The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-29
coNeREssMEN COME TO BLOWS.
They Sling Ink Stands at Each Other With
Effect

ihey sling INK STANDS at Each other With
WASHINGTON, April 23.-Congress.
man Money, Democrat of Mississippi,
Senator-elect from that State, and
Congressman Hall, Democrat of Mis-.
souri,, had a lively personal encounter
in the Committee on Naval affairs to-
day, and as the result MIR. Money re.
ceived severe cut in the back of his
head from an ink stand thrown by
Mr.. Hall, and the latter just escaped
being struck by another ink staod
thrown at him by Mr.. Money. The
fracas occurred about noon in the
committee room of The Naval Affairs
Committee, of which both gentlemen
are members.
Mr.. Hall is a man of large stature,
standing six feet two and weighing
25O pounds. Mr.. Money is also tall,
but rather slig tand no match for his
opponent physically. Mr.. Money was
hurriedly taken into a. committee
room on the floor below, while Mr..
Hall walked calmly along the corri-
Aor 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 congre-
gated and there was much excitement.
TIE details of the cause of the encoun-
ter were hard to obtain. Mr.. Hall
when seen Immediately after the fight
said he did not desire to make a state.
ment. 1T was a personal matter" {"
said he, and I do not desire to say
anything. do not suppose Mr.. Mo.
ney either will care to make state.
ment."
Mr.. Mooney was taken to the room
of the Committee on Claims, where
his wounds were dressed by a physi-
clan. There were two cuts, one iust
back of the ear, about an inch long,
and the other further down the neck,
both made probably by the points of
the ink we'll. Mr.. Money, like his ad.
versary, said he. did not desire to make
a statement. A close friend of Mr..
Moneys, however, who was an eye
witness of the occurrence, 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 be-
gan discussing bill before the COM
mittee relating to the rank OF naval
surgeons. Mr.. Money took part in
the discussion and, though his voice
was pitched as it usually is in con-
versational tone, he waa in no wise
excited. Mr.. Money made statement
that the surgeons were after both rank
and command. No. he added smil-
ingly, 4 take that back, not COM
mand, but rank
ANY man who says that, said Mr..
Wall angrily, says what is not true"
You are a. liar,' retorted Mr..
Money partly rising from his chair.
Mr.. Money rose to his feet and Mr..
Hall grapped an ink well and hurled
it at him. The blow behind the ear
staggered him. Mr.. Hall did not hit
him with his fist. Mr.. Money, also,
clutched an ink we'll and let it drive
at Mr.. Halls head, but the Missourian
lodged and the missile few harmless
ly and struck the wall opposite. Had
it struck Mr.. Hall. believe it would
have Drained him. The two men then
made for each other. Both of them
made motions as if to draw their weap
ons. Mr.. Wllso, of New York, mem
ber of the Naval Committee, who was
present with the messenger and clerk,
then rushed between the men and pre-.
vented further trouble.
Mr.. Money was conveyed to his
hotel by friends. Mr.. Hall remained
at the Capitol. He expressed regret
for what occurred, but still declined
to make statement.