The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-03
SQUARED OFF TO FIGHT.
A Hot Scene on the Floor OF the
House OF Representatives
Yesterday.
When Safely Separated Two
Members Mako Loud Bluffs
at Each Other.
The House Working on the Appropria-
tion BiIs-Now Struggling Win the
Subject OF Pensions.

WASHINGTON. March 2.-The house bill
which has been before congress several
sessions for opening 90 settlement certain
abandoned military reservations was taken
up and passed.
Grow. newly elected Congressman at large
from Pennsylvania. was sworn In. Judge
Holman introduced Grow in q fslioitous
speech. burst Of applause greeted Grow
NJ be stepped down the aisle TO take his
place At the bar Of the house.
Boatner asked unanimous consent for
consideration Of the resolution 10 invssti-
gate the oction OF judge jenkins in grant
inR an injunction against the employees Of
the No'thsfn Pacific railroad. KilgoTe OBJ
iected and the house went into committee
Of the whole for consideration Of the for
ti6cations Hpprop iations bill.
Livingston. In charge OF the bill, eI-
planned that the total sum carried by the
bill was s. 2l9 G54 upon an estimate Of
ST. 43s 4l3. The Notifications bill IN the
Fifty-First congress carried a.. 232 935.
Bingham. on behalf OF the majority. said
he had no objections against the bill itself.
but 20 the declaration Of depleted treas
ury. The bill passed
The house went back in COMMITTEES Of the
whole for the confederation OF the pension
appropriation bill. O'Nsill. Of Massaehu-
setts. In charge Of the measure. explained
that the bill carried for the fiscal year end
ing June 30. 1895. Sl45i9, $50 less than the
bill last ysar. The original estimate for
the coming fiscal year was SlG2, ZOO. 900. but
it had been revised and cut down later by
Commissioner LOehren.
O'Neill argued that the maximum pen
sions appropriations had been passed and
heresfter there would be "a material Teduc-
tion in the amount needed for pensions.
ONeill defended Commissioner Loohren.
Meredith. democrat of Virginia. made a
sensational speech protesting against max
ing the pension rolls a roll of dishonor. in
the name Of n state that paid three times
aa much for pensions as Vermont. Toward
the end OF Meredith's speech a most sKcit-
| ing scene occurred, which almost eventu-
Gtsd in personal collision between him
and Funk, of Illinois. Meredith Was still
talkiRR about fraudulent pensions and
said: IF l can Judge from the fact that a
man seems healthy and strong, and yet
gets q pension by reason OF disability, / say
/ believe that man lied when he swOrs he
had been crippled in the army"
Il want 20 say IL the gentleman is hon
est" interrupted Funk, republican. of Illi-
nois. "und stating what he belives true. Il
be does not make that case known 90 the
proper authorities he IL pot a good citizen"
II want to say this." interrupted Mere.
dith, holly. III the gentleman undertakes
to insinuate that | am dishonest. If the
gentleman undertakes 20 -" Without
completing his sentence Meredith left his
place and hurried over TO where Funk was
standing.
Il did not say So" protested Funk, as
Meredith advanced towards him In a
threatening manner.
You had better not say So" returned
Meredith, still advancing up the aisle. A
personal encounter was imminent. Mem
bers crowded down about the bslligerents
amid tho most intense excitement and con-
fusion. Finally Meredith clinched his fist
aud shook IL uuder the nose of his adVer-
sarg. by this time Funk. who had pre-
viouslY displayed no feeling, shouted out
somsthinR about standing by what be said.
Meredith again assumed threatening
posture. but members around took him by
the shoulders 40 II 90 prevent blow being
struck. All this time Cultivate. who WAS
IresidinR, was pounding vigorously for
order but without effect, aud speaker Crisp,
who had been hurriedly sent for. mounted
the rostrum and assumed the gnvsl.
Il undertake to say yOu are not my
keeper" shouted Meredith. as be was
backed down the aisle by friends.
Il stand by my rroposiiion. shouted
back Funk. who was held on one side by
Doolittle and on the other by Payne.
either here OF anywhere else"
"lhe serReant-at-Rfms will cause the
gentlemen 20 be seated" said the speaker.
An assistant sergeant-atArms rapidly
cleared the aisles aud tho memoe resumed
their rseatG