The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-04-05
KENTUCKY ROW IN HOUSE
REPRESENTATIVES, WHEELER
AND PUGH ENGAGE IN HOSTILE
DEMONSTRATIONS
GoEBEL KILLING DISCUSSED
Proceedings of the Day Dvvarfed by
the Tilt Between the Rival Com
greSslnen From the Dis
turbed state.

WASHINGTON. April 4-There was an
exciting scene in the house today, as the
climax of discussion of the Kentucky
situation when Mr.. Wheeler, a Kentucky
Democrat, and Mr.. Pugh, a Kentucky
republican faced each other from oppo-
site sides of the main aisle, and INDUCED
in a wordy duel
Mr. Pugh charged Mr.. Wheeler with
misrepresenting certain facts. He was
laboring under great excitement.
Mr. Wheeler showed admirable temper.
and though quick to resent the fancied
insult awaited the explanation of Mr..
Pugh' In which he disclaimed any inten-
ton of imputing to him personally a de-
sire to distort the facts
1hroughout the debate which was pre-
clpltated by Mr.. Boring, the other Re-
publican member from Kentucky, there
was an air of suppressed excitement. 1t
was the first time the subject had been
proached In the house, and intense in
terest was manifested.
Mr. Lacey, of Iowa, concluded the de-
bate with general denunciation Of the
Goebel election law.
Ihis incident overshadowed the other
speeches. today on the Hawaiian bill.
many of which were Irrelevant
Mr.. Boring (Ky) aroused interest by
discussing the Kentucky situation. Hold
Ing the light 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 birth
place of Abraham Lincoln and the home
OF Henry Clay. 1t was with no spirit of
acrmony, he said, that he referred to the
situation in Kentucky. SO far as the
Goeoel election law of that state was con-
cerned, he said the people of Kentucky
would be glad to exchange places with
Puerto Rico or Hawaii They were not
asking for federal interference-they were
asking simply for a fair election law.
MI Boring gave numerous illustrations
of the manner in which the election law
operated to the disadvantage of the Re.
publicans of the state
MR.. WHEELER AROUSED.
Mr.. Boilings speech drew the fire of
Mr. Wheeler Cky), who replied in liery
speech. He had sincerely hoped, he said
tnat the Kentucky situation would not
be brought to the attention of congress.
He admitted that the situation was hui
initiating TO every Kentuck:an, but had
hoped that 1t would not be ventilated
here Proceeding he euIogized the Che
bel election law, which had been declared
constitutional by the highest court of the
state. To that decision, he said, it was
the duty of every awabiding citizen to
bow He would not contend that the
dominant party had not taken advantage
of its power in districting the state. It
had done SO, following the tactics of the
dominant party in most of the states.
Continuing, Mr.. Wheeler said that |'all
the fuss was being kicked up i'll Ken
lucky by fellows who were trying to hold
office in defiance OF the courts, whose
mandates they refused to obey" He chal-
ienged Mr.. Boring and Mr.. Pugh, of Ken
lucky, to point out a single instance OF
fraud or rascality under the Goebel elec-
ton law.
Mr. Boring cited the case of the city
Of Louisville, the vote of which was
thrown out.
The city of Louisville was thrown ou5
by the legislature" replied Mr.. Wheeler,
'acting under the provision of the con-
stitution the Goebel election law.
The election commissioners did not de
clare Taylor governor of Kentucky said
Mr. Wheeler. "They said that on the
face of the returns he had the majority
but that 1t bore such unmistakable evil
dence of fraud that If they had The right
they would go behind it and kick him cul.
as the Legislature did"
did they not issue the certificate to
him?" asked Mr.. Pugh.
Certainly they did. but they SAID It
bore such unmistakable evidences of
fraud that if they had the power 10 so
behind the returns they would refuse him
the certificate"
MIR. PUGH ANGRY.
81 do know that some of them tried 10
pave the way for. the contest" replied
Mr.. Pugh, holly, that was afterwards
waged on partisan lines in the legislature,
to the disgrace Of our commonwealth aud
to the disgrace Of you as citizen thereof"
applause on the Republican side)
THAT is the gentlemah's opinion" re-
torted Mr.. Wheeler sarcastically IT
would rather be disgTaced. Mr.. Chairman,
at any time by taking my lot with the
Democrats of Kentucky, than to be idea-
tilted 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 to
the Republican party in Kentucky?" ask
ed Mr.. Pugh, livid with excitement, amid
derisive laughter on the Democratic side.
Nobody believes that" shouted m,
one on the Democratic side.
do you say nobody believes that?"
asked Mr.. Pugh, facing the Democratic
side. WAS not a more bitter contest
waged against Mr.. Goebel In that state
by his own party than was waged In the
Republican ranks? Was not he de-
nounced more from every stump in the
state Of Kentucky by Democrats than by
Republicans"
Mr. Wheefer-That is true Mr.. Chair
man. applause on the Republican side)
It has been the fate of every great man
who was true to the interest of the peo-
pie to incur the hostility OF hirelings and
corruptionists. it matters not where he
has been applause on the Democratic
side) And the worst element of the
Democratic party did assail him, but
thank God, he received 1872 900 votes sc, 900
more votes than were ever given to a
Democratic candidate or governor in Ken
lucky before. That shows whether or
not ne was close to the people Of the
state of Kentucky.