Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-01-15
IN CONGRESS.
Heated Colloquy Between Two
Members Of the House.
IT IS THE FEATURE OF THE SESSION.
Senator Allen Propounds Some Interest,"
Ing Questions to Senator yilas-No
Business of Importance 10
Transacted.

Transacted.
Washington, Jan. ia member of
congress acknowledging on the floor of
the house of representatives to his
brother members and to the galleries
that he had been guilty of violation Of
law and had been indicted for it was the
remarkable spectacle presented under
the capitol dome Tuesday. The cir
cumstances connected with the affair
followed in natural sequence the bitter
debate last Friday while the Pacific
railroad refunding bill was pending. On.
that day Mr.. johnson (Cal.) made an
attack on Mr.. William II. Hearst, of
the New York Journal and the San
Francisco Examiner. Tuesday he found
in the Congressional Record column
of print devoted to personal references
to himself, inserted by Mr.. Mcguire
(Cal.) under leave to print. Rising TO
make personal explanation, Mr.. John
son, his voice frequently breaking with
passion, criticised Mr.. Mcguire severe
ly for attacking him in that manner aud
not on the floor. He admitted that he
had been indicted in Syracuse, us
charged by Mr.. Mcguire, but had atoncd
for his offenses. He said that his full
record was known to the people of his
congressional district, and that they
had shown their belief in him by send
ing him to congress. Mr.. Johnson's re-
marks were applauded several times.
Concerning Mr. Mcguire, his colleague
called him "human hyena" and other
such terms, and also bitterly denounced
Mr.. Hearst. Quite as vigorous was Mr..
MaguireS response. He defended Mr..
Hearst and himself and did not spare
Mr.. johnson. After several roll calls
the house disposed of the matter by ex-
punging Mr.. Maguire's remarks from
the Record.
Washington, Jan. 15.-Tn the senate
Tuesday bill was introduced by Sem
ator Hill (dem., n. w and was referred
to the post Office committee proposing
to fix the term of fourth-class postmas-
tiers at four years, except in the case of
appointments to fill vacancies, when
they are to be for the unexpired portion
of the term. He explained and advo-
Gated the measure as one which would
start political bookkeeping on correct
principles and which would be fair to
all parties. Senator Hill alluded in
passing to the wholesale removal of
fourth-class postmasters under Mr.. Ste
venson (now vice presidenD and Mr.
Wanamaker when they were respective
~ assistant postmaster-general and
postmaster-general, and to the rarity of
such removals under the present adj
Observation-Disclosures to the demoral-
ization of the presidents party or not
he would not stop to discuss. He argued
that the passage of the bill would be
productive of much good, as it would
place those offices, now the football of
politics, on fixed and definite basis.
The resolution offered by Senator
Allen (pop., Neb.) Monday in regard to
the violation of the eight-hour law. in
Brooklyn by contractors with the navy
department, was taken up and agreed
to-Senator Chandler (rep., n. H.) ad-
hitting that he had been mistaken in
asserting that the eight-hour law did
not apply to contractors.
| The house bill for free homesteads on
public lands acquired from Indian
tribes was taken up as the unfinished
business. 1t was advocated by Senator
Allen, who declared that the existing
reign of bankruptcy and suicides" was
the logical consequence of the financial
policy adopted by the government. 1t
was opposed by Senator Villas (dem.,
| Wis., because 1t would surrenred $685.
100000 in money, part of which was due
under contracts between the govern
ment and settlers OH these public lands,
and because it would give rise 10 claims
for the refunding of all the money here
tofore received by the government from
settlers on Indian lands.
Tilt Between Villas and Allen.
In the course of the discussion there
was an amusing interchange of thrusts
and parties between Senators Villas and
Allen in relation to which was the real
democratic platform, that adopted at
Chicago or that adopted at indianapolis
Senator Villas asserting that the for.
mer was against the best interests Of
the United States and that the latte,
was founded throughout on democ.
racy.
II suppose" Senator Pettigrew (sil
Yer, S. d. broke in, at is the republican
platform which is meant; for that i:
the one the senator from Wisconsin sup
ported?"
''By no MEANS" said Senator Villas
II supported the platform adopted a
Indianapolis; and if there is one sen
tcnce, line or word in that platform
not founded on democracy l woul,
like to have it pointed out"
Senator Allen was about to read from
the Chicago platform when Senator
Villas interrupted him and said that thu
democratic platform was the one adopt
ed at indianapolis.
II am reading" said Senator Allen
''from the democratic platform = tn.
regular democratic platform, and no
from that Indianapolis rump affair
He added: us the senator pleased will
the course of Wisconsin going repub
lican last fall2
81 must cordially approve" Senate
, Villas replied, with great deliberatenes
of manner, "the determination of tn,
people of Wisconsin by which ma joy
, ity of 10000 in voting population o
little over 100000 was cast against
policy detrimental to the interests o
i the United States"
"Then the SENATOR" Senator Allen in
sisted, approves of the election of Nc
Kinley and of the success of the repub
lican party?"
|, II am not interested in political quib