Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-21
A QUESTION OF vERAcITY
Mr.. Bailey and the Speaker Dispute Each
Others Word.
Motion to Recommit the Diplomatic
Bil-The Occasion for an Exciting
Scene I'm the House.

Speaker Reed, from the rostrum OF the
House. and Mr.. Bailey, leader of the demo.
Gratis, from his place on the floor glared at
each other at the close of the Cuban debate
yesterday afternoon and Joined an issue of
reracity. This sensational episode COM
rletely overshadowed the interest in the
Cuban debate, which had continued unin-
terruptedly in the House for three DAYS
during the consideration OF the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill. Notice
had been given by Mr.. Williams ,Miss)
that at the conclusion of the debate yester-
day motion would be made to recommit
the bill with instructions When the motion
was made by Mr.. Bailey it was ruled out
OF order by the Speaker. Mr. Bailey there
upon startled the House by affirming that
ne had had private understanding with
the Speaker by which a vote should be
taken directly on the motion to recommit.
rms the Speaker empnatically denied. and
these two leaders of their respective parties
in the House, with white faces and voices
shaken by emotion, set their statements
against each other, while the galleries
looked on in GREATNESS amaxement and the
members were In an uproar.
Mr. Smith tMich). who said he was pres
ent. corroborated the Speakers side of the
case. The result of the Speakers position
was that an appeal was taken from his
decision. and by a strict party vote IL was
laid on the table, les TO ia, the democrats
and populists. aston the two previous days.
voting against the solid republican
strength. The debate yesterday was not a.
! interesting as on either of the two proceed
| Ing days. The features were a character
istic speech by Champ Clark MOI. a
strong appeal for conservatism from Mr.
Johnson UndD, a presentation of the re-
suits of his observations in Cuba during
his recent trip to the island from Mr. King
lutahl, and an hours speech by Mr. Ding
ley tMe) in explanation of the causes OF
the reduction of the wages in the New Eng
| land cotton industry.
Mr. BaiIey's Protest.
At o'clock the committee rose under the
arrangement made the day before and re-
ported the bill to the House. One of the
most dramatic and sensational episodes of
this Congress followed. The Speaker OF
the House and Mr.. Bailey of Texas the
democratic leader. FLASHED on question
| OF veracity and the excitement rose to the
boiiing point The Texan moved TO recon-
mt the bill with instructions TO the COM
mttee to report IL back with an amend
ment embodying the terms of the Senate
Cupan belligerency resolution.
MT Hit Immediately made the point of
order that the amendment was not ger
name and was obnoxious to the rule
against new legislation.
This point the Speaker promptly sus-
tanned.
Mr.. Bailey. surrounded by a group Of
democrats, protested that the agreement
made yesterday included provision for a
vote on the motion to recommit
Mr. Hit denied this, saying that the no.
uce OF the motion to recommit was given
alterward. There was much confusion
While Mr.. Hit was talking and when no
concluded Mr.. Bailey suddenly electrified
ihe Rouse with the statement that he had
had distinct understanding to that effect
with the Speaker of the House.
me chalr states that the gentleman
from Texas is mistaken" retorted the
fha .,1...
Phatic tones. The Speaker looked the
Texan straight in the eye and his voice
quivered with emotion
The chair never agreed that a motion.
"nich was plainly out Of order, would be
entertained. The gentleman notified me
that there would be no further opposition {"
And L make the statement" declared
MI. bailey without hinching, that We did
nave such an agreement"
he, too, was evidently laboring under
great stress OF feeling. BY this time the
iiouse was In an uproar and the spectators
| in the galleries were looking on with amaze
ment. MI. Bailey proceeded to explain
lne circumstances under which he alleged
inc agreement was made. He said thar
some or the members on his side desired to
attend the funeral of a distinguished ex
member (Mr. Butterworth) Yesterday af-
ternoon, but they desired to remain III
there We're to be any votes. He had an
preached the Speaker. he said. with the
proposition of a vote on the motion TO re-
commit. The chair had assented he DO
clared, and he had SO Informed his COL
leagues.
Il never knew until this motion was
presented" interrupted Mr.. Hit, what
the instructions were to be-"
The chair again states that no agree
ment was made said the Speaker looking
down on the turbulent scene before him
and II confederation is needed he has lust
been informed by a gentleman who was
present."
The Speaker Corroborated
Il think the chair will need corrobora-
tion,' interrupted Mr.. Bailey emphatically.
Il again oppose my statement against that
of the Speaker"
The confusion at this point was very
great. but the voice of Mr. Smith 1Mich.D
could be heard shouting above the tumult
that he had been present, and that no
agreement had been made.
The chair is willing to rest the case on
the statement made by him." declared the
Speaker, as he beat the desk with his gayel
| in his attempt TO restore order
Mr.. Bailey thereupon appealed from tn.
decision of the chair, and Mr. Dalzell
moved to lay the appeal on the table The
| roll was called amid much confusion but
party lines were unbroken, and by a vote
of l6s to ia the appeal was laid on tho
table.
The bill was then passed, 15S to 95 and
at 4:4O pm. the House adjourned.
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