Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-05
HOT WORDS EXCHANGED
LIVELY SCENE IN THE HOUSE YES
TERDAY AFTERNOON.
Messrs. Pugh and Wheeler in a Con-
troversy Over the Kentucky
Gubernatorial Contest.


cllssing the controversy over the governor
ship of Kentucky, he became involved with
Mr.. Pugh (KyO, who took issue with him
concerning certain statements The men,
bers were standing in opposite sides of the
main aisle
1.-THE election commission did not declare
Taylor governor of Kentucky" 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 legis-
lature did,
Did they not issue the certificates to
him. asked Mr.. Pugh.
Certainly they did; but they said it bore
such unmistakahle evidences of fraud that
If they had the power to go behind the re-
turns they would refuse him the certifi-
cate
II do know that some of them tried to
pave the way for the contest" replied Mr..
Push holly, that was afterward waged
on partisan lines in the legislature, to the
disgrace of our commonwealth and to the
disgrace OF you as a citizen thereof" Cap
plause on the republican side)
That is the gentlemans opinion retort-
ell Mr.. Wheeler, sarcastlcally. Il would
rather be disgraced, Mr.. Chairman. at any
time by taking my lot with the demo-
Gratis of Kentucky than to be identified
with the men who took the life of Governor
Goebel of that state" applause on the
democratic sde)
Are You quite certain that the men who
took the life of Goebel could not be car
ried to your own ranks rather than to the
republican party in Kentucky" asked Mr.
fGgh, livid with excitement, amid derisive
laughter on the democratic side
Nobody believes THAR shouted some one
on the democratic side.
DO you say nobody believes that?" asked
Mr.. Pugh. facing the democratic side was
we freI n
Goebel in that state by his own party than
was waged i'll the republican ranks? Was
he not denounced more from every stump
N the state Of kentucky by democrats than
by repubicans?"
Mr.. Whceler-"That is true Mr.. Chair
man. applause Oh the republican side) 1t
has been the fate of every great man who
was true to the interest of the peoDle to
incur the implacable hostility Of hirelings
and corruptionists 1t matters not where
he has been. (ApplaUsc on the democratic
slde.) And the worst element of the demo-
cratic party did assail him; but thank God
h" received 1872 600 votes, 80 0ttO more votes
than were ever given to a democratic car
Gidate for governor in Kentucky before
fhat SHOWS whether or not he was close
10 the people of the state of Kentucky
Mr.. Pugh-"How many votes did Gov
Taylor receive"
Mr.. Wheeler-"That is a question that no.
body but the republican leaders and God
Almighty will ever know in my opinion. l
decline to be interpreted further
Mr.. Pugh-"ff you will only state the
truth
Mr.. wheeler-"The gentleman certainly
does not mean to insinuate that l state
anything else"
Mr.. Pugh (continuing)-"If you will state
the facts Yes, | do state that when you
state that the Kentucky election law is
identical with the Ohio election law that
you utterly misrepresent that law
Mr.. Wheeler-"I say it is similar in all
respects and identical in many. Do l I'M
dor and t1r,,,,
is false?"
Mr. Pugh-"If you mean that to be true,
l say, speaking adviscdly, 1 will use a mild
er term and say, that you greatly misrepre-
sent the facts. l do not say that you in
tcntiOnally do 1t, and l must attribute it to
a lack of knowledge
Mr.. Wheeler-'I want the gentleman to be
a little more careful in what he says about
this matter. l do not care to have the
gentleman insulting in his remarks. 1 hope
it is not SO intended -
Mr. Pugh-"Surcly, you do not take it In
that way. 1t is not SO intended"
Mr.. Wheeler-"I did not think So
Having accepted Mr.. Pugh's disclaimer
MI. Wheeler then reviewed the history of
The whole controversy, step by step. Tho
question was now before the court of last
resort, he said.
How they will decide I cannot say" said
he, but if they decide that Mr.. Taylor is
governor of Kentucky no citizen of the
state will support him more loyalty than
decision Of that tribunal, whether it be ad-
verse or whether 1t be favorable.
Il do not believe. Mr.. Chairman, that
the republican party Of Kentucky is re-
sponsible for the assassination of William
Goebel. l would be willing to leave the
state If 1 thought SO. Some of the best
friends have got on earth arc republicans
l am not SO gangrened with political preiu-
dice that am bound to sec something bad
In man that does not agree with me on
any question. (Applause.) Some of Ken
tucky's most chiveireus and distinguished
sons have been republicans; and they
would put behind them with scorn as
would any knightly democrat in the state.
the insinuation that they had stained their
hands in the blood of this magnificent pro-
duct of civilization. do rot charge 1t on
the republican party. say there are some
republicans who are responsible, and this
same law that we have obeyed and intend
shirt Of Nessus, will stick to them until it
consumes their very bones, or We prosecute
them to their conviction
In conclusion Mr.. Wheeler assured the
members who had crowded about during
the excitement. and the packed galleries,
that there would be no bloodshed in Ken
lucky.
But" said he, "the Goebel law is there
to stay. 1t will remain as a permanent
and enduring monument to the knightIy
son Of Kentucky who was stricken down
by a concealed and cowardly assassin"
The democrats gave Mr.. Wheeler a round
of applause when he concluded.
Mr.. Lacey Qowa) replied briefly to Mr.
Wheeler denouncing the Goebcl law When
he alluded to the throwing out of the re-
turns from Louisville, Mr.. Wheeler asked
him If it was any worse for the democrats
of Kentucky to throw out Louisville than
for the republicans of the House to unseat
MI. Young bye throwing out the city Of
Norfolk. Va.
1.-The gentleman makes the school boys
reply. You're another" responded Mr..
Lacey, amid laughter. The excitement
quickly subsidized and the debate went on
drearily other subjects.
The debate drifted back to the Hawaiian
bill under consideration. Mr.. Hamilton
(Mich.) made an able defense of the fea-
lures of the bill that had been criticised.
Mr.. Findley (S.CD and Mr.. Sulzer (NY)
concluded the debate.
WANT LAW ENFORCED.