Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-02-08
CALLED HIM A LIAR
Breckenridge and Hurd Banded
Ep thels in the House.
NEARLY CAME TO BLOWS
Beliigerents Were Parted and Hustled
Up he Bar Before the
spe k.r.

Washington, Feb. IA scene of the
widest and most intense excitement
occurred in the house at the conclusion
of the dabate on Hits resolution to-
day. growing out of a personal diff
Guilty between Messrs. Breckenridge of
Kentucky and Heard of Missouri, in
which the epithets of puppy" Cow
ard. :" 'scoundrel'' and liar" were ban
died. One blow was struck, when
friends interposed and the sergeant-at-
arms arrested the two offenders, and
brought them to the bar of the house,
where Mr.. Breckenridge, in the course
of an explanation. practically challeng-
ed Mr.. Heard, and demanded personal
satisfaction.
Mr.. Heard, who was in charge of the
District of Columbia business, cut off
Mr. Breckenridge, who was attempting
to address the house on the Hawaiian
resolution. by demanding the previous
question on the adoption of the resolu-
ton Mr.. Breckenridge Immediately
moved around from his side to where
Mr.. Heard was located, and hot words
followed Mr.. Breckenridge protested
against Mr.. Heard's rudeness. The lat
ter declared that he was only doing his
duty. ''1mpudent puppy" shouted
Breckenridge Liar was the word
hurled back by Heard. At this word
| Breckenridge put his foot on the step
on which the benches are located and
let drive right-hand punch at Heard S
head. In an instant hands were ex-
tended to restrain the Kentuckian, and
the tide of members swept him 20 feet
up the main aisle. but he continued to
struggle and wrestle with his captors,
Pence and Cultivate. The house and
galleries We're in an uproar. Bedlam
had broken loose over it all the crack
of the speakers gavel sounded, as he at
tempted to quell the riot. The speaker
directed the sergeant-at-arms to arrest
the offenders. The venerable officer
grabbed the silver mace, the emblem of
house authority, and rushed up the
aisle. 1t was crowded with a seething
mass of members. Whey they had ell
bowed their way to the scene, Breckin-
ridge was still struggling with those
who held him. His antagonist Heard,
stood calmly in his place. Misunder-
standing Pence's attempt to quiet
Breckenridge, who was trembling like
an aspen with overweight excite
ment, Colonel Hill and his assistants
arrested both Breckenridge and Pence.
PUSHED TO THE BAR
Mr.. Heard finally was pushed in to
the arms of the deputy sergeant-at-
arms AS they came together Breckin-
ridge made a desperate effort to free
himself. You are a coward and"
he yelled at Heard but the stalwart
Mr.. Robinson roughly pulled Breckin-
ridge forward, and the two representa-
rat har 40 Cd
to the bar of the house The speaker
ordered all to take their seats. Take
it back" shouted Breckenridge, as he
glared at Heard, who stood, himself in
custody before the bar.
You called me an impudent puppy
answered Heard. Meantime, the speak
er in stern tones, was driving the ex-
cited and frantic members back with
The heavy blows of his gavel. Breckn-
ridge was appealing for recognition
but the speaker would not hear him
After all the members were seated, he
ordered Heard and Breckenridge back
to their seats and then recognized the
kentuckian.
Breckinridge began his apology in
humble tones. mo one," he began.
can regret more than l that any per-
sonai difiiculty should occur on this
1loor, but when l thought | had been
taken oil the floor with rudeness
went to Heard and said to him he
could not do business in that way He
replied that 1t was an insolent state
ment and that l was AN impairment
scoundrel'
He called me scoundrel." inter
posed Heard.
lie called me liar" went on Breck-
ihf1dge, ignoring the interruption. Il
ought not to have resented it, Mr. Speak
er, ne said, turning to the chair. but
as the Mississippi judge once said, The
lie was the first assault and in spite
OF my white hairs, l could not restrain
myself. l apologize to the speaker and
to the house. To the gentleman | will
say, he added, as he turned and looked
squarely at Heard, his voice rising to
one of defiance, Il will say that no
feellng can remain between him and
l. a scattering burst of applause
greeted this and Breckenridge took his
seat
The house sat waiting for reply
MI. Heard appeared to be calm. hut la
boring under great excitement mot
since l began my congressional career
ne began. have l been embroiled in
personal controversy" Mr.. Heard then
explained that the day had been set
apart for District Of Columbia business
and he had felt it his duty when the op-
posing leaders to the Hawaiian resolu-
uon had made their statements. to de-
fnand the previous question. The gen
tieman from Kentucky had hurried over
and stated in tone which he regarded
as an insult that the house would do no
business today. He had thereupon de-
manded the yeas and nays, whereupon
the gentleman from Kentucky had
called him an insolent and impudent
thing. HE followed he said, " that
statement with personal assault upon
me. He called me a scoundrel"
IF l said that l will withdraw it," in
-erposed Breckenridge. II do not think
said it,
And l believe he did say it," said
Heard.
IF after my disclaimer the gentleman
still insists that l said it," replied
II withdraw 1t. He does
lot deserve it,"
Heard denied that he intended to |
question Breckinridge's veracity. but |
stated that in his excitement the eent1a-