Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-03
"A L M 0 S T A FIGHT
Still Another Peculiar Scene in the House
of Representatives
MIR. Meredith and MIR. Funk Have
Words About a Pension and Blo~s
Are Narrowly Averted.

Mr.. Meredith OF Virginia made q pension
speech in the House yesterday afternoon
which was attended with stirring accom-
paniments.
Toward the end OF Mr.. Meredith's speech
a most exciting scene occurred. which al.
most eventuated in a personal collision be-
tween hin. and Mr.. Funk Of Illinois. Mr..
Meredith was still talking about fraudu-
lent pensions and was having an animated
alteration with Mr.. Baker Of New Hamp-
shire over a case which had come under
his (Meredith's) personal observation. where
a Union soldier was obtaining a pension for
disability which he (Meredith) claimed
he did not have.
IF L can Judge from The fact that a man
seems healthy and strong" said he. and
yet gets pension by reason OF disability:
when 1 see him day by day. and week by
week. and year by year. in my plain home
spun country way OF speaking. ] say that I
believe that that man lied when he went
before the officials and swore that he had
been crippled in the army
II want to say, If the gentleman il hon.
est" interrupted Mr.. Funk Ull-). rising In
his place; and is stating what he believes
TO be true. that II he does not make that case
known to the proper autho titles, he is not
a good citizen"
II want to say this" returned Mr. Mere
dith holly, that if the gentleman under
taxes 10 lnSliIOdte tndl am dlSnOntsts II
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 a side aisle to the left
Il did not say So" protested Mr.. Funk.
as Mr.. Meredith advanced toward him In Q
threatening manner.
You had better not say So" returned
Mr.. Meredith. still advancing up the aisle.
A personal encounter was imminent. Mem
bers crowded down about the belligerents
amid the most intense excitement and con-
fusion. They were both talking at the same
time Finally, Mr.. Meredith clinched his
fist and shook IL unde- the nose OF his adj
versary. BY this time Mr. Funk. who had
previously displayed no feeling, shouted out
something about standing by what he said.
MIR. Meredith again assumed a threatening
posture, but the members who had crowded
around gently took him by the shoulder as
If TO prevent a blow from being struck. All
this time Mr.. Cultivate. who WAS presiding
over the committee of the whole. was
pounding vigorously for order, but without
effect, and Speaker Crisp. who had been
hurriedly sent for, mounted the rostrun
and assumed the gavel as he is allowed
under the rules TO do when the House is In
committee of the whole in times OF great
disorder
Il undertake TO say that you are not my
keeper" shouted Mr. Meredith. he was
backed down the aisle 10y his friends.
Il stand by that proposition, shouted
back MIR. Funk. who was held on one side
by Mr.. Doolittle, and on the other by Mr..
Payne, either here or anywhere else"
A few sharp raps of the Speakers gavel
produced a measure Of quiet. The House
recognized the hand Of the presiding off,
GER
THE sergeant-at-arms viii cause gentle
men TO be seated" said the Speaker in firm
tones. Every gentleman Will be seated" he
continued. The assistant sergeant-at-arms
rapidly cleared the aisles and the members
resumed their seats. The excitement quiet
ed down, Mr.. Meredith walked back TO his
seat and sat down. After order had been
restored MIR. Meredith arose and protested
amid laughter that he was not excited, but
that gentlemen could hardly do here what
they might do elsewhere. With this part
ing shot he closed his speech, and imme-
diately the House which was at a high ten
sion, on motion of Mr.. Sayers, took a recess
until o'clock, the evening session to be de-
voted to pension legislation.