The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-05
KENTUClANS' WAR OF WORDS.
WHEELER AND PUGH LOCK HORNS
IN THE house.


ply to BOreing-Pugh Charged Him
With FaIsifying, Then Made Dis
cIaimer.
Washington, April 4.-There was an eX-
citing scene in the House to-day as the
climax of a discussion of the Kentucky
situation. when Mr.. Wheeler, Ken
lucky Democrat, and Mr.. Pugh. Ken
lucky Republican, faced each other from
opposite sides of the main aisle and in
dulged in a wordy duel.
Mr.. Pugh charged Mr.. Wheeler with
misrepresenting certain facts. He was
laborlng 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 air of suppressed excite
ment throughout the debate. 1t was the
first time the subject had been broached
in the House and intense interest was
maintained. The fencing was sharp and
brilliant
without preliminary business, the
House resumed consideration of the
Hawaiian bill Mr.. Mcdowell of
Ohio, one of the original oppon-
ents of Hawaiian annexation. was the
first speaker. He inveighed against the
labor conditions and corporation influence
there.
The passage by the Senate of the Porto
Rican bill was announced and the meas
ure was Immediately referred to the
Ways and Means Committee.
Mr.. De Almond criticised the labor con-
ditions and the section extending the con-
stitution to the Hawaiian Islands as far
as applicable, saying the constitution was
there of its own vigor.
Kentucky Case Brought Up.
Mr.. Boreing Of Kentucky who followed
with a general political speech, reused
general interest by discussing the Ken.
lucky situation. Holding the light Of
civilization before the world as the United
States were doing, were we, he asked
willing to see the torch of liberty extin-
guished at the birthplace of Abraham
Lincoln and the home of Henry Clay So
far as the Goebel election law of that
state was concerned, he said, the people
of Kentucky would be glad to exchange
places with Porto Rico or Hawaii. They
We're not. asking for Federal interference,
they were asking simply for a fair cleo
tion law. He gave notice that If neces-
sary to get rid of the Goebel law, he would
ask for the passage of a federal election
law.
II will not appeal on behalf of the COL
ored race or of the Republican party
said he, but for a general election law
which will enable the federal courts To
reach out and determine the validity and
constitutionalty of the election laws of
the several states"
Wheeler's Fiery Speech.
Mr.. Wheeler of Kentucky replied in a
fiery speech. He admitted that the sitl-
alton was humiInting to every Kentuck-
ion, but had hoped that 1t would not be
ventilated here. He eulogized the Goehel
election Jaw He would not contend that
the dominant party had not taken ad-
vantage of its power in districting the
state. 1t had done so, following the tao
tics of the dominant party in most OF the
states. The threat of a federal election
law, he said was used to terrorize the
Democrats
Mr. Boering discIaimed any intention of
threatening the Democrats. But the law
must be repealed
'It will never be repealed" retorted
Mr.. Wheeler
Continuing, Mr.. Wheeler said that "all
the fuss is being kicked up in Kentucky
by fellows who are trying to hold office
they refused TO obey"
Mr.. Wheeler then became involved in
the controversy with Mr.. Pugh.
THE election commission did not de-
clare Taylor Governor of Kentucky
sad Mr. Wheeler. "They said that on the
face CT the returns he had the majority.
but that 1T bore such unmistakable evil
dence of fraud that II they had the right
they would go behind it and kick him out,
as the Legislature did"
Mr.. PuEh Interrupts.
"I Go know that some of them tried to
rave the way for the contest" replied
Mr. Pugh hotly, that was afterwards
waged on partisan lines in the Legsla- -
ture to the disgrace Of our commonwealth n
and to the disgrace of you as a citizen
thereof applause on the Republican
side)
THAT is the gentleman's opinion" re-
torted Mr.. Wheeler sarcastically. IL
would rather be disgraced, Mr.. Chairman,
at any time by taking my lot with the
Democrats OF Kentucky than TO be iden-
titled with the men who took the life of
Gov Goebel of that state" applause on
the Democratic side)
Are you quite certain that the men
who took the life of Goebel could not be
carried TO your own ranks rather than 10
the Republican party in Kentucky?" ask
ed Mr.. Pugh. livid with excitement, amid
der'sive laughter on the Democratic side.
Nobody believes that" shouted some
one on the Democratic side.
"Do you say nobody believes that2'
asked Mr.. Pugh facing the Democratic
side. WAS not a more bitter cones,
waged against Mr.. Goebel in that sta te
by his own party than was waged in the
Republican ranks? Was he not denounced
more from every stump in the state o,
Kentucky by Democrats than by Repub-
licans2"
Mr.. Wheeler That Is true, Mr.. Chair
man." (applause on the Republican side).
1T has been the fate Of every great man
who was true to the interest OF the peo-
pie to incur the implacable hostility of
hrelings and corruptionists, 1t matters
not where he has been. applause on In :
Democratic side.) And the worst element
OF the Democra tic party did assail him.
but thank God he received $4,000 votes.
80, 900 more votes than were ever given to
Democratic candidate for Governor in
Kentucky before. That shows whether
or not he was close TO the people OF the
state OF kentucky"
Pugh's Charge of FaIsehood.
Mr.. Pugh: How many votes did Gov.
IN.