The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-02-02
PUCILTSTE STATESMEN.
Disgraceful Scene on the Floor of
". the National House.
BRECKENRIDGE STRIKES HEARD.

the Prompt Interference of Members.
For a Time Duel Was Feared, but Both
Finally Apoiogized and Shook Hands.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "A scene Of the
widest and most intense excitement &C.
Cured in the house at the conclusion OF
the debate on Mr.. Hits Hawaiian reso-
luton yesterday growing ont of a personal
difficulty between Mr. breckenridge, of
Kentucky, and Mr., Heard, of Missouri.
Mr.. Heard, who was in charge of District
of Columbia business, cut off Mr. Breck
inridge, who was attempting to address
the house on tho Hawaiian resolution by
demanding the previous question on the
adoption Of the resolution.
Mr., Breokinridge Immediately moved
around from the side aisle, in which he
was standing to the tier of seats where
Mr.. Heard was located, and hot words fol-
lowed. Mr.. Breckenridge protested against
what he called Mr. Heard's rudencss. The
latter declared he was only doing his duty.
As the voices of the gentlemen rose mem
bers rushed thither
"lmpertinent puppy" shouted Mr..
Breckenridge.
Liar Kissed back Mr. Heard. At the
word the white haired Breckenridge put
his foot on the step on which the benches
are located and let drive right hand blow
at Mr.. Heard.
In another instant dozen hands were
extended to restrain the Kentuckian, and
tho tide Of members swept him twenty
feet up the main aisle. But he continued
to struggle and wrestle with his captors,
Mcssrs. Pence and Cultivate.
Tho house and galleries were in an up
roar. Bcdlam had broken loose. Over it
ed as he attempted to quell the riot on the
floor.
In firm tones the speaker directed the
scrgcantata to arrest the offenders.
Colonel Ike HILL the deputy, and his as
sistant, Mr.. Robinson grabbed the silver
mace, the emblem of the houses author
ity, and rushed up the aisle. When they
had elbowed their way to the scene Of the
contest Mr.. Breckenridge was still strug-
Cling with those who held him. His an
tngonist, Mr.. Heard, stood calmly in his
place Colonel Hill and his assistant
seized both Mr.. Breckenridge and Mr..
Heard.
You are a coward, and scoundrell'
yelled the Kcntucklan at Mr.. Heard, but
the stalwart Robinson roughly pulled Mr..
breckenridge forward, and the two repre-.
sentatives Of the American congress were
iiohiCh w WV JAR Vi bllt housts
Take it back'' shouted Mr.. Breckin-
ridge as he glared at Mr.. Heard.
you called me an impertinent puppy
answered Mr.. Heard. Meantime the
speaker in stcntorlan tones was driving
the excited and frantic members back with
heavy blows Of the gavel. Mr.. Breckin-
ridge was appealing for recognition, but
the speaker would not hear him. After
NIL tho members were seated he ordered
both Mr.. Heard and Mr., Breckenridge
back to their seats aud then recognized
the kentuckian.
Mr.. Breckenridge began his apology in
humble terms mo one, +" he began, 'can
regret more than that any personal diff
Guilty should occur on this floor but when
thought had been taken off the floor
with great rudeness went to Mr.. Heard
and said to him that he could not do bust
ness in that way. He replied that that
was an insolent statement, and that l was
AN impertinent sccundrel.'"
'He said was q scoundrel," interposed
Mr.. Heard
He called me q liar" went on Mr..
Breckenridge, ignoring the interruption.
II ought not to have resented it, Mr..
Speaker" he continued turning to the
chair, "but as Mississippi judge once
said, the lie was the first assault, and in
spite of my white hairs I could not re.
strain myself. ] apologize to the speaker
and to the house. 10 the gentleman will
say" he added, as no turned and looked
squarely at Mr.. Heard, his voice rising to
one of defiance, II will say that that can
not remain between he and !.
A scattering burst of applause greeted
this.
Mr. Heard arose. He appeared to be
calm, but he was also evidently laboring
under great excitemenb Not once in his
long congressional career, ne begun, had
he been embroiled in = personal contro-
versy on the floor of the house. lie had
called for the previous question because he
believed it his duty to do so. Then Mr..
Brcckinridge ctrQe to his chair and spoke
most extensively, and hs responded in
kind. He concluded:
II stated that the gentleman lied. Upon
his withdrawal of his offensive epithet l
will Withdraw mine. hut not before | be-
licve,n he concluded that | have done
nothing which it was not my duty and
right to do"
Mr.. Heard was also applauded.
This ended the wordy combat, and in
the absence of motion which might have
been made to reprimund the principals in
the affair. the house proceeded with the
question beiore it and the excitement soon
subsidized.
For time it was thought that there
would be an affair of honor" between the
two, as both are possessed of physical
courage, but through INTERPRETATION of
friends OF both parties an amicablo adjust
mcnt of the difficulties was arranged
Just before o'clock, when the house took
IL recess, Mr. beard arose aud read Type
written statement to the effect that n care
full examination of the words uttered made
1t evident in the opinion of his friends,
that after Mr.. Breckenridge diaclaimed tho
use of the Language considered by him
Qleard) offensive, he (Heardl should have
withdrawn what he had said. Mr.. Heard
said he thought he had done so, but his
friends said he had not "Iconsider it my
duty to do so now said Mr.. Heard, "and
now withdraw what ] said.
Mr.. Rreckinridga then Immediately
arose and accepted the olive branch of
peace. Il ought mol to have gone TO the
desk of the gcntieJ IN, said he, and
have made the statement | did. 1t was
particularly unfortunate, considering tho
past friendship existing between that gen
tlcman and myself No matter what oe-
CURED, should not have resented it
physically. ] say to the house and to tho
gentleman that exceedingly regret what
has occurred and crave their pardon"
Tho house applanded Mr.. Breckenridge
heartily as he sat down. AT the request of
Mr.. Goodnight the entire colloquy was
stricken from the record. Thereupon Mr..
Heard went over to Mr.. Brcckinridge's
seat, and the late adyersaries shook hands.
Tho Drayton Divorce Case.
4