The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-28
A BRolL IN THE LOBBY
A DOORKEEPER n TWO DOCTORS
ENGAGE IN A LIVELY FIGHT.
Almost Broke Up Houses Night Ses-
On-Th Speaker Orders an
Investigation.

DR.. Thomas Eastman became involved in
a quarrel with John Hutchens, a doorkeeper
for the House Of Representatives. last night.
During the evening DIR. Thomas Eastman
and his brother had been in the lobby
working against the University OF Indianap-
oils bill, claiming that under it preference
was shown one medical college over an
other. Suddenly, in the midst Of a speech
by MIR. Whitcomb, of Marion, there was a
sound of s%cufling in the lobby and a crowd
of excited men moved towards the door and
out into the hall. The members rose in their
seats and many of them started towards
the door. Speaker Littleton pounded for
order and several times ordered the door
keeper to close the door, but the doorkeep-
err was otherwise engaged.
JOIN Hutchens claimed that he had noticed
that DIR. Eastman had been talking rather
loud and had been leaning over so as to
annoy some ladies near him.. The second
time he did it Hutchens says that he touched
him and told him not to stand that way and
not to talk so loud. DR.. Rllus Eastman
took part in the trouble, thinking that his
brother was being imposed on.
DR.. Thomas Eastman said afterward that
he had been talking to Mr.. Caraway and
that this doorkeeper had come up to him
and in a very oficious manner had ordered
him to stop. He stated that he was outside
the railing, that he recognized the tight Of
the doorkeeper to preserve order in that
part of the hall and started out, when the
doorkeeper started after him and tried to
put him out. Just how they became en-
broiled then he could not tell. for 1t was all
done so quickly, but he saw his brother
come to his assistance and then the members
and others came up. DIR. Thomas Eastman
said he had been struck several times in
the back of the head by DR.. Edenharter.
Representative Caraway said that he
the doorkeeper. He did not consider that
DR.. Eastman was talking loud or was In any
way disturbing the proceedings of the House,
but SO many rushed between them that he
could not get by DR.. Eastman In time to
prevent the scene.
Speaker Littleton a short time later made
a strong talk on il. Said he: Il am in
formed that this evening some person or
persons In the lobby made an assault on one
Of our doorkeepers, and that blood was
thing will not be permitted or tolerated for
one moment. The Constitution Of the State
of Indiana %confers the power on both
branches of the General Assembly TO control
and exercise supervision over the hall and
the Hobbies. The lobby Of this chamber is
under the exclusive control OF this House,
and by the Constitution the House is author
lied to cause the arrest and imprisonment
not to exceed tWenty-f0ur hours Of any one
who disturbs, disgraces or interrupts the
proceedings. / shall not wait for a formal
motion to be made, but / shall appoint a
committee to thoroughly investigate this af-
fair and to report to the House at the first
opportunity. and if this committee shall find
that these persons are responsible for the
affair of this evening | shall insist that they
be brought before the bar of the House
and receive the punishment their conduct
merits if they be found guilty. ! shall name
as that committee Mr.. Artman, Mr.. Shideler
ard Mr.. James, and l desire that they shall
AT once begin this investigation"
The speakers remarks were punctuated
with loud applause from the members and
prolonged applause greeted the appointment
Of the committee. This committee will meet
at l O'Clock this afternoon to take testimony
relative to the affair.