The herald., 1898-04-16
IN THE HOUSE
A Roast OF Reed the Only Interesting
Incident


WASHINGTON April 15.-Only single
incident in the session Of the house today
was worthy Of public notice. Mr.. Bailey.
the Democratic leader, rose to question
of privilege to reply to a Philadelphia
newspaper criticism charging him with re-
spousibility for the d!sorderly scene IN the
house on Wednesday. Mr.. Bailey said
that a public man was seldom justified In
replying to criticism, but in this case he
could not. in justice to himself, allow such
a statement to pass without reply. He az
firmed that If there was any individual re-
snonsfble for the scene it must rest upon
the speaker himself. He read from the
Congressional Record the report OF the
colloquy to sustain his position. AS he pro-
ceeded with his arraignment OF the speaker
there were manifestations of suppressed
excitement on the floor. The speaker lis
tened with an imperturbable countenanca
Mr.. Bailey said: Constrained by what
consider the unfair and unjust treatment
of the chair, objected, and upon that OBJ
lection arose the scene Of disorder that is
regretted by every member OF this house.
But for the results which followed 1t, the
responsibility is upon the speaker OF this
house. who sought a mean, partisan ad-
vantage by forcing his political opponents
into false position, Applause On the DEM
ocratic side) and the country ought to
know It. I understand the spe eaker OF the
house"
s.Is this an arraignment Of the speaker
or a question of personal privilege?" in
terposed Mr.. Steele of Indiana. Republic
an.
1.-THE chair does not know, but will prob
ably soon learn" observed the speaker,
blandly.
ut is the daily airing the gentleman
gives himself" calculated Mr. Dalzell of
Pennsylvania, Republican.
IT did not understand the oracular state
ment of the gentleman" observed Mr..
Bailey.
"Well. then, I will repeat It," said Mr..
Dalzell. "It is the daily airing the gentle
man gives himself"
"And that is only the daily falsehood
that men on that side are guilty Of" re-
torted Mr.. Bailey.
1.-THE gentleman has demonstrated what
the papers alleged-that he has lost his
head" Mr.. Dalzell replied.
"The gentleman from Pennsylvania Gays,
because l characterize his ungentlemanly
interruption as 1t ought to be character
ized. that I have lost my head" said M.
Bailey. 1.-THE truth is that he and his as
socates imagine that men can be assafied
and called liars and that II they resent
it they have lost their heads. (Cries OF
"Ah" on the Republican side.) / have not
lost mine now and l did not lose 1t then.
That man may lose his temper under
provocation is a very natural thing, but
men may still lose their tempers and not
lose their heads. But If in order for man
to preserve his equanimity and appear cool
he must allow insults to pass unanswered,
then I prefer to be classed with those who
Lose their heads. would Infinitely rather
rather lose my head resenting an insult
than to lose my self-respect by submitting
to one. Applause on the Democratic side }
I did not expect a man belonging to either
party to cease to be partisan when he
became speaker of the house, and the
speaker. whenever occasion offers. exer-
cises his office for the advantage OF his
party. 1 expect the present speaker to do
1t as certainly as any man who ever occu-
pied the chair; but until short while
ago 1 believed that the present speaker of
this house was as partisan as an honest
could be; but after the performances Of
last Wednesday I would not be willing to
father that sentiment any longer. have
never known on a great occasion any more
unfair advantage attempted, and even II 1t
had succeeded, what little advantage there
was would have passed from my memory
lorsg before the recollection Of the speakers
partisan action" cloud applause ON the
Democratic side.)
When Mr.. Bailey took hts seat the
speaker leaned forward slightly and re-
piled, speaking slowly and distinctly:
"The chair desires to say that whatever
he has done, the other day or any day
since the commencement Of this session.
has been done In the presence of the house
and Of thousand witnesses. He does not
feel that It is necessary for him to discuss
his conduct. cloud applause on the Re
publican zide) The gentleman from Texas.
after two days Of deliberatlon, has felt
that his situation demanded discussion and
explanation. daughter on the Republican
side.) With that idea the chair entirely
agrees. Uaughter) 1t Is not the first time
that the gentleman from Texas has aseail-
ed rfie. To It I have no reply except simply
what the house knew. that the gentleman
from New York (Quiev) did not mean an
obieotiop really or tAcAp1csllN and NYexY-