the side of the House.
DIR. Baldwin walked back to his seat and
Mr. Fleming again addressed the chair and
the House. 81 usually weigh my words, or
try to-" said he, land / do not feel called
upon now to retract anything have said"
81 don't want any apology from him."
interrupted DR.. Baldwin. ''pve told him
what thought Of him."
Mr.. Fleming then quietly concluded his
argument for the amendment.
The vote on the adoption of the amend
ment was "a to 90, so it was lost and the bill
was passed as it came from the committee.
BALDWIN APOLOGIES TO THE HOUSE
DIR. Baldwin then arose to a question Of
personal privilege. ~ wish to apologize to
this House" said he, 'for the hssty aud i'm
petuous language which / unfortunately
used. Reference was made to the ALI
ance, and something was said about curtail-
ing expenses. He had made one speech and
was taking up the time of this House maxi
ing another one. | didn't think the Ian
0uage was 80 harsh until after had used it.
have no apology to make to him, but do
make one to the House, aud regret that l
used the hasty language. l think that much
is due to myself"
BERNER'S RAILROAD BILL.
Mr.. Berner's railroad bill was made the
special order for Thursday.
This resolution by Mr.. Goodwin of Fulton
was passed:
ReSolued-By the House Of Representa-
tives, the Senate concurring, that the sen.
ators and representatives from this state in
the congress Of the United States be, and
they are earnestly requested to aid in
securing such legislation as will strengthen
the control and reputation Of
the interstate railroad commission
of interstate or through freight and
passenger tariffs, and to that END to favor
the increase in the plumber of members of
said commission, to thereby enable the
interstate commission to keep constant and
efficient communication with the various
state commissions and thus secure to each
and all the states the benefit Of competition
and the prevention OF discrimination and
extortion in the matter Of railroad rates.
EXEMPTION FROM JURY DUTY.
An importanEbill by Mr.. Berner was passed
providing that no honorary or pay member
of any military company or organization
shall be exempt from jury duty.
A bill introduced by Mr.. Ethrhdge of
Houston was passed. 1t is ito require com
mon carriers over which freight ha. been
shipped and has been lost, damaged or de-
stroyed to furnish to the shipper, consiguee
or their assignee within sixty DAYS
after application, the necessary information
to establish upon which line or connecting
line of common carriers said loss, damage
or destruction occurred and in default TO
render the carrier to which application was
made liable for said loss, damage or destruc-