The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-07
Congressman Talbot of South
Carolina Startles the House
With a Declaration That He Be.
lieveS in Secession
JUST AS STRONGLY
As He Did at the Outbreak of
the War.
His Words Taken Down Amid
Intense Excitement.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.-During the sill
yer debate in the house today Mr.. Talbot
(Dem., :. c. rose to a question of per-
sonal privilege to correct what he said
was an unintentional misrepresentation
of himself in the public prints. This
led to most stirring incident
He said that Mr. Pearson had made an
unwarranted attack on the loyalty of his
state, which he declared was as loyal as
any state in the union.
Mr.. Pearson had said that North Car
olina had followed South Carolina out of
the union and had got whipped along
with the Palmetto state.
"ln jOcuIar way, MIR. Speaker" con-
tinued Mr. Talbot, 81 declared that we
were not whipped, but had worn our
selves out trying TO whip the other fel-
lows. In the heat of the moment" ne
continued, land Impulsively l said that
South Carolina was not ashamed of the
part that she took in IL: that she was
proud of it, and that l for one
endorsed secession then. l thought we
were right; think so yet and that under
the same circumstances, surrounded by
the same conditions, the TWO would do the
same thing again Now, Mr. speaker,
l repeat it,
Mr.. Barrett, (Rep, Mass. jumped up
at these words aud asked tnaG the words
be taken down.
Several mem oers appealed to him not
to do SO, and the speaker asked Mir.
Barrett il he insisted upon his demand.
Mr. Barrett seemed to hesitate whe0
Mr. abbot again got on his feet and de-
clared in loud Voice that. lie was Will
ing to have his words taken down.
Il will stand by them" said ne.
These words seemed to ciinch Mr..
Barretrs resolve and MIR. Barrett
replied to the speaker with feeling:
Yes, l insist. l want to see If d MEM
Der can violate his Oatn in thIs fashion"
"The chair understood that the gen
tleman from South Carolina was ouly re-
peating what he had sad on a former
occasion" said Speaker Reed.
Mr.. Barrett replied that In that case he
had point OF order to su blnlt. 2tr.
Crisp, the Democratic leader, however,
at thls point crowded into the arena and
moved that Mr.. Talbot be per-
then read at the clerks desk and
MIR, Barrett then formally made the
point of order that Wnen a statement
made by member had been called Ia
question and he deliberately reiterated
II. it constituted new statement and Il
new Utfense.
Bv this time the excitement on the
floor was intense.
The speaker finally cut the matter
short by SAYING that if the house WAS nO5
satisfied with Mr.. TaIboFs explanation,
the resolution might be offered.
81 take it for granted" said Mr. Ding
lev, rising, "5hat the house does nos in
tend to vote on resolution of censure
without according the gentleman from
South Carolina AN opportunity to ex-
plain"
These generous words won the ap-
plause of the Democratic side.
Sir. Talbot awaited himself of the op-
portuaity and explained that he had aris-
en- TO correct misrepresentation. lie
had no idea that the press in
tended to misrepresent him inten
tionally. South Carolina, he proceeded,
was as loyal and true to the union as
| anv state IN the union. The circum-
| stances under which she sec ded could
| not exist again and he was glad of it,
! Democratic applause)