The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-05
GOEBEL LAW ATTACKED
Boreing Would Like the Federal Elec-
tion Law For Kentucky.
WHEELER AND PUGH HAVE WoROY DUEL
Wheeler Declares Ohio and Kentucky Election
Laws Almost Identical. Pugh lnslnuates
Strongly That He Lies. Wheeler
Forces Him 10 Take Water.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, April 4.-There was an
exciting scene in the House today as
the climax of discussion of the Ken
lucky situation when Mr.. Wheeler, a
Kentucky Democrat, and Mr.. Pugh, u
Kentucky Republican, faced each 9th
er from opposite sides of the main
aisle and indulged in a wordy duel.
Mr.. Pugh charged Mr.. Wheeler with
misrepresenting certain. facts. lie was
laboring under great excitement. Mr.
Wheeler showed admirable temper and
though quick to resent the fancied in
suit awaited the disclaimer of Mr..
Pugh. There was an mir of suppress
ed excitement throughout the debate.
1t was the first time the subject had
been preached in the House and in
tense interest was manifested. The
fencing was sharp and brilliant. With
out preliminary business the House
resumed consideration Oh the 1awa"-
an Bill
Mr.. Mcdowell, (Ohio,) one of the
original opponents OF Hawaiian an
nexation was the first speaker. He
inveighed against the labor condl-
tions and corporation influence there.
Il
Porto Rican Bill was announced and
the measure was Immediately referred
to the Ways and Means committee.
Mr.. DeArmond criticised the labor
conditions and the section extending
the Constitution to the islands as far
as applicable, saying the Constitution
was there of its own vigor.
Mr.. Boreing ,(KyD, who followed
with a general political speech, arous-
ed general interest by discussing the
Kentucky situation. Holding the lignt
of civilization before the world as the
United States were doing, were we,
he asked willing to see the torch OF
liberty extinguished at the birthplace
of Abraham Lincoln and the home of
Henry Clay. SO far as the Goebel cleo
ton law of that State was concerned,
he said, the people of Kentucky would
be glad to exchange places with Porto
Rico or Hawaii. They were not ask
ing for Federal interference, they
were asking simply for fair elec-
ton law. He gave notice that if nec-
essary to get rid of the Goebel law he
would ask for the passage of the Fed
eral election law.
81 will not appeal on behalf of the
colored race or of the Republican par5
ty." said ne, ''but for n general elec-
ton law which will enable the Federal
Courts to reach out and determine the
validity and constitutionality of the
election laws of the several States"
Mr.. Wheeler, (Ky), replied in
fiery speech. He admitted that the
situation was humiliating 10 every
Kentuckian, but had hoped that it
would not be ventilated here. He
eulogized the Goebel election law. He
would not contend that ,he dominant
party had not taken advantage Of it's
power in districting the State. IT had
done so following the tactics OF the
dominant party in most OF the States
The threat OF n Federal election law,
he said, was used to terrorize the
Democrats. Mr.. Boreing disclaimed
any intention of threatening the Dem
ocrats. But the law must be repealed.
at will never be repealed" rctorted
Mr.. Wheeler.
Continuing Mr.. Wheeler said that
''al the fuss was being kicked up in
kentucky by fellows who We're trying
10 hold office in defiance of the courts
whose mandates they refused to
obey"
Mr.. Wheeler then became involved
IN the controversy WIN MI. Gugh.
''Thc election commission did not
declare TAYLOR Governor Of Ken
tucky," said Mr.. Wheeler. "They said
that on the face of the returns he had
the majority, but that it bore such
unmistakable evidence of fraud that
if they had the right they would go
behind it and kick him out, as the
Legislature did"
II do know that some OF them tried
TO pave the way for the contest" re-
piled Mr.. Pugh hotly. ''that was af-
forwards waged on partisan lines in
the Legislature, to the disgrace OF
our commonwealth and to the dis
grace of you as citizen thereof.
(Applause on the Republican side.)
THAT is the gentleman's opinion.
retorted Mr.. Wheeler sarcastically. Il
would rather be disgraced Mr.. Chair
man, at any time by taking my iot
with the Democrats of Kentucky than
TO be identified with the men who
took the life of Governor Goehel OF
that State" (Applause on the Demo
cratic side.)
Are you quite certain that the men
who took the life Of Goebel could not
be carried 10 your own ranks rather
than To the Republican party in Ken
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