The record-union., 1896-02-08


words uttered by a member were treas.
enable and seditious, and in violation
of the oath, precipitated the most inter-
esting and turbulent scene witnessed
in the hall since the early days of the
( Fifty-frst Congress. Talbert, the inn
, rpulsive Representative from South
+ Carolina, arising to a question of per-
Asonal privilege, referred to the misinter-
lpletation, if not misrepresentation, in
f1he press of what he said Wednesday
might in response t. the criticism by
the gentleman from North Carolina
(Pierson) upon the action of South
Carolina at the outbreak of the war.
He reiterated what he then said. to the
effect that he believed secession to be
right, and under the same conditions
would do as he had done. He was
called to order by Barrett CRep) of
Massachusetts, VINO asked that his
words be taken down. He offered a res
Olution denouncing the words as sedi-
tious and treasonable and in violation
of the oath taken by Talbert at the be-
ginning of this Congress.
Much excitement prevailed until the
matter was finally disposed of, the dis
order at times being SO great as to pre-
clude the transaction of business.
Many Republicans did not approve of
Barrett's course, not deeming the mat
ter of sufficient Importance to warrant
his action, but others warmly sup
ported him, and one member declared
that Talbert ought to be expelled.
Talbert was permitted, after a time,
Il explain. He said he had no idea that
the conditions of 1861 could ever recur,
and he was glad of it. He had no idea
of engaging in a violation of the Thir
aeenth Amendment.
Barrett gave Talbert the opportunity,
and asked him TO specifically disclaim
any secession sentiment and apologize
to the House in event of compliance
Barrett to withdraw the resolution.
But Talbert declined to say anything
further
DalzelI (Rep) of Pennsylvania moved
to refer the whole subject to the Com
mittee on Judiciary and this was
agreed to-yeas 100, nays II. With
this disposition of the matter the ex-
citing episode ended.
The third session OF the parliamen-
tary day of Thursday began this morn
ing at 1890 O'Clock with Speaker Reed
in the chair and about a score of Rep
resentatives on the floor to continue
: the discussion of the silver bond bill.
AS soon as the House assembled, Tai
bert Dem.) of South Carolina, rising to
a question of privilege. said he had been
no doubt unintentionaIly misrepresent-
ed by the press of the country in regard
to the statements made at Wednesday
nights session He reviewed the col
1cquy between himself and Pierson
(Rep) of North Carolina, and repeated
his declaration that he believed seces-
sion to have been right, and under the
same conditions he would do the same
dhing again.
Barrett Rep) of Massachusetts
called Talbert to order, and demanded
that his words be taken down.
Talbert responded in a defiant man
ner that he was perfectly willing that
his words should be taken down, and
that he proposed to stand by them.
What he had meant to say and did say
he said. was that no State was more
loyal than South Carolina. That the
conditions which existed when South
Carolina seeded would not and could
not exist again, and he was glad of it.
He had no idea or intention Of vioIat-
ing the Thirteenth Amendment. That
question was settled by the arbitrament
of arms, and settled forever. He stood
here to say that he was willing to ex-
tend the right hand of fellowship to
those who wore the blue, and to say that
the war of thirty years ago was over
forever. He objected, he said to be
held up as a boor and ignorant person,
advocating secession at this period of
the country's history. AS to the at
titude of Southern men at the time of
the war he desired to say that they
believed they were right, and had no
apology to make for the part they took
in the war. Democratic applause)
That was all he had to say
A resolution Of eensure by Barrett
CRep0 of Massachusetts was then read.
Tt recited the words taken down, de-
clared them to be seditious and trea-
sonable and in violation of the gentle
mans oath, and that they be stricken
from the record.
BY this time the House was in a great
uproar. and the proceedings were con-
Quoted amongst great excitement and
1t was difficult to hear what was going
on.
DaIzen Rep) of Pennsylvania en-
deavored to secure a reference of the
whole matter to the Committee on Ju-
dietary, and Cannon CRep) of Illinois
moved to have it laid on the table, but
neither was then in order. The latter
motion drew from a Republican member
the suggestion that the motion from the
gentleman from Illinois lie on the ta-
BILE.
Cannon-AlI right. I'll make the mo-
ton when I get a chance.
During the colloquy Barrett asked
TaIbert whether or not he was willing
to rise in his place and definitely and
distinctly reject any implied suggestion
in his remarks that would at any time
or under any conditions enter upon or
favor a movement of secession against
the United States. Derisive laughter
and cries of "OhI OH on the Demo-
cratic side) IF he would not, Barrett
continued. he would state to the gen.
4lemen on the other side who were made
the spokesmen of the gentleman from
south Carolina that this resolution
would be voted upon (Applause)
Another question by Barrett to Tai
bert. whether or not he would rise
retract his statements and apologize
10 the House, met the response from that
gentleman: Il have made my explana-