The Van Buren press., 1899-04-22
ALMOST STARTED A RIOT.
An Unpopular Resolution Almost
Set the Pennsylvania Senate
by the Ears.
IT CAUSED An ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE
PEELED to Call Upon the Sergeant
at-Arms in Order to Induce an
Obstreperous Senator to Observe
the Proprieties.

Harrisburg, Pa, April 2o.-The Nyct
resolution, calling upon the attorney
general to prosecute all those, includ
ing ex-senator Quay, who had beer
charged with receiving interest or
state money, almost precipitated I,
riot in the senate. It WAS a bitter
fight between two factions, and final
ly the resolution was laid on the table
by vote of 80 to g. The first speaker
was Senator Grady Quay. He had
scarcely begun his speech before Mr.
Henry (anti-Quay), demanded the
question. Brown, of Lawrence (Quay)
turned to Henry and said:
"We do not propose to vote for &
he."
Resolution in had Taste.
Mr.. Grady then proceeded, declaring
that the tender of such a resolution,
while the trial of a great cause was
pending, was in bad taste and an at,
tempt to prejudice the case. He as.
serted that there was no occasion to
instruct the attorney general.
Following Mr.. Grady came Mr.,
Brown, of Lawrence. He said there
was but one truthful sentence in the
resolution, and that was the line de.
claring state funds to be trust funds.
For one he felt that the proceedings
were unprecedented, monstrous for
the legislature to pass judgment on
man whose liberty was now at stake
in a court of justice. II have the
word of Senator Quay himself said
Mr.. Brown that he never received u
cent of interest on state money, and
take this statement as against all the
vile libels, of the lying, malicion,
hounds, who have been bounding him
for years."
Denounced as GuerriIIas.
Mr. Merrick, of Tioga, also opposed
the resolution and charged that the
men fighting Mr.. Quay were guerrillas
and that the object of the resolution
was to prejudice the minds of the
jurors in the Quay case now in prog
ress in Philadelphia.
The proceedings were interrupted by
one of the most extraordinary scenes
ever witnessed In the senate. Mr..
Flynn walked over to Mr.. Merricix
and glanced over the copy of the reso
luton. To this Mr.. Merrick objected
and Mr.. Grady remarked: why don't
you let the speaker alone"
"Why don't you mind you own bus
iness?" said Mr.. Flynn, angrily.
"That is my business" rejoined Mr.
Grady
"But it is not" replied Mr.. Flynn.
"You tend to your own business, for
/ will have no interference from you"
sergennt-at-Arms Called.
All this time Lieut.-Gov. Goblin, who
was in the chair, was rapping for or.
der. Finally he called upon the ser
geant-at-arms to present himself at
the bar. Thereupon Mr.. Flynn began
to walk over TO his seat
"We will have you seated" said Mr.
Grady, whose face was crimson from
anger.
"But you can't do that" was the re
ply.
81 don't want to- said Mr.. Grady
lHdt rs IL ma ditcI DetWeeH you anu th'
sergeant-at-arms.
Mr.. Flynn Took His Sent.
Mr.. Flynn took his seat and Mr.. Os
bourne arose and said: 81 will offer
resolution censuring Mr.. Flynn. J
never saw such a scene in my life il
the senate of Pennsylvania.
"Well, offer the resolution" declared
Flynn, as he kicked the drawer of hi
desk.
With this the incident ended, and OF
motion of Mr.. Cochran the resolution
was tabled