The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-12

recent years knew that there was not much
likelihood Of the duello code being resorted
to- The fashion has changed in Washing
t7n ana now man can call another a liar
or anything else vulgarly emphatic. without
being perforated with pistol bullets, or
slashed with a bowie knife.
There have been any number Of red-hot
rows in Congress during the past few years
but mighty little gore has been spilled. In
fact Il seems that since the danger Of the
duel has passed, statesmen have been more
inclined to lose control Of their tongues
and say things which, in the old days.
would have meant their instant death un-
less they could shoot quicker than the other
man An Oidtime fre-eater like Cassius NJ.
Clay, eff Lexington, must have groaned when
he read Of the inslDid outcome Of what
promised 70 be q battle royal That great
old Democrat, Andrew Jackson, fought duels
for smaller reasons, but in his day the fash
ion was different In Germany, France.
Austria, Italy Spain. Russia, Belgium and.
in fact, in nearly all the Continental coun-
tries the recent row here would have re-
suited in a duel, OF the injured party would
run The risk Of social ostracism-
HALL AS A sCRAPPER.
Congressman Hall. whose accurate aim
made q big dent over the left eye of the
Mississippi statesman, has figured in several
rows at the Capitol and he has usually
emerged from them with flying cOlors.
Hail lis great big man with the strength Of
a giant. and some people have been unkind
physical strength. But those who know him
best say this is not so. Tt is a well known
fact that a gun shoots just as hard for
little man as 1t does for a big man, and Hail
has run the ganLlet Of being bored more
than once.
Hall ran afoul Of Congressman Dockery In
the early part of the present Admins ratiOn
and the row came with an ace of being set
tied on the dueling field. DOckery. like
Hail halls from Missouri and is mo cow
ard, although he is not as hot-headed as his
brother Congressman. He never looks for
trouble. but when it comes his way he
doesn't dodge it.
1T seems that Hall and Doekery were
both doing some tall hustling for places
for their constituents. and Han had the
best of it, Hall went to see Secretary Car
Isle about getting his man appointed
collector Of revenue at Kansas City, and
Carlisle said that Dockery had charged
that Hail had secured more patronage
than Gil the rest Of the Missouri members
put together.
This made Hall hot and without further
words. exclaimed; eff Dockery said thar
he is an Infamous liar"
Hall knew that it would mean trouble
when his words reached the ears Of Dock
cry, so he hunted up Senator Blackburn,
OF Kentucky who is well versed In all
affairs Of honor. Hail described to him
what had Lnanspired and Blackburn said
shat as gentleman he was compelled to
hunt up DOCllery and repeat to him what he
had said to Carlisle
ms was almost TOO mlcu TOT E1A-A 10
stomach, but he decided to do 1t. A man
who knows what he Is talking about de-
acribes what followed IN this way,
Hal went over TO the House Of Repre-
Bentatives, and, going down to where Dock
cry sat, asked him to come out in the cor
Tidor. Hall expected there would be
1racas and didn't care to make the house
Gts theater.
''Dockery was acute enough to smell
trouble. He would not 90 to the corridor
lie was too busy ne said. and could not
leave the debate then going on
FINALLY Han got him to 50 to the open
space back Of the House seats, Dockery de-
clining a suggestion to retire TO the cloak
room. Hall then told him his conversation
with Carlisle. and wound up by saying,
Z told Carlisle that you were an in
Famous liar.
q aI1ose are pretty hard words said
1ocEary. turning white
% Yes. sir, those are pretty hard words
admitted Hail. but I said them, and having
aaid them to Carlisle felt that ought TO
come and repeat them TO you
''Dockery bit his bps said nothing Tur-
Fhar and returned to his seat The next
Gas. q oampa1H- With Tarsnsg. e s4iss9llEls