Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-05
RATHER INTERESTING
Was the War of Words on the
 Floor of the Senate
BETWEEN PRESIDENT PETTUs
And sena $ Goodwyn Over a Resolpc n Introduced by
 SeS tor Fitzpatrick.

MoNTe,S eRY, Feb. 4.-[special. l-The peace afcS pod will which reigns in the senate transformed into short period of disturbances at the afternoon session to- day. President F. L. Pettus and A. T. Goodwyn had misunderstanding, which came near developing into personal diffi- culty.
 The trouble arose over a resolution in- troduced by Senator Fitzpatrick, which reads as tollows:
 Whereas, The events of the past twelve months have demonstrated the usefulness and importance of national guard and state troops in maintaining the laws and prote cting the enjoyment of the rights of property in the several states of the union and
 Whereas, It is of the highest moment that the efficiency and character of such organization should be fostered aud in- creased to ths greatest extent possible, and the several states are unable and 1t Is im- practicable for them to unite upon any feasible plan; to promote such plan be it
 Resolved by the senate of Alabama, the house concurring, That it recommends an interstate national guard and state troops encampment and drill, to be held under the support, auspices and control of the
  tions as may be determined, at Louisville, Ky, in May, 1895, or at such time as may be determined best; second, that our sem ators and representatives in congress be re- quested to aid in such matters.
 Senator Goodwyn opposed the resoluti on in strong terms. Among other things he said: ''It is an invasion upon the rights of the state and the first step towards using the military for coercing the people.' He referred to the military being present at 1a a rat denunciations led of to the democratic party. He declared that there Were fraud committed in the late election, and said that the democrats are afraid to investigate that election. He said the resolution off, fered by MT. Fitzpatrick had hidden mea ming and covert intention underneath it's surface.
 President Pettus called Senator Hundley to the chair and took the floor in defense of the resolution and the democratic party. In his cool and dignitied manner he said that he had no personal interest in the resolution, but that 1t contained nothing hidden beneath it's surface, and its full 1n- tent was shown upon it's face. As to frauds in the last election he emphat. caily denied the charge, whereupon Senator Goodwin asked him il he would vote for resolution to investigate the election.
 Mir. Pettus replied, II would vote for contest bill of the election. v lss.-s -~-sals
 Then Mir. Goodwyn asked: "Would you vote for a motion to Investigate frauds in specific counties?p
 ..No,' MT. Pettus replied, "because the gentleman would only desire to investigate special frauds. which they charge to the democratic party, and say nothing of the numerous frauds committed by their own party. And as far as 1 am c3ncerned, said MT. Pe.tus, ''I am tired of this re- peated denuuciation of the democratic party and your alleged frauds. If the gentlemen were sincere in their desire to have frauds investigated why did they not take advantage of the law upon the stat ute book of the state authorizing the contestiug of probate judges and other off cers? It is we'll fact thas not single contest of that nature has been in- sttuted, and yet they still harp upon the failure of the present legislature to give them contest law.' At this juncture running debate ensued and became quite heated. MT. Pettus said: "The reason tue gentlemen do not investi- gate the charges Is because they are not trus.' :. the gentleman makes that statement 1t is untrue.' Whereupon they both advanced across the senate chamber and personal difficulty was imminent.
 MT. Hundley, who ruled from the chair with such admirable coolness during this animated discussion, iuterposed at this time and ordered the sergeant at-arms to preserve order. The sergeant att arms, Secretary Clay and other officers of the cham Der arose at the oruer or IDe cnair dnu quelled the difficulty.
 After quiet had been partially restored and an investigation of the disorder began by the chair MT. Seyre stated that he mad been informed that Mir. Goodwyn had pistol and was seen in the act of reaching for it when he and MT. Pettus were ad- vancing toward each other. MT. Goodwin stated that his informer had told an un- truth; that he had not carried pistol since he was a soldier in the Confederate army. Later on MT. Sayre retracted what he had said and stated that he had been msn formed.
 Upon the suggestion of some member. of the senate to postpone the investigation until tomorrow MT. Hundiey said, "No, it must be settled before the adjournment of this meeting.'
 Mir. Pettus stated that if he had offend ded the senate or any gentleman present by his remarks to the gentleman, he wished to retract.
 Senator Goodwyn said that if he had put a wrong construction upon Mr.. Pettus' statement he regretted the misunderstand- ing.
 The matter was amicably disposed of by the body and the senate resumed it's wonted uuietude.