The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-29
GAVE TORSE THE LIE.
Congressman Fithian Made No
Bones About 1t at All.
Two DisgracefuI Scenes Enacted
Upon the Floor of the House
of Representatives.

WASHINGTON, Sept 2S.-The lie was
passed at the opening of the session of the
House this morning between Morse of
Massachusetts and Fithian of Illinois.
Morse in a speech attempted to Justify
his course in flibustering yesterday. and
charged Fithian with being solely respon-
sible for the refusal of the House to permit
him to print in the Record newspaper
extracts attacking Pension Commissioner
Lochren.
Fithian, replying. said Morse had en-
deavored iJduce hin {Frithfsut to with
draw his objection to printing by coming
to him and proposing that he (Morse)
would, as a member OF the Committee on
Buildings and Grounds, help Fithian get
through any public building bill in which
he might be interested.
THAT is absolutely false" shouted
Morse, striding menacingly toward Filth
ian.
IF the gentleman from Massachusetts
denies the statement. have proof that
will satisfy any member of the House.
My colleague, Goldzier, heard the conver-
sat1on," retorted Fithian.
Morse backed against the rails and re-
piled meekly, what the gentleman says
has the color Of truth [aughterl. but the
construction he placed on it is unquali-
fedly false"
"If the gentleman denies my statement"
yelled Fithian, shaking his fist angrily at
the Massachusetts man. "he is wilfully
lying himself"
The House was then ia an uproar. The
Speaker pounded vigorously for order, de-
claring both out of order, and this closed
the incident
Then debate on the bill to repeal the
Federal election laws was resumed. Cen
eral John G. Black of Illinois. ex-Com-
missioner of Pensions, spoke in support
of the bill. This was his maiden speech
in the House, and he was accorded
the closest attention. He said he would
not discuss the question from constitu.
tional point of view, but would try TO
show his reasons for favoring rereal
These laws were enacted in 1858. The
most that could be said of them was that
they were designed to operate under cir
cumstances which no longer exist. ItWas
following a fierce, demoraliZing struggle.
The system was a child OF force; of the
hatred and dread of men long arrayed on
sectional lines against each other. Ifthese
laws were ever efficient their time had
gone. The thing needed now was the ele-
vation of the franchise. If men are not
fit 10 exercise this right they should be de-
prived of the privilege. He did not mean
the ignorance of books, but Of the genius
of American institutions. Corrupt venal
voters constitute a danger to the country.
The election laws do not meet and were
not designed to meet this condition. Their
purpose was to protect and elevate an un-
fortunate race by supporting it with the
strong arm of the Government. They ap-
pealed to force, not reason, and intens sified
the race issue. He would vote any amount
of tax'money and any force to uphold the
dignity of the Government and the rights
of It's citizens, but these laws did neither.
At the conclusion of Blacks address
Johnson spoke in opposition to repeal.
He arraigned the Democratic party in the
most bitter manner, and Breckenridge, the
silver-tongued Kentucky orator, following,
hurled defiance at the Indianan. IF the
gentleman is a fair type" he said, "of the
people of his district, then they cannot be
criticized for sending man here VINO de-
uounces as Infamous the majority of the
people Of this country. l have the most
profound pity for the man who could make
such a speech, who does not believe his
countrymen are to bo trusted. With this
| dismiss him from my mind and my
speech"
'There are other things" shouted john
son, (which the gentleman from Kentucky
would like to dismiss"
''At this direct allusion to the famous
Pollard Breckenridge breach of promise
suit some Republicans laughed. but the
laughter was drowned by storm OF Dem
oeratlc Kisses.
'Such remark" replied Breckenridge.
! bitterly, ''only shows that the gentleman
has no sense of the propriety and decency
! of public life."
Breckinridge's speech was devoted
| largely to the constitutional phase of the
question, and at its conclusion the House
| adjourned.