The herald., 1894-03-03
BELL|GERENTL LAWMAKERS
A Lively Scrap in the House
of Representatives.
Meredith and Funk Engage in
a War Of Words.
A Fight With Fists Averted by the
Intervention of Friends.
Consideration of Appropriation Bills Be.
gun-GaIusha A. Crows Return
to Congress-Othor DoinKs
at the Capital.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON. March 2.-In the house
today the bill which has been before
congress for several sessions for the
opening to settlement OF certain aban-
doned military reservations was taken
up, after some business OF minor im-
portance, and after soms discussion was
passed.
Ex-Speaker Galusha A. Grow, the
newly elected ongressman-at-lArge from
Pennsylvania, was sworn in.
Judge Holman introduced Grow In q
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
the consideration of the resolution to
Investigate the action of Judge Jenkina
in granting an injunction against the
employees OF the Northern Pacific rail-
road.
Kilgore objected and the house went
into committee of the whole for consid-
Grafton of the Notifications appropria-
tions bill.
Livingston, in charge of the bill. ex-
planned that ths total sum carried by
the bill is $2,2l9 654, upon an estimate
of 81, 438, Alb. The fortifications bill in
the fifty first congress carried 81, 232, 1886.
Bingham, on behalf of the minority,
said he had no objections against the
bill itself, but it was a declaration of a
depleted treasury.
General debate was closed, and the bill
was then read by paragraphs. Two
minor amendments were adopted, and
the bill passed.
The house then went back in commit
tee of the whole for consideration OF the
pension appropriation bill. O'Neill of
Massachusetts, in charge of the measure,
explained that the bill carried for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1895, $14,-
BIO $50 Iess than the bill OF last year.
The original estimate for the coming hs-
cal year WAS $l62, 900, 600, but it had been
revised and cut down later by Commits
Hionsr Lochren.
O'Neill argued tnat the maximum
pensions appropriations were passed,
and hereafter there would be q material
reduction in the amount needed for
pensions. He defended Commissioner
Lochren.
Groate of Vermont followed with an
assault ON Commissioner Lochren's ac-
ton in the wholesale suspension of PEN
sioners.
Meredith (Dem.l of Virginia made a
sensational speech protesting against
making the pension roll q roll OF dis
honor. in the name Of the state that
paid three times as much for pensions
as Vermont.
Toward the end OF Meredith's speech,
q most exciting scene occurred, which
almost eventuated in q personal coll
lieion between him and Funk of Illinois.
Meredith was still taking about fraudu-
lent pensinns and said: "If | can Judge
from the fact that man seems healthy
and strong, and yet gets q pension by
reason of disability, l say believe that
man lied when he swore he had been
crippled in the arm"
Il want to say if the gentleman is
honest" interrupted Funk (Rep.) of
Illinois, ''and stating what be believes
to be true, if he does not make that case
known to the proper authorities he 10
not good citizen"
81 want to say this" returned Mere
dith, ''if the gentleman undertakes to
insinuate l am dishonest; if the gentle.
man undertakes to-"
Without completing his sentence
Meredith left his place and hurried
over to where Funk was standing.
II did not sav So" protested Funk as
Meredith advanced in q threatening
manner.
"You better not say so," returned
Meredith, still advancing up the aisle.
A personal encounter was imminent.
Members crowded down about the bei-
ligerents amid the most intense excite
ment and confusion. Finally Meredith
clinched his fist and ehook it under the
nose of his adversary. By this time
Funk, who previously had displayed no
feeling. shouted something about stand
ing by what he said.
Meredith again assumed a threaten.
ing posture, but the members around
took him by the shoulders as il to pre-
vent blow being struck.
All this time Outhwsite, who was
presiding, was pounding vigorously for
order, but without effect, and Speaker
Crisp, who had been hurriedly sent foRs
mounted the rostrum and assumed the
gsvel.
Il undertake to say you are not my
keeper" shouted Meredith, as he was
backed down the aisle by friends.
Il stand by my proposition" shouted
back Funk, who WAS held on one side
by Doolittle and on tho other by Payne,
''either here or anywhere else"
"The sergeant-at-srms will Gauss the
gentlemen to be seated" Haid the
speaker. The assistant Eergeant-at-
arms rapidly cleared the aisles and the
members resumed their seats.
a
THE WILSON BILL.