St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-06
LIVELY IN THE SENATE
Between Mitchell and Harris
District of Columbia Bill.

LIVELY IN THE SENATE
Between Mitchell and Harris
District of Columbia Bill.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-The senate
session opened today with a very breezy
personal alteration between Mr..
Mitchell Orr and MI. harris Crenn.)
The words "ungentlemanly" and
'.contemptible" were exchanged. and
for a time it looked as
though the senate chamber
might witness repetition of the bel
ligerent scene in the house last week.
But the conflict assumed somewhat
serio-comic aspect, and the senate soon
relapSed into an uneVentful conSldera-
ton of routine business. The District
of Columbia appropriation bill was
passed after having been before the
senate more than Week.and discussion
of tue diplomatic and consular bill was
begun.
Mitchell and Harris occurred i'll the
senate as soon as the session opened.
Mr.. Mitchell (Rep., Or rose to make
report OH certain sugar bounty claims,
on which, he said, he desired to make
brief explanation.
There will have to be an explana-
ton when the subject comes up" inter-
posed MIR, Harris Dem, Tenn.h $50
that it will be waste of time 10 have an,
explanation now. | therefore object"
Mr.. Mitchell urged that the explana-
ton would not take three minutes, blu
Mr.. Harris shook his head.
Then" said Mr. Mitchell, with great
Impotence, II Will not make the re-
7 ,,it bryr If X
traordinary that senators cannot SUBJ
nit brief explanation if they so desire.
1t is remarkable"
Nh Mitchell's words were snapped
out vehemently.
ut is needless for the senator to pro-
test" said Mr.. Harris. II object; and
emphasize it; l object"
Then | withdraw the report" de-
clared Mr.. Mitchell.
"WithdraW it then" exclaimed Mr..
Harris, defiantly.
Mr.. Mitchell showed intense irritation
at the defiance. and, raising his voice,
he said to Mr.. Harris:
1.-The action Of the senator is unusual
most unusual"
81 want the senator to understand"
retorted Mr. Harris, measuring each
word, that | am capable Of doing I'M
usual things and am responsible for do
ing unusual things"
Yes" answered MIR. Mitchell, his
flushed face showing intense indigna-
ton. II appreciate that the senator is
capable of doing unusual things" and
then Mr.. Mitchell added, And he is
capable of doing ungentlemanly
things"
Mr.. Harris stepped forward from his
desk, and for moment it seemed that
he was about to resent the statement in
an unusual and emphatic way. He
paused, however, and then with gest-
ure towards Mr.. Mitchell, and address
ing him directly:
LET me tell you. sir, that your con-
duct is
sContemptible-Co
The presiding officer had been rap.
ping vigorously as the controversy pro-
| ceeded.
The senators must proceed in or
DER" he repeated. The colleagues of
the two angry senators gathered about
them, and their indignant eXpostula-
| tons continued in Subdued tones. The
| presiding officer directed the clerk to
| proceed with OtheI business and the IN
| cideEt was Summarily closed. Mir.
| Mitchell moved about the rear OF the
| chamber, reiterating his protests, while
Mr.. Harris sat at his desk apparently
unmoyed by the sharp exchange of per-
| SonalitieS.
Afthr considering minor routine SUBJ
| jects the senate again took up the Dis
trct of Columbia approximation bill.
Mr.. McLaurin offered an amendment
10 the bond amendment to the bill pro-
viding for the coinage of the silver seig1r
| niorage in the treasury, amounting
to 1000, 600, which should be used
| in paying the expenses of the
| improvements contem plated by the
| amendments. Mr.. Harris appealed to
| Mr.. McLaurin to withdraw tue amend
ment because it was general and in no
wise pertinent to the pending bill. He
said he was as strong friend OF silver
| as Mr.. McLaurin could be, but WOULD
| be compelled 10 vote against the ameud7
| ment.
Mr.. McLaurin did not accede to the
request and Mr.. Hale (Rep., II. F. made
| a point of order against it. Z
| MIR. McLaurin in discussing the ques-'
ton said be considered it IN order and
| he could not consent to withdraw tue
| amendment because of his objection
| to bond issue Of any kind by the
| government when it could be avoided
| He contended that it was not good bust
ness sense to issue $4,000 worth of
bonds and poy upon them 81, Isl, coo in
interest. as contemplated in a pending
amendment, when there was money
in the treasury with which to
Mr.. Mills'(Dem., Tex.) made the poiut
| of order that the original amendment
was also out of order on the ground that
it was provision for general legisla-
ton. A long debate followed as to the
priority of the points or order made by
| MeSSrS Hale and Mills
The vice president said he would sub
nit the two poin S of order to the SEN
| ate. He directed that the first
vote be on Mr.. Mills point of order
against the Proctor bond amendment.
There was viva voce vote in
which the point of order was sustained
by large majority. Mr.. DUBOIS rep.
| Idaho called for the yeas ana nays, but