The record-union., 1899-12-16
The Closing, Day Of General Debate
on the Financial Bill
Proved to b. One Of Exceptional Interest
In the Lower House.
A Sharp Personal Col1oquy Be-
tween Representative Wheeler
and Berry Of Kentucky Over the
Recent Election in Their State
Tends to Liven the PROCEEDINGS.

WASHINGTON, Dec 15.-The clos
ing day of the general debate on the
financial bill proved to be one of ex-
ceptional interest. At the outset a
sharp personal colloquy occurred be-
| tween Representatives Wheeler and
Berry of Kentucky over the recent Ken
lucky election, and the charges grow
ing out of it. Considerable feeling was
shown. Later in the day Mr.. Bailey OF
Texas, until recently the Democratic
floor leader, received close attention in
an hours speech vigorously presenting
the Democratic view, and eulogizing
the time honored and undying Demo
cratic organization. In marked con-
trast with Bailey's utterance, Scudder
of New York, who followed him, an
nounced as Democrat that he believed
in the gold standard, and would vote
for it. Payne of New York and Dalzell
of Pennsylvania also spoke during the
day. The debate under the five minute
rule occurs Tomorrow
Jones of Virginia opened the debate
in opposition to the BILL
After Rhea Of Kentucky and Will
Jams of Illinois had spoken against the
BILL the serenity of the debate was I'M
expectedly interrupted by rather SEN
sational personal clash between Berry
| and Wheeler, both Democrats of Ken
lucky. Wheeler secured recognition to
question statements made by Berry
yesterday as to corruption in the recent
Kentucky campaign.
Il regret the necessity of having to
wash our dirty linen of Kentucky or
the floor of the House. said Wheeler,
but I do not propose that our people
shall be maligned and slandered. with
out word Of protest"
Berry sat a few seats ahead of
Wheeler, and the latter addressed him
self personally to his colleague.
Wheeler declared that Berry repre-
scented neither Kentucky nor her peo-
pie, and that the people of
his district would speedily rebuke
him by retiring him to private life. The
election of Taylors he asserted. had
been bought and paid for, with a rail-
road 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-
ceeded Wheeler, referring to his char
acterization of Mr.. Goebel as Governor,
/ "for before the buds burst on any tree
in Kentucky he will be it's Chief Exc
cutive, and he will have routed that
nefarious gang who won their certif1-
cate of election by corruption, fraud
and raScality."
Wheeler closed by declaring emphat-
ically that Taylor had not been elected
that he secured by irregular methods
certificate of election, but when the
calcium lights Of the courts were turned
on this proceeding it would be William
Goebel who would be seated in the
Executive chair.
Berry was quickly on his feet as
ly, personally, and with much feeling
He said the speech just heard was
typical Of the intolerance of that Ken
lucky element which did not brook any
freedom Of opinion. He did not need
the influence Of the gentleman or his
hackers. Four times he had been sent
here, and he would return again.
Shaking his finger at Wheeler Berry
exclaimed: you are cringing at the
feet of Goebel, 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 Berry
waved him off, declaring that the gem
tleman has participated in the disorder,
and has stood up and yelled down op-
position, with policemen about him.
Wheeler interjected fiat contradict
ton of this, but not needing Interrupt
tons, Colonel Berry proceeded in his
fiery response, declaring that Wheeler
was as bad as Goebel himself
Wheeler gained minute 20 reply,
defending the regularity of the Louis
vile convention, and saying that only
few thugs and toughs were excluded
The tension over the affair was re-
lieved at this point by point Of order
from Representative Cox of Tennessee.
What is the point of order?" asked
the Chairman.
Il object to having this Kentucky
side show thrust into a financial de-
BATE said Cox gravely, to the edifica-
ton of the Republican side TriS
caused a laugh, and the heat of the
exchange between the two Kentucky
gentlemen was dispelled
Br,ossius of Pennsylvania spoke in fa-
vor of the bill.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-To-day the
practical completion of the Senate COM
mittees for the fifty-sixth Congress was
announced officially by Senator AID
rich of Rhode Island. He presented to
the Senate an order fixing the commit
tees, and it was adopted without dis
sent. A few vacancies in the minority
representation are yet to be filed. They
will be disposed of in few days. No
other business Of Importance was trans
acted by the Senate.
Soon after the Senate convened to-
day, on motion of Hale, it was agreed
to adjourn from to-day until next Mon
day.
Aldrich of Rhode Island then pre-
sented a special order fixing the stand
ing committees and their personnel for
the Senate of the fifty-sixth Congress.
The order was adopted without dis
sent, statement being made by Cock
rell of Missouri that such vacancies as
existed in the minority representation
would be filled at an early date.
Davis of Minnesota secured the pass
age of a resolution requesting the Sec