The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-02
PEFoRE-TuE-waR TACTICS,

DuTlUS INC ulScuSSIOU Oh bnS suHuTy civil Ap-
preparation bill by the House, Wednesday, May
Is, an amendment was offered to appropriate
$1,000 for an exhibit showing the advance
ment of the negro race of the country since
1863 This amendment was finally ruled out OF
order by the Chairman, but during the discus
sion of the amendment psndemoninm reigned
in the House. Mr.. Henderson, of Iowa, favored
the amendment and said that neither tbs
President of the United States 4 Say it with
modification and shame), nor the Governor of
q single State. nor the Government Commits
sion, nor the Womsu's Commission, not enc of
these has given representation to the 5000 600
of coiored people. President HarTison has
given them no representation. He must answer
for himself"
Mr.. Johnson, of Indiana, defended the Presi-
dent, saying Gen. Harrison had been through
out his life the consistent friend of the colored
man. He also said that President Harrison had
favored distinct measure of National relief,
which, il passed by Congress, would have pro-
vided supervision of National elections whereby
the coored people of the South would have the
right to cast their votes and have them counted.
When Mr.. Johnson finished this sentence he
was Missed by the Democrats, and more than
dozen of them began to ask him questions, the
allusion to what they called the " force bill 4"
having the effect OF a red rag on an enraged
bull.
The scene of confusion which ersued cannot
be described, rs half tho House began shouting
for recognition, while the Chairman nearly
broke his gavel by pounding for order Mr..
ONeil, of Missouri, finally made himself heard,
and said that ths members were here for the
purpose of transacting public business, and not
to listen to such rot as this TO which Mr..
Johnson replied: Z" 1t i'll becomes any member
who has dumped as much rubbish On the House
as the gentleman from Missouri to call my
speech rot"
This sally was greeted with roars of laughter,
and Mr.. ONeil shook his fist at Mr.. johnson
and shouted '.l'll attend to your case when
you get through with your so-callsd speech"
"What does the gentleman mean 2" asked
Mr. johnson. with mock trspidation. "Surely
we do not live in ante bellum days. when free
speech could be siIenced with club. Does the
man mean to make me trenble in my boots !"
MIR. Johnson proceeded, and was asked re-
garding the Hayes Tilden fraud of 1876, which
he characterized as plsyed-out Democratic
campaign lie. Kisses greeted this statement.
bIr. Crain of Texas, asked Dir. Johnson,
How about Justice Bradley. the man VIII o
had to BIO visited In the night to provo his
honesty"
At this Mr.. Bergen, of New Jersey, jumped
to his feet and exclaimed excitedly, That Ia
not true"
Mr. Crane leaned forward, and with men-
acing gesture. yellcd: Let my friend say that
outside" which covert threat was greeted with
a chorus of groans and cries of mo! Mol"
Mr. Bergen took his seat calmly.
Mr.. johnson struggled to proceed, but finally
gave it up in disgust, shouting as he sat down:
I will talk to you some other time, but just
now / will give the menageris q rest. will
not poke up these Darwinan specimens any
more"
Mr.. Crane sent the following note 10 Mr.
Bergen by page: Hon. G. A. Bergen: During
the discussion of an appeal this morning, you
took occasion to desiEnste me az liar, and
desire you to retract the imputatier."
Mr.. Bergen and Mr.. Crane left the House
together and went out into one Of the COM
mittee rooms, where Mr. Bergen tsld the fiery
Texan that he meant no personality, being too
much of gentleman to do anything unpsrlia-
mentary, and had no desire to offend Mr. Crane
OK anybody else. Thus the peace was restored,
and no gore was spilled; but more undigni-
fed and dsorderly scene never before took
place in the halls of Congress.