The morning call., 1895-02-02

strain himself Breckenridge began his
apology in humble tones.
mo one' he said, lean regret more
than I that any personal difficulty should
occur on this floor, but when | thought l
had been taken off the floor with rudeness,
I went to Heard and said to him that he
could not do business in that way. He re-
piled that was an insolent statement and
that l was AN impertinent scoundrel.'
"He called me scoundrel," interposed
Heard.
HE called me a liar" went on Breckin-
ridge, 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 could not restrain
myself. l apologize to the Speaker and to
the House. To the gentleman 1 will say"
he added as he turned and looked squarely
at Heard, his voice rising to one of de-
fiance, II will say that that cannot remain
between him and me-"
A scattering burst of applause greeted
this and Breckenridge took his seat. The
House sat breathless waiting for the reply.
Heard appeared to be calm, but he was
also evidently laboring under great excite
ment. Not once in his long Congressional
career, he began, had he been embroiled
in personal controversy on the floor of
the House. Heard then explained the
situation. To-day, he said, had been set
apart for District of Columbia business,
and he had felt it his duty when the oppos-
ing leaders on the Hawaiian resolution
had finished their statements to demand
the previous question. The gentleman
from Kentucky had then hurried over to
him and stated in tone which he regarded
as an insult that the House would do no
business to-day. He had thereupon de-
manded the ayes and noes, as he deemed
it his duty to do, whereupon the gentle
man from Kentucky in what he regarded
as offensive language had called him an
insolent and impertinent something.
''He followed" said Heard, his tenn
per rising, 'that statement with personal
assault upon me. He called me scoun-
drel."
IF I said that I will withdraw it, In
terrupted Breckenridge with an EARNEST
ness that struck some of the members as
ludicrous, and they laughed heartily.
ri do not think / said it," continued
Breckenridge.
"And 1 believe he did say it," said
Heard
"If after my disclaimer the gentleman
still insists that I said it" again said
Breckenridge flaring up, 81 Withdraw it.
He does not deserve it."
Heard hastily denied that he intended to
question Breckinridge's veracity, but stated.
that in his excitement the gentleman
from Kentucky had forgotten what he
did say 81 stated he continued, "that
the gentleman lied. Upon his withdrawal
of his offensive epithet / will withdraw
mine, but not before. l believe that 1 have
done nothing which it was not my duty
and right to do"
Mr. Heard was applauded when he took
his seat. This ended the wordy combat,
and in the absence of a motion which
might have been to reprimand the princi-
pals in the affair the House proceeded with
the question before it, and the excitement
soon subsidized, although there was much
speculation throughout the day as to what
would be the outcome.
The encounter, however, will not even
tuate in blood Through the intermedia-
ton of friends of both parties, Messrs.
Goodnight and Berry, of Kentucky, acting
for Mr.. Breckenridge, and Messrs. Dockery
and Hatch for Mr.. Heard, an amicable adj
justment of the difficulty was arranged.
These gentlemen went carefully over the
official report of the words uttered and
agreed upon form of apology that would
be satisfactory to their principals.
Accordingly, just before P. NJ, when the
House took recess, Heard arose and read
a type written statement to the effect that
a careful estimation of the words uttered
made it evident in the opinion of his
| friends that after Breckenridge disclaimed
| the use of the language considered by him
| (Heard) offensive, he (Heard) should have
| withdrawn what he had said. Heard said
| he thought he had done so, but his friends
| said he had not.
"I consider it my duty to do SO now"
said Heard, "and now withdraw what
| said"
Breckenridge then arose and accepted
the olive branch of peace. 81 ought not to
have gone to the desk of the gentleman, u
said he, "and have made the statement
did 1t was particularly unfortunate, con.
.idering the past friendship existing be.
tween that gentleman and myself. ex-
press my regrets in this frank manner to
him, and to the House profoundly apollo.
gize for scene that should not have hap.
pened. No matter what occurred I should
not have resented it physically. say to
the House and to the gentleman from Mis-
souri, that 1 exceedingly regret what has
occurred and crave their pardon"
The House applauded Breckenridge
heartily as he sat down. At the request OF
Goodnight the entire colloquy was stricken
| from the record. Thereupon Heard went
over to Breckenridge, and the late adver-
saries shook hands. The white-winged
dove of peace spread her wings and the in
cident was officially closed.