The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1894-05-24
THE HOUSE ASTONlSHED.
A PECULIAR INTERRUPTION FROM
THE GALLERIES.

a Colored Drank Threatens Destruction
of tho Public Buildings IL Ccx. va Meas-
urts AFRO Not Passed.
WASHINGTON, May 14.-The day In
the House was devoted to the considera.
tion of business relating to the District
of Columbia of local interest only.
A disturbance was Hcreatrd in the
House by the sudden interruption Of
the even tenor of the proceedings by
burly negro In the centre gallery aris.
ing In his place and shouting: "Mr.
Speaker of the House Of Representa-
tives."
Instantly the House was In confusion
and all eyes were turned upon the new
orator In the gallery. The Speaker, who
was the first to regain his cOmposure,
directed the doorkeeper to remove the
off 4nder.
The man was of powerful physique,
and the doorkeeper WAS unable to
outs him for some time, the negro en-.
deavorinR to deliver his alleged divine
ly inspired message to the effect that
the Lord had commanded him to come
to the Speaker Of the House and order
him to pass the Coxey bills. He was
finally elected.
The crank's name is Matthew A.
Cherry. He Is blacksmith, residing
in this city. lie insists that he is not
insane, but his mind Is manitestly un-
balanced. When questioned by the
Capitol police, he aid that unless the
"Coxey good roads" bill was passed,
there would be general destruction Of
Congress would be given until the Oath
instant to pass the bill. II 1t did not
become law by that time, the public
buildings would be destroyed by boInbe.
He was arrested by the Capitol police
and taken to the guard room in the
basement of the capitol. He was per.
fectly tractable and offered no violence.
He was retained In the guard room
about thirty minutes, when he was
fore entering the gallery, Cherry endea-
vored to see Speaker Crisp. He called
at the corridor which luns in the rear
OF the House chamber and was stopped
by the doorkeeper. Speaker Crisp's
3 room is situated at the East end Of this
8 corridor, where three doorkeepers
r are stationed. A colored messenger
j room. When the crank demanded to
f see the Speaker, the doorkeeper asked
, his business The crank replied that
he desired an audience with Speaker
Q Crisp, but refused to state for what rea.
: son. Upon the dOOrkeeper, again stern =
ly refusing to.comply with his request,
the crank faced about and went up in
n the gallery.
o zine town is full Of cranks," said Col
o Snow, the Sergeant-at-ArlhS Of the
n House, in speaking Of Cherry's
It arrest "You can't walk Pennsylvania
It avenue without meeting them at every
turn. There is IN individuality about
n cranks and student Of human nature
:. will recognize one at a glance. We
= have taken every precaution to guard
y the members of the House from the vio-
lent actions of these people, for crank
Is violent when you least expect 1t. But
no precautiOn can prevent an evil dis
posed person from coming into the gal
l lery with destructive weapon IN his
z pocket. During the excitement about
| the first Of the month, we kept an OFF,
Ger In citizens clothes In the gallery,
, and every suspicious person was care
fully watched. 1t is our rule not to
permit persons carrying valises or pack
ages Of any description TO enter the gal
lery. Where man is regarded with
suspicion, the officers keep close to him
to prevent any overt act. There prob
ably never were SO many cranks in
WashlngtonIas at presant'and the White
House ana the Capitol are their storm
centres. Dol anticipate trouble with
them? do not. because no precaution
Is neglected to protect erybOdy about
the Capitol.
The promptness with which Cherry
was elected from the House gallery
| sho ws the excellent system In vogue at
( the Capitol in reference to cranks.
} Cherry had not spoken fifteen seconds
: before doorkeeper Bowen grabbed him
by the collar and dragged him Into the
= corridor out side,