The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-01
BRECK GONE MAD.
Rendered Desperate by the Pub
lies Treatment of Him.
Congressman Breckenridge in a
Fit OF Fury,
ATTACKS MIR. HEARD.
They Come to Blows on the Floor
of the House,
ATTACKS MIR. HEARD.
And Are Arrested by the Ser
geant-at-ArmS.

WASHINGTON, fE6D. L-1ner0 was d
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 aisle in the middle
of the hall. Representative Heard, who
is chairman of the committee on the
District of Columbia, became angered
because the Hawaiian question was be-
ing brought forward in the time devoted
to his committee, and attempted to secure
the floor.
The beginning of the controversy was
not plain, but suddenly both members
sprang toward each other, Mr.. Breekin-
ridge shouting: You cur, scoundrel and
liar" striking at the member from Mis-
souri, a fierce blow which missed him.
Instantly they were seized by other
members, but struggled fiercely to get
at each other, shouting: "Liar"
Mr. Pence of Colorado had Mr.. Breck-
inridge by the throat and McCreary of
Kentucky climbed over several seats and
held him by the shoulders. For three
or four minutes there. was wild scram.
bling, resem bling a football rush, while
all the members in the house poured in
to the aisle and the greatest confusion
reigned
The pounding of the speakers gavel
could not be heard, but Mr.. Crisp's voice
rang above the tumult, shouting: 'The
| sergeant arms will arrest the mem
! bers," and then, ''the sergeant-at-arms
will bring them before the bar of the
4 house"
/ Deputy Sergeant at Arms Isaac Hill
! rushed down the aisle bearing the great
mace, followed by his assistants.
( The two mann borS wora them hrourht
up before the speakers desk, two men
on each side holding their arms and
Representative Dockery of Missouri
standing behind them.
Mr. Breckinridge was exceedingly red
in the face, while Mr. Heard, who is a
slender man, was ashen pale and
trem bled like leaf
In the course of an explanation to the
house, MIR. Breckinridge practically chal-
/ lenged Mr.. Heard and demanded per-
sonal satisfaction. Both Heard and
Breckinridge were forced to apologize
to the house. Expulsion proceedings are
| unlikely.
How 1t Happened.
AS we'll as the tangle of confused
events can be unraveled the details OF
the encounter were as follows:
MIR. Heard, who was in charge of the
District of Colum bia business cut off Mr..
Breckinridge e, who attempted to address
the house on the Hawaiian resolution by
demanding the previous question. Mr.
Breckenridge Immediately moved around
from the side aisle to the tier of seats
where Mr.. Heard was located, and hot
words followed. Mr. Breckenridge pro-
tested against what he called Sir. Heard'S
rudeness.
The latter declared he was only doing
his duty. AS the voices of the gentle
men rose, members rushed thither.
"Impertinent puppyT' shouted Mr.
Breckinridge.
"Liar." Kissed back Mr.. Heard.
AT the word the white haired Breckin-
ridge, who is a heavily built stocky man
put his foot on the step on which the
benches are located and let drive a right
hand blow at Mr.. Heard.
Mr.. Heard, who is slight and appar
emily not strong, but rather tall man will
brown beard streaked with gray, dodg
ed In an instant dozen hands were
extended to restrain the Kentuckyian
and the tide of members swept hin
twenty feet up the main aisle But h'
continued to struggle and wrestled will
his captors. Messrs. Pence and Outh
waite.
House in an Uproar.
The house and galleries were in al
uproar. Bedlam had broken loose. Owe
it all the cracks of the speakers gave
soupded as he attempted to quell tn
riot on the floor. In firm tone tn
speaker directed the sergeat at arms t
arrest the offenders.
Col Ike Hill, the deputy and his as
sistant. Mr.. Robinson grabbed the silve
mace, the emblem of the hous
authority and rushed up the aisle
, 1t was then crowded with
' seething mass of members. When the
4 had elbowed their way to the scene c
: combat, Mr.. Breckenridge was sti
: struggling with those VINO held him.
His antagonist, Mr.. Heard, stood calm
ly in his place. Misunderstanding NJ
Fences attempt to quiet Mr.. Breckir
:, ridge, who was trembling like an aspe
: with over-wrought excitement, Col Hi
and his assistants arrested both M
Breckinridge and Mr.. Pence.
! "Not MI. Pence" shouted a doze
9 members, ARREST Mr. Heard"
Mr.. Heard was pushed into the arm
of the deputy. As the two men came Il
gether Mr.. Breckenridge made despe
n ate effort to free himself
+. You're coward and scoundrel," b
: yelled at Mr. Heard, but the stalwa
+ Robinson roughly pulled Mr.. Breckil
# ridge forward and the two represent
/ tives of the American people were hu
# tied rather than escorted to the bar
the house.
Speaker Restores Order.
The speaker ordered all TO take the
y seats. Many of the members did so r
luctantly.
take it back shouted Mr. Brecki
$ ride, as he glared at Mr.. Heard, wi
4 stood like himself in custody before Il
| bar