The Indianapolis journal., 1895-02-02
The KentucLian's Fist Planted on the
Head of the Missourian After an
Exchange of Harsh Words.
BOTH AT ONCE ARRESTED
TAKEN TO THE BAR OF THE HOUSE
AND PERMITTED TO EXPLAIN.
Heard Indirectly Challenged, but
Peace Finally Restored and the Min
utes of the Riot Wiped Out.
Special to the indianapolis Journal

WASHINGTON. Feb. l. = "Impertinent
puppy!' "CowardY' "Scoundrel.' .I4iarr'
were some of the choice expressions heard
in the chamber of the National House of
Representatives to-day and that blood did
not flow was not the fault of the men who
used the epithets. Early this afternoon,
while Representative Hit, of Illinois, was
discussing a Hawaiian resolution, Mr..
Breckenridge, the silver-haired silver
tongued persuader of Madeline Pollard suit
notoriety. and Mr. Heard, of Missouri be-
came involved in personal difficulty that
caused greater excitement and tumult than
any like incident in Congress in recent
years. After calling each other names, the
kentucky gentleman made vicious drive
with his right hand at the Missourian's
head. Here other members interfered, the
belligerents were arrested and taken to the
bar of the House where they made explana-
tions. Breckenridge was the more hot-head-
ed of the two, and virtually challenged
Heard demanding personal satisfaction. It
looked as If duel might be the outcome of
the encounter, but later in the day mutual
friends adjusted the trouble, apologies were
exchanged and hands shaken. Both gentle
expressed themselves as satisfied, and
there Will be no resort to the CODE
HOW TT HAPPENED.
can be unraveled the encounter occurred
in this way: Mr.. Heard, who was in
charge of the District of Columbia. business,
cut off MIR. Breckenridge, who was attempt
ing to address the House on the Hawaiian
resolution, by demanding the previous ques-
tion on the adoption of the resolution. Mr..
Breckenridge Immediately moved around
from the side aisle in which he was stand
ing to the tier of seats where Mr.. Heard
was located, and hot words followed. Mr.
Breckenridge protested against what he
called Mr.. Heard's rudeness. The latter
declared he only doing his duty. As
the voices of the gentlemen arose, members
rushed hither and thither
.Impertinent puppy shouted Mr.. Breck-
inridge.
.Liar!' hurled back Mr.. Heard
At the word liar" the white haired
Breckenridge, who is a heavfly-built, stocky
man, put his foot on the step on which
the benches are located and let drive a
right-hand blow at Mr.. Heard. Mr.. Heard
who is a slight and apparently not strong
man, but rather tall, with a brown beard
streaked with gray, lodged. In another in
stant dozen hands were extended to re-
strain the Kentuckian, and the tide of mem
bers swept him twenty feet up the main
aisle, but he continued to struggle and
wrestle with his captors, Messrs. Pence and
Cultivate.
The House and galleries were in an up
roar. Bedlam had broken loose. Over it
all the cracks of the Speakers gavef sound
ed as he attempted to quell the riot. In
firm tones the Speaker directed the Ser
geant-at-arms to arrest the offenders. Col
Robinson. grabbed the silver mace. the en-
blem Of the Houses authority, and rushed
hers fWhRn officers od fIni,-
way to the scene of the combat Mr. Breck-
inridge was still struggling with those who
stood calmly in his place. Misunderstand-
ing Mr.. Pence's attempt to quiet Mr.
Breckinridge ad sfo,,va who was trembling with
his assistant seized both Mr.. Breckenridge
and s Mr. Pence -
Arrest Heard
PLACED UNDER ARREST.
Mr.. Heard was pushed into the arms of
the deputy sergeant-at-arms. AS the two
men came together Mr.. Breckenridge made
a desperate effort to free himself.
You are a coward and a scoundrelv' the
Kentuckian yelled at Mr.. Heard but the
stalwart Robinson roughly pulled Mr.
Breckenridge forward, and two Representa-
tives of the American Congress were hus-
tied, rather than escorted, to the bar of
the House. The Speaker ordered all to
take their seats. Many of the members
Take it back shouted Mr.. Brecsin-
ridge, he glared at Heard, who stood
like himself in custody before the bar
You called me an impertinent puppy"
answered Mr.. Heard.
Meantime the Speaker, in stentorian
tones. was driving the excited and frantic
members back with heavy blows of the
gavel. Mr.. Breckenridge was appealing for
recognition, but the Speaker would not
hear him. After all the members were seat
ed he ordered both Mr.. Heard and MI.
Breckenridge back to their seats and then
recognized the Kentuckian.
With his frame trembling with excite
ment, his silver hair tumbling back from
his forehead, Mr.. Breckinridge arose, at
tempting to contain himself. Mr. Breckir-
mo one" he began, can regret more than
l that any personal difficulty should occur
on this floor but when 1 thought / had
been taken off the floor with great rude
ness went to Mr. Heard and said to him
that he could not do business in that way.
He replied that that was an insolent state
ment and that / was an impertinent
scoundrel.'
.sHe said was a scoundrel." interposed
He called me a liar" went on Mr..
Breckenridge. ignoring the Interruption II
err he continued, turning to the chair.
''but. as a Mississippi Judge once said. the
lie was first assault and, in spite of my
white hairs. could not restrain myself T
apologize to the Speaker and to the House
To the gentleman l will say he added as
Heard, his voice rising to one of defiance
Il Will say that cannot remain between
him and L.
a scattering burst of applause greeted
this Mr.. Breckenridge took his seat. The
House gasped at this last statement and
stat breathlessly waiting for the reply.
HEARDs EXPLANATION.
Mr. Heard arose. He appeared to be calm,
but he was also evidently laboring under
great excitement. Not once in his long
congressional career. he began. had he been
embroiled In a personal controversy on the
floor of the House Dir. Heard then ex-
l Aieinsd ths situation. To-day. he said. hal