The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-17
ALMOST a FIsTIOUFF.

ALMOST a FIsTICUFF.
An Exciting Scene In COngreSs-Two Mem
hers Nearly Come to Blows During Dc.
bate on tho Pension Question.
WASHINGTON. d. O., Feb. l6.-The
feature OF the day in the house was n
personal collision between Turpin, OF
Alabama, and Waugh. OF Indiana,
which but for the bodily intervention
OF friends might have resulted seriously,
but us it turned out any injuries that
were received were received by the
peacemakers.
The house resumed in committee Of
the whole the consideration Of the pom.
sion appropriation bill.
The chairman, Mr.. Wilson, OF West
Virginia, delivered his decision on the
points OF order raised against tho varl-
ous amendments recommended by the
committee on appropriations, changing
the pension laws. These relative to the
transfer of the pension bureau to tho
war department, to tho rerating upon
the basis OF ability to earn a liVingi TO
the limitation to persona receiving an
income OF less than $500 and 10 soldiers
widows were overruled.
Mr.. Burrows appealed from tho de-
cision regarding tho transfer Of the
pension bureau. The decision OF the
chair was sustained l0S to 63,
Mr.. Tarsney III speaking OF an
amendment, referred to speech made
a few days ago by Mr.. Morse, in which
that gentleman. either in his open re-
marks or in his copy sent in to the Off
cial reporters, had stated that he liars
ney) had referred to tho pensioners on
the rolls as "rutfians, thieves and scoun-
drels," He had never used such Ian
guage, nor would he ever do so. He
was not in the habit OF using harsh
language towards any one, but ii he
we're compelled to do SO, it would not
be against the men who had fought for
the union, but against the men who oc-
cupied seats on this floor and wilfully
and maliciously fnlsiied tho words Of
their colleagues, Applause.
Mr.. Morse replied that he had not at-
tributed to the gentleman any words
that had not been uttered by him as far
he (Morae) had understood them.
The committee by this time was ex-
pecting q sensation,
The area in front OF the speakers desk
was thronged by members who were
awaiting further developments between
tho gentleman from Missouri and the
gentleman from Massachusetts.
The situation, however, took new
and more serious turn. Mr.. Morse hay
ing yielded to Mr.. Turpin to ask a
question, tho latter brought about a
scone which has not been enacted on
the floor OF tho house since Mr.. Sparks
OF Illinols, and General Weaver, Of
Iowa, took of their coats and proceeded
to settlo their differences by tisticutls.
Mr.. Turpin inquired OF the gentleman
from Massachusetts, whether no was
aware OF tho fact that there stood to-
day upon the pension rolls an ex.
soldier who was drawing pension
Of $40 month for total deafness who
was receiving q SALARY Of Sl,S00 u year,
and who was employed at tho teIe-
phone. Laughter. Now, ii any gem
tloman wanted to know the name Of
this gentleman he could tell it.
"Name him, name him." came in q
chorus,
Mr.. Turpin-I do not know whether
the soldier is q Democrat or Repub-
lican, but in tho light Of the present
surroundings | suppose that ha Is q
Democrat, because he comes from tho
doubtful state OF Indiana,
II do not believe your statement un-
less you prove it." shouted Mr.. Waugh,
advancing into the area in front OF tho
speakers deslt and then the interest
became intense
"The gontlemNn'a name Is Vim. H.
Davis" said Mr. Turpin, leaving his
position in the main isle and advancing
towards Mr., Waugh.
~ do not believe the statement Is
truo, whether you havo tho gentleman's
namo or not" retorled Mr. Waugh.
"The gentleman can doubt tho state.
mont, but no cannot say that l nm
false" and with these words Mr. Tur.
pin came down tho aisle and made a
| manifestation OF attack upon Mr.
Waugh, who was prepared to receive
him. Tho two mon werO not separated
by foot OF space, and had 1t not been
for tho Intervention OF Mr.. Hooper, Of
Indiana, and Others, there would have
boon MI actual pHglllstio encounter in
front Of tho spcRkor's desk
Speaker Crisp seized tho gnycl from
the hand Of Chairman Wilson Gs quick.
ly as his predecessor Speaker ROndall)
lind taken II from tho hand Of Chair.
man springerdurlng lhoSparks. Weaver
controversy,
A touch Of the authoritative hand Of
the speaker procured comparative or.
dor, but the excitement was Intense.
The speaker appealed to tho members
to put an end to this most unsoOmly
sceno and take their scatai but II was
several minutes before his appeal
proved OF any avail,
When order was finally restored, tho
house, finding II was In no temper to
proceed with tho consideration Of the
bill, adjourned
| -
Steamship News,
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