Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-02
GIVEN THE LIE.
An Exciting Scene in House Of
Representatives.
Heard Of Missouri Calls Breckenridge
of Kentucky a Liar.
The Latter is Only Prevented from Striking
Heard by Friends.

Washington, Feb lin the House, to.
day, in the course of the closing of the
discussion upon a resolution reported by
| Hit from the committee ON foreign affairs
referring to Hawaii, an alteration took
place on the floor of the House between
Breckenridge (Dem.) of kentucky and
| Heard(Dem.) of Missouri, which was at
tended with much ex citement.
Heard moved the previous question on
the resolution while Breckinridge was on
the floor, endeavoring to get recognition
to speak. Heard is chairman of the com.
| mittee on District ofsColumbia affairs. to
which the day had been awarded, and was
anxious to proceed with that business.
A colloquy ensued in which Heard, Hit
and Hopkins of Illinois took part, Heard
declaring he wanted to know whether the
House was to be allowed to proceed T.
business or was some member anxious to
make IA buncombe speech to occupy the
time.
Breckenridge crossed over to where
Heard was sitting, and told him in a
threatening manner that he could do no
district business, today, under that rule,
and denounced his action as impcrtinent,
and according to Hcard's understanding
and that of the gentlemen around him,
called him scoundrel.
Heard, rising in his seat, being separated
from Breckenridge by Cobb of Alabama, a
member of the district committee angryly
retorted that Breckenridge was II liar,
The rosy face of the noted Kentuckian
flushed even n deeper red at this, and,
springing upon the set platform from the
aisle, he vigorously attempted to strike
Heard. but his blows fell short and in
moment he was jerked back into the aisle
by Representatives Pence of Colorado and
Cultivate of Ohio. The former was SO
energetic in his excitement that he nearly
pulled Disadvantages coat from his
shoulders.
Instantly the House was in an uproar
and members and attaches crowded into
the aisle towards the combatants, who
We're directly in the centre of the hall in
front of the Speakers desk.
The Speaker shouted for order and
rdirected the sergeant-at-arms to arrest the
gentlemen. Deputy Sergeant Arms
Hill rushed down the hall with the over
towering mace in his hands and cndeav-
ored to restore quiet. 1t required several
minutes to accomplish this, however, as
Breckenridge was making attempts to
reach Mr.. Heard.
The latter, who had not moved from his
place raised his hands in deprecatoly
manner toward his antagonist, saying:
"You had better go away, Breckenridge "
Finally Deputy Sergeant at Arms Hill
induced Breckenridge to permit himself to
10, al ,t..I
down the aisle, their arms linked. The
assistant deputy brought Mr.. Heard to the
bar. The Speaker directed them to take
seats, which they did. Then amidst pro
found quiet, Breckenridge rose to make
an explanation.
He said that no gentleman
could regret more an alteration of
this kind and said he should not have re
sentcd the epithet of liar here and now,
but, believing in accordance with the de
liverance Of a Missouri judge, that the lie
was the first assault he had violated the
rules. He desired to apologize, he said,
to the House for permitting the traditions
of many years to overcome his judgment.
to the Speaker, who had always treated
him courteously; and to the gentleman
from Missouri that the epithet could not
stand between them. He withdrew the
remark which gave offence. Breckin-
ridges statement was received with
mingled applause and Kisses.
Heard followed, reciting his recollection
of the events that led up to the alteration,
and insisting that his opinion was that
the Kentuckian had called him scoun
drel. This seemed to irritate the latter
afresh, and, rising, with visible emotion
he withdrew his withdrawal of the often
sive remark, saying, 1.-THE gentleman is
not worthy of it,
A renewal of the excitement seemed
imminent or a few minutes, but it passed
off with Heard remarking that he could
not, under the provocat:on he understood
to have been given him, act otherwise
than he did.
Springer prescnteds the report of the
committee on banking and currency upon
the new administration currency bill.
Motions of Cox and Haugen, members Of
the banking and currency committee
were agreed to, permitting each member of
the committee to submit his views on the
bill. and to have the Coz substitute printed
as part of the report.
Heard then read statement regarding
the alteration with Breckenridge earlier
in the day, stating that friends of his and
that gentleman, (the Speaker. Dockery,
McCreary, Goodnight and Caruth), to
whom the matter had been referred, had
examined the stenographer's notes Of his
explanation Of the difficulty, and had
come to the conclusion that they did
not believe he (Hcard) had withdrawn
the language offensive to the gentleman
CONTINUED on I'd page.