Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-24

One Called the Other Lair, and
the Battle Began - Money Re-
ceived Two Ugly Cuts on the Back
of His Head, While Hall, Thanks
to His Ability as a Dodger, Es-
capped.
Washington, April 23-Congressman
Money Dem, Miss) Senator-elect
from that State. and Congressman Hall
Mem, Mo- had personal encounter in
the Committee on Naval Affairs to-day
Mr. Money and Mr. Hall are both
members of the Naval Committee. The
committee was not in session at the
time of the fracus. Tom Coakley, the
messenger Of the committee, who was
standing at the door, heard the two
members talking rather loudly. They
were evidently both much aroused.
Suddenly Mr. Coakley heard Mr..
Hall say: 'I'l allow no man to call me
liar" With the words he reached
over and planted his fist in Mr.. Moneys 8
face. Mr.. Hall is man OF large STAT
ure. standing six feet two and weighing
250 pounds. Mr.. Money is also tall, but
rather slender in build, and no match
for his opponent physically. The blow
staggered the Mississippian.
Before Money could recover himself
Hall grabbed a large glass ink-well
from the table and hurled it at Mr..
Money. The latter, already dazed,
could not doge the missile, and it struck
cash. Mr. Money fell back against the
wall. At this time Coakley, who had
been making his way toward the irate
congressman, crowded between them
and prevented further onslaught. Mr..
Hall was with difficulty prevented from
continuing the onslaught. Mr. Money
stood against the wall faint from the
loss of blood. which was streaming
down his neck from the wound in his
head. He was hurriedly taken to a
committee room on the floor below,
while Mr.. Hall walked calmly along the
corridor to the hall of the House. The
blood from Mr.. Moneys wound dropped
on the tessalated marble floor as he was
half-carried down the steps. a great
crowd Immediately congregated and
there was much excitement.
The details of the cause OF the en-
counter were hard to obtain. Mr.. Hall
when seen Immediately after the fight
said he did not desire to make a state
ment. 1T was personal matter"
said he, "and | do not desire to say
anything. l do not suppose Mr.. Mon
ey either will care to make state
ment. Mr.. Wilson, member of the
subcommittee, was present"
Mr.. Money was taken to the room Of
the committee on claims where his
wounds were dressed by physicians,
who happened to be in the building.
There were two cuts, one just back of
the ear. about an inch long and the 9th
er further down the neck. both made
probably by the points of the ink well.
Mr.. Money, like his adversary, said he
did not desire to make statement.
A close friend of Mr.. Moneys. howev-
er, who was an eye witness of the oc-
currence, gave the following version Of
the difficulty:
Mr. Money was in the ROOM" said
this gentleman, looking over his mail,
when Mr.. Hall entered and began dis
cussing a bill before the committee re-
lating to the rank of naval surgeons.
Mr. Money took part in the discussion
and though his voice was pitched as it
usually is in controversial tone, he was
in no wise excited Mr. Money made
a statement that the surgeons were af-
ter both rank and command. No he
added, smilingly, Il take that back, not
command, but rank
ANY man who says that said Mr..
Hall angrily, says what is not true
You're a id liar retorted Mr..
Money, partly rising from his chair.
Mr.. Money rose to his feet and Mr..
Hall grabbed an ink well and hurled it
at him. The blow behind the ear stag
gered him. Mr.. Hall did not hit him
with his fist Mr. Money though stag
gered, also clutched an ink well and let
it drive at Mr.. Halls head, but the
Missourian lodged and the missile flew
harmlessly by and struck the wall op-
posite. Had it struck Mr. Hall, be-
lieve it would have Drained him. The
two men then made for each other.
Both of them made motions as if to
draw their weapons. Mr.. Wilson, of
New York, member Of the Naval Com
mite, who was present with the mes
senger and clerk. then rushed between
the men and prevented further trou-
BILE
There were present in the committee
room in addition to the two combat
ants, Commodore Fithian and Repre-
sentatives Meyer, of Louisiana. and
Wilson. of New York. members of the
committee. The alteration was over Mr..
Wilson's bill for the reorganization of
the personnel of the navy. An anony-
nous circular against the bill figured
in the controversy. Mr.. Wilson says
that he was reading his mail and the
conversation was participated in in
spasmodic fashion by all about the
table. He says according to his reccol-
lection that the row followed a state
ment of Mr.. Halls to the effect that
whoever made such statements as were
made in the circular made statements