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

the next few days and subsequently sue
ceeded in patching up some kind of peace
between them. I never learned if Hall went
to Carlisle and withdrew his charge, As he
should have done. Hall and Dockery are
supposedly friendly. but it wouldn't take
a cyclone to make them fly at each other
at any time. When that row passed with
out bloodshed I decided that the duelling
days Of Congress have passed.
WENT FOR HATCH. TOO.
Hall also had trouble with Hatch, of
Missouri some years ago Hall was a mem
Der Of the Banking and Currency Committee
of that session, and in q speech in the House
Hatch charged that there was not mem
Der of that committee who was not the
slave Of. and legislated at the dictation Of
the national banks.
This made Hall fairly explode with rage
He was on his feet in instant and
shouted at the top Of his voice.
80 far as I am concerned. i denounCe
that statement as absolutely false"
The gentleman would not say that out
side Of the House. responded Hatch.
we shall see about that, 30 said Hall.
Hatch had the reputation Of being some
thing Of a fre-eater. and ii was well known
that Hall Was a big chunk Of animated
dynamite. So it was expected that there
would be trouble and lots Of it, But the
people who cherished these expectations
We're disappointed.
After the House had adjourned Hall went
to the committee room Of HAtch's COM
mittee, on Agriculture He raped at the
door, and Hatch. who was inside with his
clerk, called, Come in" Hail opened the
door and stood there.
81 don't care to come in" he said con
the floor of the House to-day I denounced
your statement that every member of the
Banking and Currency Committee was con
troued by the national banks as false so
far I'D applied to me. You said that
would not repeat the declaration outside of
the House. I am here now to repeat 1t. sir
Your statement. so far as it applies to me
is an absolute lie"
Hatch. who knew he was in the wrong,
and whose reputation precludes any theory
of cOwardice did not hesitate to apologize
to Han. who then withdrew all statements
concerning Hatch's veracity- In fact, the
two sat down and had a very amiable time
indeed, and the first thing they did the
next day was to ask the Speaker to ex-
punge the cOloquy from the House rec
ords.
A BRECKENRIDGE SQUABBLE.
AT the time Of the Pollard Breckenridge
scandal there were several narrow escapes
from duels. It was an embarrassing bust
ness for all hands. and it was supposed
were on the lookout to make g horrible
example Of any one who should ahront
the colonel OF his connections.
John T. Heard, then Congressman from
Missouri was one OF the first to run against
the Keep off the grass" sign. Heard and
Mrs. Heard were dining at the Riggs House
when Colonel and Mrs. Breckenridge en-
tered the dining room. The laundering
same table with the Heards and the Mis-
souri, Congressman promptly signalad to
his wife, and they left the room without
completing their dinner The why and
wherefore Of their departure was patent
to every one
No one expected immediate trouble, but
they knew that az the first opportunity
Breckenridge would resent I'd. short time
after. in a House debate, Heard objected
to Breckinridge's possession of the floor
and the objection was sustained Breckin-
ridge rushed over to Heard's desk and tried
to pummel him. Heard stood quietly while
Breckenridge struggled in the grasp of
a number Of peacemakers- The only in
jury done was suffered by Lafe Pence, who
got a thump on the nose from the hst Of
Breckenridge. LATE was one Of the most
Jealous OF peacemakers. and suffered ac-
cordingly. Heard and Breckenridge apollo
gized to the House. and that was the end
OF it.
The enthusiasts OF course. thought it
would mean q duel and Heard's wei known
coolness and equanimity made the gozsipers
pick him for the winner. One of these said
nf Heard st the time; ''EEs Is very cool and