Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-09

CLOSING SCENE IN THE HOUSE
The end of this session of Congress
in the House was marked by a sensa-
sational scene, we'll nigh resulting in
personal conflicts upon the floor Of the
House.
Mr.. Ray (republican, of New York;
Mr.. Handy democrat, of Delaware),
Mr.. Cannon (republican, of Illinois),
and Mr.. Ball democrat, of Texas were
the principal participants.
Mr.. Handy, by moving to strike from
the Record part of the speech which
appeared as that of Mr.. Ray, precipi-
tated the dispute. Mr. Handy declar-
ed that part in question was never ut
tered upon the floor of the House, and
he read from reporters notes TO cor
roborate his assertion.
Mr.. Ray declared he had uttered
every word
"Mr. Speaker" resumed Mr.. Handy,
"a question OF veracity has arisen here.
If the gentleman from New York says
he uttered the words in question, de-
declare upon my honor he did not, end
hold here the reporters notes which
show that he did not, and | rely upon
the memory of members to substan.
tate what say"
"Vote ~ "Vote !" came from men,
bers all over the House, who chung to a
hope that their bills might be passed
within the remaining hour of the SEES.
sion and were in haste to have the in
cident closed.
A vote was taken. The House de-
c'ined to strike out the speech. 4 di-
vision was called Tor and the vote was
announced. The negative vote again
prevailed.
Mr.. Cannon was standing just across
the centre isle, his face flushed and eyes
fixed upon the minority, growing APP
parently indignant.
81 called for tellers, said Mr.. Handy,
and with that the veteran member
from Illinois stepped into the aisle.
"You are deliberately obstructing
public business in which The whole
country is interested"-
The rest of his remarks was lost in
the eers from the minority, calls for
the regular order and the resulting con-
fusion as Mr.. Cannon charged up the
aisle, pouring out flood of vigorous
denunciation. He had reached point
opposite Mr.. Ball when he called for
the yeas and nays, saying it was mani
fest that the democrats would call for
them.
Mr.. Ball, addressing the republican
side, as it subsequently developed, de-
clared "The record is false, and you
knew it vas false when you voted
against correcting it,.
THAT'S lie,' cried Mr.. Cannon.
In an instant the belligerent members
were struggling to reach other. while
many others were pulling and strug-
Cling to control them. Mr.. Marsh IRE
publican, of Illinois) seized Mr.. Cannon
and thrust him aside, and when Mr.. Ball
asked Mr.. Cannon TO "come outside"
and the latter was moving to comply,
Mr. Lewis democrat, CT Wasl iagton)
took charge of the Illinois member and
restrained him.
Meantime the Speaker had been
pounding hard ana the SerSeant.at-
arms, Mr.. Russell, had seized the big
silver mace and was moving among the
members where the greatest disorder
prevailed. Order was restored slowly
and the roll.ca proceeded. The vote
upon Mr.. Handy's motion to strike out
resulted Yeas, so; nays, l06.
Later in the session Mr.. Cannon ex-
plaiued that Mr.. Ball had addressed his
remarks not to him personally, and,
therefore. he desired to withdraw his
offensive statement.
The House then passed the bill to re-
imburse the States for expenses incur
red in transporting feeding, cloth
ing and caring for soldiers in aid of or
ganization Of the volunteer army.