Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1893-02-23
Letter from Washington.
Especial Correspondence Keowee courier.]

As the consideration of the amend
ments to the pension bill progressed the
debates waxed warmer and developed a
pugilistic feeling on the part of at least
two of the members of the House, If not
more.
Last Thursday, in discussing one of the
proposed amendments, Mr.. Tarsney, OF
Missouri, took the opportunity to refrte
and resent the charges made against
him of using improper epithets, such as
ruf6ans, rascals and scounGrels, to Union
soldiers, by Mt. Morse, of Massachusetts,,
of Polish fame. BE declared that he had
never used such language, was not in
the habit of using harsh language toward
any one, and would not do so toward a
soldier; but if compelled to use such Ian
euage it would not be toward those who
fought to save the Union, but toward
the men who occupied seats on the floor
OF the House, who wilfully and mali
ciouslv falsifed the words of their col
leagues. and announced that he stood
there and everywhere ready to respond
to any individual for his words, and
would not sneak into the House and
under the liberty granted by its rules
throw words of vilifcation, slander and
falsehood against his fellow-members
into the official reports of the House.
Mr.. Tsrsnev was loudly applauded.
BY this time sensation was expected
and the space in front of the Speakers
desk was densely packed by members,
apparently waiting developments between
them. Just then the situation took
new turn. Mr.. Morse had arisen to reply
to Mr.. Tarsney, but yielded to Mr.. Tur-
pin, of Alabama, who asked him If he
was aware that there was upon the rolls
of the Pension Department an ex-soldier
drawing a pension for total deafness who
was also securing salary of $500 and
employed at the telephone, and that If
he wanted the name of the party he
could give it. At once came chorus OF
Name him. name him. Mr.. Turpin
did not know if the soldier was Demo-
crat or Repr blican, but supposed he is
Democrat, as he comes from Indiana.
Thereupor Mr.. Waugh shouted that he
did not believe his statement unless he
proved it. Mr.. Turpin gave the pension
ers name, and advancing toward Mr.:
Waugh, who again repeated that he did
not believe his statement, Mr.. Turpin
replied that he could doubt the state
ment, but could not say that be was
false. and rushed forward to attack Mr..
Waugh. Seeing that they were coming
together with hostile intent. Mr.. Cooper,
OF Indiana, got between them. They
began striking at each other, but other
members came to Mr.. Cooper's assist
ance and the belligerent parties were
kept apart. The excitement was intense.
Mr.. Crisp quickly seized the gavel from
the hand of Mr. Wilson and the authori-
tative touch of the Speaker succeeded IN
restoring order. The House, being now
too much excited to resume business,
adjourned. Thus ended one of the most
exciting scenes that has occurred in the
House for longsdme.
The preparations for the inaugural
ball are rapidly approaching completion
and are on much grander scale than
ever before made The entire ceiling OF
Pension building will be covered with
canopy of white and gold. The walls,
galleries and columns will be draped and
festooned with white, gold and red,
and flags of silk, trimmed with gold,
shields bearing the coat of arms of the
Cnited States and the seals of the differ
ent States. Palms, flowers and vines,
electric lights and gas jets and every
ching possible will be brought into requi-
sition to add 70 the brilliancy of the
scene of magnlS cence and beauty. The
covered way from the street to the
entrance has been completed. The
kitchen is in readiness for the cooks. The
costs of the preparations are said to
exceed eight thousand dollars.
The Hawaiian treaty is under conside-
ration by the Senate. There is some
opposition to it, but the generally con-
ceded opinion is that these islands will
be annexed or come under the protec-
ton of this government. The commits
sioners from the Queen are now in the
city and will present their side Of the
matter as soon as possible.
The pension bill, shorn of all of the
amendments looking to the relief of the
tax payers, passed the House last Friday.
The post Office appropriation bill then
came up for consideration. Among other
things this bill appropriates one hundred
and ninety-six thousand dollars for car
rying the mails by fast line from Wash
ington to New Orleans. This bill trans
fers the mails to the Richmond and Dan
Vile line. Heretofore the Atlantic Coast
Line has had monopoly of this busi-
ness. and now, after ten years of fat
things, is opposing the bill. 1t is very
likely that the bin will pass on the ground
that turn about is fair play. This bill
will give faster and better mail service
to all of the country along its lines.
The House Committee on Banking and
Currency met on Friday, and, after over
looking the bills before them, made no
reports. 1t is practically decided that,
owing to the short time of the session
yet remaining and the pressure of bust
ness, no business will be sent to the
House from that committee. After dis
cussing the silver question informally the
committee adjourned.
1t is supposed that the silver question
will be again submitted to the House for
consideration in the shape Of compro-
mise, gotten up by free silver and anti
free silver men in secret conference. The
proposition is to stop buying silver until
the S40,00o,00O in bullion shall be coined
at the rate of 100000 per month";
temporary measure to meet the present
financial difficulty without disturbing the
Sherman bill.
The political disturbances in Kansas
have assumed less war-like appearance
and peaceful measures once more pre-
vail. The militia have been sent to their
homes and the Republicans have posses