The record-union., 1894-03-03
LIVELYSCENES Tn 1'HE HOUSE.
War of Words Between Represent
atiyes Meredith and Funk.
ALMOST RESULTING IN A PER-
SONAL COLLISION.
Now That the Bland Silver Seignior-
age Bill Has Been Disposed of, the
House VIII Devote Its Attention to
Consideration of the Great Appro-
prlation BilIS-Considerable Doubt
Yet as to the Tariff on Coal.
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

Special to the RECORD-UNIoN
WASHINGTON, March 2.--The proceed
ings of the House were enlivened to-day
during consideration of the pension ap-
preparation bill by a war of words be-
tween Meredith (Dem.) of Virginia and
Funk (Rep.) of Illinois, which came near
resulting in personal encounter.
The bill which has been before Con-
gress several sessions for opening to set
| tlement several abandoned military res
ervations was taken up after some busi-
ness of minor importance and after some
discussion passed.
Grow, the newly elected Congressman
at-Large from Pennsylvania, was sworn
in. Judge Holman introduced Grow in
felicitous speech. A burst of applause
greeted Grow as he stepped down the
aisle TO take his place at the bar of the
House.
Boatner asked unanimous consent for
consideration of the resolution to investi-
gate the action of Judge Jenkins in
granting an injunction against the en-
ployes of the Northern Pacific Railroad.
Kilgore objected, and the House went
into Committee of the Whole for consd-
Grafton OF the Notifications appropriation
bill.
Livingston, in charge of the bill. ex-
planned that the total sum carried by the
bill was S2,2l9,654, upon an estimate of
81, ,43S, 4l3. The fortitications bill in the
Eifty-tirSt Congress carried s., 232 935.
Bingham, on behalf of the minority,
said he had no objections against the bill
itself, but its declaration Of depleted
treasury.
General debate closed, and the bill was
read by paragraphs. Two minor amend
ments were adopted and the bill passed.
The House went back to Committee of
the Whole for consideration of the pen
sions appropriation bill.
O'Neili of Massachusetts, in charge of
the measure, explained that the bill car
ried for the fiscal year ending June, 1895,
Sl4, ,5l9, $50 less than the bill of last year
The original estimate for the coming tis-
cal year was Sl62, 200, 900, but it had been
revised and cut down later by Commits
soner Lochren. O'Neill argued that the
maximum Of pensions appropriations
had passed, and hereafter there would be
a material reduction in the amount needed
for pensions. He defended Commissioner
Lochren.
Groate of Vermont followed with an
assault on Commissioner Lochren's action
in the wholesale suspension Of pension
ers.
Meredith (Dem.) of Virginia made
sensational speech, protesting against the
making of the pension rolls roll of dis
honor in the name of a State that paid
three times as much for pensions as Ner-
mont.
Toward the end of Meredith's speech a
most exciting scene occurred, which al
most eventuated in personal collision
between him and Funk Of Illinois, Mere
dith was still talking about fraudulent
pensions, and said: eff l can Judge from
the fact that man seems healthy and
strong, and yet gets pension by reason
of disability, l say | believe that man lied
when he swore he had been crippled in
the arm.D
Il want to say if the gentleman is
honest" Interrupted Funk (Rep.) of Hill
nois, land is stating what he believes to
be true, if he does not make that case
known to the proper authorities he is not
a good citizen.''
a. want to say this" returned Mere
dith. hotly, ''if The gentleman undertakes
to insinuate that l am dishonest, if the
gentleman undertakes to" Without
completing his sentence Meredith left his
place and hurried over to where Funk
was standing. Il did not say So" pro-
tested Funk, as Meredith advanced to-
ward him in threatening manner.
You had better not say So" returned
Meredith, still advancing uD the aisle
A personal encounter was imminent
Members crowded down about the bellig-
erents, and amidst the most intense ex-
element and confusion. Finally Mere
dith clinched his fist and shook it under
the nose of his adversary.
BY this time Funk, who previously dis
played no feeling, shouted out something
about standing by what he said.
Meredith again assumed a threatening
posture, but the members around took |
him by the shoulders as if to prevent a |
blow being struck.
All this time Cultivate, who was pre-
siding, pounded vigorously for order, |
but without effect, and Speaker Crisp, |
who had been hurriedly sent for, mounted |
the rostrum and assumed the gavel.
II undertake to say you are not my |
keeper" shouted Meredith, as he was |
backed down the aisle by friends.
II stand by the proposition" shouted |
back Funk, who was held on one side by |
Doolittle and on the other by Payne, |
"either here or anywhere else.''
'"Tbe Sergeant-at-Arms will cause the |
gentleman 10 be seated, said the Speaker |
The Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms rap
idly cleared the aisles, and the members
resumed their seats.