The record-union., 1895-02-02
SOUTHERN BLOOD BOILED.
AMost Exciting Scene in the House
of Representatives
CONGRESSMEN BRECKENRIDGE AND
HEARD COME TO BLOWS
Separated Before Any Serious Damage
Was Done - Both Belligerents
Brought to the Bar of the House
and Forced to Apologize They
Finally Shook Hands and Peace
Again Reigned.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

most exciting scene in the House OF Rep-
resentatives this morning when Repre-
sentative breckenridge of Kentucky and
Representative Heard of Missouri came
to blows in the center of the aisle In the
middle OF the hall. Representative Heard
Chairman of the Committee on the Dis
trict of Colum bia, became angered be-
cause the Hawaiian question was being
brought forward in the time devoted tC
his committee, and he attempted to secure
the floor.
The beginning of the controversy was
not plain, but suddenly both members
springing toward each other, Breckinridge
shouting: You are a scoundrel, a cuI
and liar" striking at the member from
Missouri a fierce blow, which missed
him. Instantly they were seized by the
other members, but they struggled
tiercely to get at each other, shouting
Liar ~
Pence OF Colorado had Breckinridge by
the throat and McCreary of kentucky
climbed over several seats and held hlm
by the shoulder. For three or four min
utes there was a wild scram mbling resem-
bling football rush, while all the MEM
bers of the House poured into the aisle
aud great confusion reigned.
The pounding OF the Speakers gavel
could not be heard, but Crisp's voice rang
above the tumult, shouting: The Ser
geant- Arms will arrest the memb bers. "
And then: The SergeanI-at-A Arms will
bring them before the oar of the House"
Deputy ergeant-at-Arms Isaac Hill
rushed down the aisle bearing d great
mace, followed by his assistants.
The two members were then brought
up before the Speakers desk, two men
on each side holding their arms, and
Representative Dockery of Missouri
standing behind them. Breckinridge was
excited and red in the face, while Heard,
who is a slender man, was pale ana
trembling like leaf.
After ali the mem DerS were seated, the
Speaker ordered Heard and Breck inridge
back to their seats, and then recognized
the kentucklan. With his frame trem-
bing with excitement, his silver hair
tum bling back from his forehead, Breckin-
ridge arose, attempting 10 restrain himself.
BreckinridEe began his apology in hum
bic tones. NO one," he began, "can re-
gret more than l that any personal diff
Guilty should occur on this floor, but when
| thought ! had been taken OFT the floor
with rudeness. L went to Mr.. Heard and
said to him that he could not do business
in that way. lie replied that that was an
insUlent statement, and that L was an Inn
pertinent scoundrei.' -
HE called me scoundrel," interposed
Heard.
He called me liar" went on Brock
inridge, ignoring the interruption. 81
ought not to have resented IT, Mr..
Speaker" he continued, turning to the
chair, but as Mississippi Judge once
said, The lie was first assault and in
spite of my white hairs l could not re-
strain myself. apologize to the Speaker
and to tie House. 10 the gentleman
will say" he added, as he turned and
looked squarely at Heard, his voice rising
to one OF defiance, II will say that thai
cannot remain between him and me-"
y scattering burst of applause greeted
this, and Mr. Breckenridge took his seat.
The House sat breathlessly waiting for
the reply. Mr.. Heard appeared TO he
calm. but he was also evidently laboring
under great excitement.
Not once in his long Congressional
career, he began, had he been embroiIed III
personal controversy on the floor of the
House. Mr.. Heard then explained the
situation. To-day, he said, had been sci
apart for District Of Columbia business
and he had felt it his duty when the op-
posing leaders on the HaW allan resolu-
tion had finished their statements 10 de.
mand the previous question. The gen.
tleman from kentucky then hurried over
TO him and said in tones which he regard &c
rs an insult, that the House would do nc
business to-day. He had Ihereupon de.
manded the yeas and nays, as he deemed
j. his duty 10, whercupon the gentleman
from Kentucky, IN what he regarded as
offensive language, had called him an in
solent and ImpertInent something, ''He
followed" +" said Mr.. Heard, his temper
rising, that statement with personal
assault upon me. He called me "a scoun-
drel."
"If said that I will withdraw it,r in.
terrupted Mr.. Breckenridge, with an ear
n. l,n l,,
rs ludicrouS.and they laughed heartily.
II do not think l SAID it," continued
Mr.. Breckinridge.
And believe he did say it," said Mr.
Heard.
III after my disclaimer the gentleman
still insists that 1 said it," again said
Breckinridge, 1laring up, II Withdraw il,
lie does not deserve it,"
Mr.. Heard hastily denied that he in.
tended to question Mr.. Breckinridge's
veraclty, but stated that he meant that in
his excitement tue gentleman from * en-.
tucky had forgotten what he did say. 81
stated" he continued, that the rentle-
man lied. Upon his Withdrawal of his
offensive epithet | will Withdraw mine
but not before. l believe that | have
done nothing which it was not nv dutI
and right to do"
Mr.. Heard was applauded when he tool,
his seat.
This ended the wordy combat. and II
the absence of a motion which might have
been made 10 reprlmand the principals il
the affair, the House proceeded with TN,
question before it, and the excitemen
soon subsided, although there was niue!
speculation throughout the day as /,
what would be the outcome.
The encounter, however, will not event
uate in blood. Through the internedi
alton of friends of both parties, Messrs
Goodnight and Berry OF kentucky act
jhg for breckenridge, and Dockery ant
Hatch for Heard, an amicab bic adiustmen
of the difficulty was arranged, Thes
gentlemen went carefully over the ofIic
ial report of the words uttered. anC
agreed upon form of apology tba
would be satisfactory to their principals
Accordingly, just before > p. NJ, when th
House took a recess, Heard arose ant
read typewriter statement TO the etfec
that careful estimation of the wOrd
uttered made 1t evident in the opinion O
his friends that after Mr.. Breckeuridp Or,
dsclaimed the use of the language con
sidered by him (Heardl as offensive. h
(Heard) should have Withdrawn what h
had said. Heard thought he had done so
but his friends said that he had not. -
consider it my duty TO do so now," saiC
Heard, land now withdraw what l said
Breckenridge then arose and accepted
the olive branch of peace. Il ought no
TO have gone to the desk OF the gentle
man." said he, ''and made the statemen
L did. 1t was particularly unfortunate
considering The past friendship eXistip,