The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-09
HOUSE WAS IN AN IpROAR
SENSATIONAL SCENES MARKED
THE CLOSING HOURS

The Lie Passed Between Messrs. Cam
non, of Illinois, and Ball, of Texas
-PersOnaI EncOunter Prevented
Only With Great Dfmculty-In-
cident Succeeded by Wild Out
bursts of Enthusiasm.
WASHINGTON, July S.-The end of
the session Of congress in the house
was marked by two notable incidents,
one sensationally partisan, well-nigh
resulting in a personal conflict on the
floor, the other was notably patriotic,
sweeping away all signs of the former.
The only measure of Importance
passed was bill to reimburse states
for expenses incurred in aiding the
organization of the volunteer army.
Mr.. Handy Oem., Del), by moving
to strike from the record a part Of
the speech which appeared as that Of
Mr. Ray Rep., N. ", precipitated the
dispute which brought ion the first in
cident Of sensational nature. Mr.. Han
dy declared the part in question was
uttered upon the floor of the house,
and he read from reporters notes to
ccrroborate his assertion.
Mr.. Ray declared he had uttered
every word. The house was becoming
excited; the packed galleries were in
tensely interested.
'Mr. Speaker" resumed Mr.. Handy,
"a question of veracity has arisen
here. If the gentleman from New York
GOV l,n ~
tion, I declare upon my honor he did
not, and I hold here the reporters
notes which show that he did not, and
I rely upon the memory Of members
to substantiate what I say"
Vote, vote" came from members all
over the house, who clung to a hope
that their bills might be passed within
the remaining hour Of the session. and
were in haste to have the Ray-Handy
incident closed.
A vote was taken. The house. de-
vision was called for, and the negative
vote again prevailed.
Mr.. Cannon was standing just across
the center aisle, face flushed and eyes
fixed upon the minority, growing ap-
parently indignant.
II call 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 were lost in the jeers Of
the minority, calls for the regular or
6ar h.
Cannon charged up the aisle, pouring
out flood of vigorous denunciation.
He had reached point opposite Mr..
Ball Oem., Tex). Mr. Cannon had
called for the yeas and nays, saying
1t was manifest the Democrats would
call for them. Mr.. Cannon had re-
peated his charge of obstruction, when
Mr. Ball, addressing the Republican
side, as it subsequently deveroped, de-
clared: 1.-THE record is false, and you
knew it was false when you voted
against correcting it."
LIE PASSED.
"That is a lie," cried Mr.. Cannon,
and in an instant the belligerent men,
bers were struggling to reach each 9TH
er, while many others were pulling and
struggling to control them. The house
was upon it's feet. Mr.. Marsh Rep.,
1ll) seized Mr.. Cannon and thrust him
aside, and, when Mr.. Ball asked Mr..
Cannon to "come outside" and the lat
ter was moving to comply, when Mr..
Lewis Oem., Wash.) took charge of
the Illinois member and restrained him.
Meantime the speaker had been pound
ing hard, and the sergeant-at-arms,
Mr.. Russell, had seized the big silver
mace and was moving among the mem
bers where the greatest disorder pre-
vailed. Order was restored slowly, and
roll call proceeded, while the galle-
ries commented upon what they had
seen In the course of a visit to Wash
ington.
The roll call upon Mr. Handy's mo-
ton to strike out resulted, yeas, SO;
nays, 1O6.
Later in the session Mr.. Cannon ex-
planned that Mr.. Ball had addressed
his remarks not to him personally, and,
therefore, he desired to withdraw his
offensive statement.
AT o'clock, when Speaker Reed an
nounced: This second session Of this
congress is adjourned without day." a
great cheer arose, and then began a
scene, which, while similar to usual
closing scenes of sessions, far sur
passed in enthusiasm and manifest
good feeling any similar episode in the
memory of the Oldest member Of the
house. The occupants of the packed
galleries, who had risen to go, paused
as they heard a half dozen members
begin singing America Other mem
bers hurriedly crowded around the
speakers stand and Joined the sing
ers, until within a short time it seemed
all members present were aiding in
swelling the volume Of song. Presently
voice here and there in the galleries
Joined in, and it was not long until
members and spectators were all sing
ing the patriotic hymn.
PARTISANSHIP FORGOTTEN.
The scene was a marked transition
from the many partisan demonstrations
which had been witnessed such short
time before. Democrats and Republi-
cans were now singing in accord a ma
tional anthem. When the song ceased
some member proposed three cheers for
the nations president, and the roar of
sound that followed came from united
house. Then North, South, East, West,
a united country, was proposed and
then In turn came the heroes of the
| war, Dewey, Schley, Hopson, Sampson,
and finally former representative Gen.
Joseph Wheeler, who is now clinging,
though i'll, to his command in front Of