New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-29
CONGRESSMAN NEAR BLOWS.
THREATS AND EPITHETS EXCHANGED
AT THE IDAHO INVESTIGATION
[sY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l
Washington. March 2S.-Certain committees
of the House Of Representatives have long been
notorious for the personal jars and jolts which
enliven their weekly sessions Among these the
Committee on Military Affairs enjoys pleasing
eminence, for it is the fortune Of that body TO
number in its membership perhaps undue
proportion of statesmen prone to personalities
and hasty ebullitions of wrath. With minority
headed by such combative and infammable in
tellects William Sulzer, of NewYork; Mich
olas n. Cox, of Tennessee, and John ]. Lentz,
of Ohio the atmosphere of the committee room
may be said to be thick with trouble, likely to
discharge itself in stormy flashes on the least
apparent impact. The C@ur d'Alene inquiry,
which the committee has been prosecuting for
some time, has not tended to clarity the air in
the committee storage room, and no one was
surprised to-day when, with Governor Steunen-
berg of Idaho in the witness chair, another dis
play of irritation and i'll temper brought the
participants in the hearing to the verge of per-
sonal insults and blows. AS usual Mr.. Lentz
played a leading role in the exchange of threats
and epithets but he ably seconded by some
of his colleagues and by Idaho attorney,
who was Unexpectedly drawn into the fray.
Mr.. Lentz asserted that some of the State
deputies were living with disreputable women.
Mr. Cheney the attorney of the State of Idaho,
protested saying: Il hurl back at you that
statement The deputies reputable men"
Mr. Lentz resented the interference of private
counsel and, addressing the attorney, said:
You ought TO be kicked out of the window, and
you would be if you had not the majority of
this committee behind you"
When Mr.. LentZ attempted to read from
previous testimony concerning the improper con-
duct of deputies, Chairman Hull overruled him.
This further nettled Mr.. Lentz and addressing
Mr. Hull he exclaimed: Il want to say in your
teeth that if you a party TO protecting this
attorney in a lie you are party to it."
Hull oTf ora6
that Mr.. Lentz had insuted the committee and
its members far he could, and it would
have be stopped.
Representative Hay, of Virginia, to say
that the attorney had better not give the lie to
him, and Representative Cox, of Tennessee,
added, IF any man insults me I'll hit him."
Mr.. Lentz asked the chairman why he did not
call the attorney to order.
He was out of order-entirely out of order"
said MIR. Hull emphatic
Mr. Cox said that when the attorney accused
a member of the commtte of falsehood he for
feited his right to appear. IF he says that TO
window"
Representative Jett, of Illinois, said that as a
means of protecting the committee he would
move that the attorney be expelled from the
committee room. Several members were on their
feet trying to secure recognition when Mr.. Jet
made his motion.
Before taking action. the committee gave Mr.
Cheney opportunity to be heard. He ex-
planned that he did not intend to say that Mr.
Lentz had told falsehood, but simply to deny
the statement that the Idaho deputies lived with
disreputable women. He apologiZed for any
misapprehension
Mr. Cox remarked that man must either
fight apologize in such case, and the
apology settled it.
Mr.. Jett withdrew his motion for expulsion.
While the members were separating after ad-
tournment Chairman Hull said to Mr. Lentz
that the latters personal attacks him had
gone far they could and If they were re-
newed the room will not be big enough to hold
both"
Mr.. LentZ replied that he would take care
of himself. The intense feeling aroused was
manifest long after the proceedings closed