The morning call., 1895-02-06
COLD WHITE PASSION.
Gusts Of Wrath Freeze the
Senator'S.
MR.. HARRIS is UNUSUAL,
But ResentS the ImputatiOn Of
UngentlemanlineSS.
TOO DIGNTFIED 10 CONE TO BLOWS.
Yet the Tennessee Scion Really Started
Toward the Desk Of Mr.. Mitchell
Of Oregon.

WASHINGTON, Feb. "a sensational
episode occurred in the Senate as soon as
the session opened to-day. Mitchell of
Oregon wished to make report on certain
sugar-bounty claims on which, he said, he
desired to make brief explanation.
"There will have to be an explanation
when the subject comes up" interposed
Harris of Tennessee, $50 it will be waste
of time to have the explanation now. !
therefore object"
Mitchell urged that an explanation
would not take three minutes, but Harris
shook his head.
''Then," said Mitchell, with growing i'm
patience, 81 will not make the report;
will Withdraw it. 1t is most extraordinary
that Senators cannot submit brief ex-
PLANTATION if they so desire. 1t is remark
able" MitchelPs words were snapped out
vehemently.
at is needless for the Senator to pro-
test, said Harris, 81 object and empha-
size it, 1 OBJECT"
'Then I Withdraw the report, declared
Mitchell
Withdraw it, Their" exclaimed Harris
defiantly.
Mitchell showed intense irritation at the
defiance and, raising his voice, he said to
Harris: "The action of the Senator is I'M
usual, most unusual"
81 want this fellow to understand" re-
torted Harris, measuring each word, "that
I am capable of doing unusual things,
and I am responsible for doing unusual
things"
eyes" answered Mitchell, his flushed
face showing intense indignation, 81 ap-
preciate that the Senator is capable of doing
unusual things" and then he added: And
he is capable of doing ungentlemanly
things"
Harris stepped forward from his desk
and for a moment it seemed as if he was
about to resent the statement in an un-
usual and emphatic way. He paused,
however, and with a gesture toward Mitch
ell ana addressing him directly, said: "Let
me tell you, sir, your conduct is contempt
ible-contemptible."
The presiding officer had been rapping
vigorously as the controversy proceeded.
1.-The Senators must proceed in ORDER" he
repeated.
The colleagues of the two angry Senators
gathered about them, and their indignant
The presiding officer directed the clerk TO
proceed with the other business, and the
incident was summarily closed. Mitchell
moved about the chamber, reiterating his
protests, while Harris sat at his desk, ap-
parently unmoved by the sharp exchange
Of personalities.
After considering minor routine subjects
the Senate again took up the District of
Columbia appropriation bill. McLaurin
offered an amendment to the bond amend
ment to the bill providing for the coinage
of the silver seigniorage in the treasury,
amounting to $55, 900, 900, which should be
used in paying the expenses of the i'm
provements contemplated by the amend
ments.
Harris appealed to McLaurin to with
draw the amendment, because it was gen.
eral legislation and in no wise pertinent to
the pending bill. He said he was as strong
a friend of silver as McLaurin could be,
but would be compelled to vote against the
amendment.
McLaurin did not accede to the request,
and Hale of Maine made point of order
against it.
McLaurin, in discussing the question,
said he considered it in order, and he could
not consent to withdraw the 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 business sense to issue $57, OO0, 900
worth of bonds and pay upon them SILL
10000 in interest as contemplated in a
pending amendment, when there was
money in the treasury with which to meet
the expenditures.
Mills of Texas made the point of order
that the original amendment was also out
of order on the ground that it was pro-
vision for general legislation. A long
debate followed as to the priority of the
points of order made by Hale and Mills.
The Vice-President said he would submit
the two points of order to the Senate. He
directed that the first vote be on Mills
point of order against the Proctor bond
amendment. There was a viva voce vote
on which the point of order was sustained
by large majority. Dubois of Idaho called
for the ayes and noes, but was induced to
Withdraw the demand. The McLaurin
silver amendment followed the course OF
the main amendment. Thus both amend
ments were summarily disposed of.
The District of Columbia appropriation
bill was passed, and the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill was made the
next order of business. The Senate then
held brief executive session, after which
at 40 P. NJ. it adjourned.