The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-13


me that William R. Hearst has already pub
iished in the columns of the San Francisco Ex-
aminer the speech alleged to have been made
by Mr.. Mcguire upon this floor. In this speech
he makes cowardly tnsinuation against me,
but has not the courage to state 1t openly and
frankly.
tits true that thirty-four years ago was in
trouble in the State OF New York. 1t is true,
sir, that thirty-four years ago was indicted:
1t is true. sir, that thirty-four years ago did
go to the State of California, 70 endeayor to
rear new home for myself 1t is untrue that
went there under any name except that OF
Grove L. Johnson, as the gentleman from Syr-
acuse IMr. Poole1, who has known me from
boyhood, knows. / went to Sacramento. ]
settled there in 1865 as Grove L. Johnson.
Well knowing the charge against me, the peo-
pie in Syracuse well knowing 1t and my resi-
day In and day out, and by the blessing of
God and the help of my wife and through my
own labor was able to pay back every dollar
of Indebtedness that owed in the city OF Syr-
acuse, in the State of New York. loud ap-
plause.l Every charge against me was dis
missed The very men that had suffered pc
cuniary loss at my hands were the first 10 con-
graduate me upon my success. And visited
Syracuse in 1870 and nearly every year since
always as Grove L. Johnson.
Now, while in Sacramento every man knew
me, they knew what l had done, but they
knew that had tried to live an honest life in
California. and unlike this human hyena (Mr.
Maguire) they did not dig up the grave of the
pas IN OrIfr h 70 ibev y mre ona
should meet another. During the entire cam
paign, from the very beginning TO the end of
it, was the recipient of the vilest abuse from
the paper conducted by this man Hearst-the
vilest abuse that was ever hehped on man.
That paper was filled with the bitterest siam
ders and the yilest caricatures of myself
You know how our honOred Speaker was Carl
catured by that paper during the campaign,
because you were present and saw It, You
know how bitter were the assaults that were
made upon him.
The gentleman from Maine (Mr Boutelle)
knows how he was assaulted by that infamous
paper, but the bitterness of the assaults upon
our honored Speaker were but as drops OF water
compared 10 the roar of the cataract OF
Niagara to the assaults that were made on me.
| am man with all the sentiments and ieel-
ings of man, and can stand reasonable
amount of punishment, although / am n OF in
vulnerable TO every shaft. But in addition
while my wife lay sick upon her bed during
the campaign, from which sickness the doctors
said she might not perhaps recover, this IN
famous wretchs sent cop es of his paper to my
wife; and in order that she might be gwen the
agony of reading the abuse OF her husband he
cut out the editorials and caricatures from his
paper, put them in envelopes, sealed them
and sent them 10 her as correspondence. until
the doctor directed my daughters never to
give my wife letter un TIL they had first read
1t themselves to know what was in it.
There is race of men in Ireland called in
formers, in Italy called braves, in Russia
called paid police spies; either one OF those
would nave scorned to do what the gentleman
from California did with reference to me. 1t
may be said I assailed man that not
present, and the gentleman from Wisconsin
(Mr. Cooper speaking OF II said was cOwardly
in assailing u man, who had assailed me for
more than year, that lives In New York; that
is safely ensconsed in the fortress of his house
in New York; who sends his order $500 miles
to California TO have me attacked, when can
not reply nor see him. Is that eowardly? If
the gentleman from Wisconsin thinks that
am cowardly or If the gentleman from Galifor
mia thinks am cowardly let either of them
repeat TO me outside of this chamber what
they aid in this chamber and their curiosity
will be appeased. [Applause.]
The Psychologists tell us that man changes
every sew years; for thirty-four years have
tried to make living for myself, my children
ana my grandchildren, who have been born
unto me land have taken good care OF them),
and now, in my old age, when can look back
ward, and not forward in life; when but a few
more years are given to me. when l ought TO
be permitted to enjoy few years of peace, is
il right that man should go back thirty-four
years and unlock the ooor OF the secret re-
cesses of the past, TO bring up the skeleton of
my Youthful conduct before you and exhibit
to the people of the United States, and
es specially in this sneaking, cowardly manner?
Ought not there be statute of Limitation TO
the past OF mar?
most singular effect upon the House. il was
one of the strangest spectacles Imaginable.
His seat was in the back row, imme dlately to
the right of the ter door. During his i'm
passloned speech, mis- body swayed, aud fire.
quently he ventured into the aisle, all the
while exhibiting signs OF the greatest excite
ment. His body fairly qufvered and his voice
was frequently choked with emotion. Several
of those nearest TO him saw tears III his eyes,
or whether true or not he certainly made
very lachrymoSe, not to say fearful plea Tor
sympathy.
At times Johnson appeared in most ludi-
crous light but when, with his eyes In fine
frenzy rolling, he called upon heaven TO wit
ness that he was reformed man, the CALLER
les broke into applause Such is the effect OF
emotional oratory.
Meanwhile Judge Mcguire, the sturdy,
sat in his seat, facing Johnson. His mouth
was firmly set, and the re was dangerous
fire IN his eye that BODIED trouble fer his
adversary. Few msn have seen the fat,
good natured Congressman angry, but his
feelings to-day was worked up 10 the high
est pitch. When Johnson ceased Mcguire
arose and said:
81 never printed anything anywhere in
nv life or asked another TO print it, or to
say it, that / was not myself ready to say
in presence of any man on earth. On Fri
day last, one OF the most remarkable, out
rageous, malicious speeches that | ever
heard, or which was ever was delivered in
respectable assembly of gentlemen, was
delivered by the gentleman from Cali
fornia."
Judge Mcguire then explained that on
Saturday he endeavored TO secure rccog-
milton as a matter of personal privilege to
answer Johnson, but failing in this, had
used the privilege accorded mem bers to
print their remarks in the Record.
THE gentleman need not concern HIM
self about my courage" said Mcguire.
"Mr. Hearst is conducting one of the
greatest newspapers published in tie
English language" [Laughter.] Hocts
and ieers of derision on the Republican
side greeted this statement.
Speaker Reed-The House will be in
order.
Mcguire (resuming)-Yes, the greatest
newspaper published on this continent.
Renewed laughter. which the Sneaker
repressed.
Judge Mcguire then took his seat and
was given a round OF applause by the
Democratic side. 1t was evident, how
| ever, that Johnson's fearful plea had won
the sympathy OF the House.
Poole of New York, tall. gray-mus-
tached. one-armed veteran, speaking In
support of motion to expunge Judge
Maguire's remarks about Johnson from
the Record, admitted that Johnson had
been guilty of criminal conduct in SYRIA
cuse, but expressed the belief that as re-
formed man he was now respected in Cali