Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-03
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name of State that had paid three times
as much for pensions as Vermont
That's because there are more OF
YOU" suggested Mr.. Grout.
But we get no benefit" returned
Mr.. Meredith.
That's because you were on the
wrong slde." suggested Mr.. johnson,
rep, Indisna).
Whether a man is a patriot or a
rebel, retorted Mr.. Meredith, depends
upon the result. Success makes a
patriot Of him whom defeat makes a
rebel Of. That was the case in 1776. "
Mr.. Meredith went on to cite cases
which he said made him believe that
there were hundreds and thousands OF
fraudulent pensioners on the rolls.
During the progress of his speech he
denounced the Republicans for refusing
TO vote when the seigniorage bill was up.
why did not you count US" asked
Mr.. Reed.
'If they had put me in the chair"
replied Mr.. Meredith, II would have
administered TO you, your own medi-
cine. 1 would have counted" Repub-
lican applause.
Il am glad to find there is one man Of
some sense on that side," retorted Mr.
Reed. Laughter.
Toward the end of his speech a most
exciting scene occurred, which almost
ended in a personal collision between
him and Mr.. Funk, of Illinois
Mr. Meredith was still talking about
fraudulent pensions, and was having an
animated alteration with Mr.. Baker,
of New Ham pshire. over case which
sonal observation, where q Union sol
dier was obtaining a pension for disa-
bilaty which he incredibly claimed he
did not have.
III can judge from the fact that
man seems sound" said he, land yet
gets a pension by reason of disability;
when | see him day by day and week by
week and year by year. in my plain,
homespun, country way of speaking, |
say that l believe that the man lied
when he went before the officials and
swOre that, he had been crippled In the
army"
81 want TO say, if the gentleman is
honest" interrupted Mr., Funk, rep.
Illinois), rising in his place, land is
stating what he believes 10 be true, that
if ho does not make that case known TO
the proper authorities he IS not good
citizen"
II want to say this" returned Mr..
Meredith hotly, that II the gentleman
undertakes TO insinuate that l am dis
honest, il the gentleman undertakes
to"
Without completing his sentence Mr..
Meredith left his place TO the right Of
the Speakers chair and hurried over to
where Mr.. Funk was standing in side
aisle to the left.
81 did not say So" protested Mr..
Funk, as Mr.. Meredith advanced toward
him In a threatening manner.
"You had better not say so, returned
Mr.. Meredith, still advancing up the
aisle.
personal encounter was imminent.
Members crowded down about the bel
ligerents, amid the most intense excite
ment and confusion. They were both
talking at the same time. Finally Mr..
Meredith clinched his fist and
shook it under the nose Of
his adversary. By this time,
Mr.. Funk, who had previously dis
played no feeling, shouted out some
thing about standing by what he said.
Mr.. Meredith again assumed a threat
ening posture, but the me mbers who
had crowded around, gently took him
by the shoulders, as il to prevent blow
from being struck. All this time,
Mr.. Cultivate, who was pre-
siding, was pounding vigor-
Ously for order, but without effect, and
Speaker Crisp. who had been hurriedly
sent for, mounted the rostrum and as
sumed the gavel, and he is allowed un
der the rules TO do when the House is
10 Committee of the Whole, in times OF
great disorder.
A few sharp raps Of the Speakers
gave produced a measure Of quiet, and
the House recognized the hand Of the
presiding officer.
"The Sergeant.at-Arms will cause the
gentlemen to be seated" said the
Speaker In firm tones. Every gentle
man will be seated" he continued.
The assistant Sergeant-at-Arms rap
idly cleared the asles and the members
resumed their seats, and the excitement
quieted down.
Mr. Meredith walked back to his seat
and sat down.
After order had been restored Mr..
Meredith arose and protes6ed, amid
laughter. that he was not excited. but
that gentlemen could hardly do here
what they might do elsewhere. With
this parting shot. he closed his speech
and Immediately the House, which was
at a high tension, on motion Of Mr..
Sayres, took a recess until $ o'clock, the
evening session to be devoted to pension
legislation.