Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-12
CONGRESSMAN AND CLERK
Hot Blood Between Representative Wells
and Watson q. Cook.


Congressman Wells of the sixth district
Of Wisconsin and Watson H. Cook, clerk in
the pension bureau and brother to Con-
gressman-elect s. A. Cook of the sixth Wis
consin district. are not on amicable terms.
Their relations have become so strained
that 1T has been suggested that bloodshed
might be imminent. Mr.. Cook charges that
Congressman Wells is prosecuting him be-
cause of his defeat by G,S67 plurality IN the
sixth district by S. A. Cook at the last cleo
ton and that because of this Congressman
Wells had Nash Cook, son Of complainant
Cook, dismissed from the folding room of
the Capitol. where he had been appointed
through the influence of Congressman
Lynch of the ninth district of Wisconsin,
and also preferred charges against plain
tiff Cook, which resulted in his dismissal
from the pension bureau.
Cooks Side of the story.
Mr.. Cook explains the situation by say
ing that last fall he went home to Wis
consin on his annual leave. Congressman
Wells was making vigorous campaign
against his brother, s. A. Cook. In a
speech at Stockbridge he told the audi
ence that at Washington he had once
found the brother of the opposing candidate
a pauper lounging on the steps of the Post
Office Department and had helped him
out by giving him $40 bill and then had
him appointed to position at 5000. and at
different times had him promoted from
$3.50 to 81, 400, and then to 81 $40. Mr.. Wat
son Cook claimed that this was false, ana
went on the stump against Mr. Weils.
This led to an interview between the
two at Appleton, Wis, in the presence OF
several Witnesses in which an agreement
Was entered into by which Mr.. Watson
Cook was 10 leave the county till the cam
paign was closed. and Congressman Wells
was not to modest him in his government
position. Congressman Wells returned to
this city a few days ago, and, 1t Is said.
filed charges last Friday against Mr.. Cook,
which resulted in his dismissal.
Blood ON the Face of the Moon.
Mr.. Cook went to the Capitol and had q
spirited converse with the Wisconsin men,
Der. He reminded Representative Wells OF
the agreement which had been made at
Appleton. Wis. Mr. Cook charges that
Congressman Wells used bad Language
and asserted that lie would have Cook dis
charged.
Hot words followed and Mr.. Cook is re-
ported to have said
IF you have put me out of Office through
pure spite, before l see my family suffer,
l will challenge you to duel with any
weapon from sword to Winchester. You
can take your pick"
THAT suits me exactly" responded the
| amended his remark thus: NO, when
| fight, l want to night gentleman"
| a further exchange followed and II
| looked like fight on the spot. Matters
| however, have now quieted down.
Mr.. Cook was appointed to a clerkshir
| in the Post Office Department in 1885 by
Senator Villas. Thence he was transferred
| to the pension Office, but was dismissed
| under the Tanner regime. He took the
| civil service examination and was appoint
| ed copyist in the pension office, and has
| received various promotions, having been
| at the time of his late dismissal in charge
| of the medical, chief clerks and appoint
ment division files.