The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-03
FISTS CLENCHED TO FIGHT
Col. WaTilg Russell DelOunCeS as
False Statements BY NT. c. \. West.

the georgia historical 30EAGbN
duced Quite a Stir-DIr West Reiter-
ated His Statement and Started for
Col. Russell TO Resent the Insult.
An Encounter Prevented and a Reso-
luton Passed Censuring Col. Rus
sell for His Unparliamentery and
Indecorous Language.
The course Of the meeting of the Geor-
gia Historical Society took rather IN
expected turn last night, and it was only
through the efforts of cooler heads that a
personal encounter between Mr.. Charles
N. West and Col. Waring Russell was
avoided.
A statement made by Mr.. West that a
combination had been formed by Col
Russell to bring about his defeat in the
election for curators, was the cause of the
whole trouble AS a mat.r of personal
privilege Col Russell arose to refute the
statement, and before concluding his re-
marks he called Mr.. West a liar.
Mr.. West reiterated the statement
that such a combination had been formed
stating he believed it then and he still
believed it to be true. Col Russell again
gave Mr.. West the lie, and the two men
started for each other, but were re
strained from coming together. After
considerable discussion a resolution, in
troduced by Capt. II. c. Cunningham,
severely censuring both Col. Russel's
language and actions was passed unani-
mously, with the exception of the vote of
Mr. William Harden, which was cast
against it.
COL. RUssELL's Personal PRIVILEGE.
After the regular business before the
society had been concluded and the head
of miscellaneous business was taken up,
Col Russell arose to a question Of per
sonal privilege He said he desired to
make a statement to the Georgia His
torical Society.
81 notice this article in the Press Of
March 80 he said, and proceeded to read
1t. The article went on to state that on
account of the resignation of Mr. Hubbeu
Mr.. West had become a candidate for
curator.
In the article Mr.. West was quoted as
saying that he became a candidate as a
matter Of principle; that his object was
to show whether or not Waring Russell
and his combination had control Of the
society's affairs. and that Col. Russell
was opposed to him on personal grounds.
Col. Russell then read q z statement
from the Press Of the next day relating to
some portion of the report of the meeting
which appeared in the MORNING News.
Col Russell then went on to state that he
and many others Of those present were at
the meeting on the night of the election.
SAID HE HAD NOT SEEN THEM
'Some of the gentlemen I nominated
that night are here" he said. my inten-
ton was to nominate the Old board of cur
ators ! nominated the old board, with
the exception that put on the ticket the
name of Col. VIM Garrard. ] call on
Messrs Charlton, Mum, Hubbell and
others and asked them if they knew be-
forehand that was going to nominate
them, or said one word to them about it.
ask them if / said a word to them against
Mr.. West / call on every member of the
board of curators to answer"
Col. G. A. Mercer stated that he was
out Of the city at the time. and that Col
Russell had not said a word about the
election to him.
Col J. Fl. M. Clinch also stated that he
had never been addressed by Col Russell
about the matter.
SAID IT WAS FALSE.
Col. Russell said it was with reluctance
he made the statement He hated strife,
and hated men who were ever ready to
stir up strife, but the misstatements and
aspersions against him in that article,
and the statement made by Mr.. West
were such that he could not do otherwise.
Looking straight at Mr. West, and trem-
bling with excitement Col. Russell said
Mr. West knew every word he uttered
was false. AS he stands here before this
board, he knows every statement he made
was false"
Here Gen. jackson, president of the
society, stopped Col Russell, and told
him he could not continue if he used such
language.
II was stating the truth, Mr.. Presi-
dent said Col. Russell. Il had q right
TO do it. II you were accused of murder
would you submit to the accusation or
would you hurl it back in the face of the
accuser3' MIR. Russell then took his seat
and Mr.. West arose.
REITERATED HIS STATEMENT.
Mr. West stated that he had no doubt
that the nominations had been made by a
combination. Il believe it" said Mr..
West, land there are many others here,
ana there are others who were at that
meeting, who had the same feeling
II believed it then and l believe it now.
So far as any aspersons are concerned,
when that statement was made ! was dis
cusslng the matter in conversation with
two gentlemen and had no idea that il
would be published. ] was unaware that
one Of those present was q reporter for
AAD 90 DCAlN fNAi tllNAA lllAe -tll SaNll
did make that com oinatiou' and l believe
it." Mr.. West would have said
snow, but he was stopped by Col. Rus
sell, who rose quickly to his feet.
THE LIE PASSED.
"You believe a stained lie" shouted
Col. Russell. "Yo on told a lie and YOU
know you told it. You are liar and yol
know you lie.
With that MIR. West rose quickly from
his seat, both hands clenchcd and started
around to where Col Russell was stand
ing. Col. Russell snatched up his walk
ing cane and started TO meet him.
MIR. West and Col Russell happened TO
be seated on opposite sides of the stable
The gentlemen sitting near each, quietly
took hold of them and prevented then
coming together, They were seated
again.
FELT OUTRAGED.
No sooner had Mr.. West and Col Rus
rel taken their seats than Capt. II. c
Cunningham was on his feet. He said h,
felt outraged by such proceedings, and
every member Of the society felt out
ragged. He looked at Col. Russell as ht
spoke.
''You have no rigst, " he said, "to max,
a beer garden of this place. No member
has a right to disgrace this society as h,
has done tonight pointing TO Col Rus
SELL The society should say to him if h,
mas a private difficulty with any member