Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-16


This was the closing day of the
general debate on the financial bill in
the House Of Representatives., but that
! fact failed to arouse more than
| lanSuid interest in the proceedings.
| Jones. Va. opened the debate in oppo-
sition 10 the bill
After Rhea. Ky. and Williams. H.,
had spoke against the bill the seren-
ity Of the debate was unexpectedly in
tcrrupted by a rather sensational per-
sonal clash between Berry and Wheel
or, both Democrats, of Kentucky
Wheeler secured recognition to uues-
ton statements made by Berry, yes
terday, as to corruption in the recent
Kentucky campaign.
II regret the necessity of having to
wash our dirty linen Of Kentucky on
the floor of the House" said Wheeler.
but | don't propose that our people
shall be maligned and slandered with
out a word of protest"
He declared that Berry represented
neither Kentucky nor her people and
that the people of his district would
speedily rebuke him by retiring him to
private life. The election of TAYLOR
he asserted, had been bought and paid
for. with a railroad on one side and the
plain people on the other. But despite
this. he said, Governor Goebel" would
yet be seated
Yes | use the word advisedly," pro-
ceoded Wheeler. referring to his char
acterizinS of Mr. Goebel as governor,
for before the buds burst on any tree
in Kentucky he will be its chief execu-
tive and he will have routed that ne
farious gang who won their certificate
of election by corruption, fraud and
rascality"
Wheeler closed by declaring emphat-
ically that Taylor had not been elected;
that he mad secured by irregular
methods certificate of election: but
that when the calcium light Of the
courts was turned on this procedure.
as it would be. William Goebel would
be seated in the executive chair.
Berry was quickly on his feet as
Wheeler closed and responded savage
". He said the speech just heard was
typical Of the intolerance Of that Ken
lucky element which would not brook
any freedom of opinion. Shaking his
finger at Wheeler, Berry exclaimed:
You are cringing at the feet of Goe-
bel, and I tell you that your scalp is
taken now by Goebel"
When reference was made to the ir-
regularity Of the Louisville convention
Wheeler sought to interrupt. but Der
ry waved him off. declaring that the
had participated in the dis
order and stood up and yelled down
with policemen about him.
Wheeler interjected a fiat contradict
ton of this. but not needing Interrupt
tons. Berry proceeded in his fiery re-
Spouse, declaring that Wheeler was las
bad as GOebel himself
Wheeler gained a minute to reply,
defending the regularity Of the Louis
vile convention and saying that only a
few thugs and toughs We're excluded.
The tension over the affair was re-
ieved at this point by a point Of order
rom Cox. who said: II object to hay-
ng this Kentucky side show thrust in
Q financial debate to the edification
# the Republican side"
This caused a laugh and the heat
If the exchange between the two Ken
lucky gentlemen was dspelled.
Brosius. Pa, spoke in favor of the
financial bill. Brosius declared that
10 page in American history would
shine with greater splendor through
he centuries than that which tells how
his nation preserved its honor. main
Continued on page %