The age-herald., 1900-04-05
EXCITING DAY
 IN THE HOUSE Kentucky Members Spoke of the
 Recent Troubles, PUGH MADE SERIOUS CHARGE Accused Wheeler of Misrepre-
 senting the Fact. ATTRACTED HIS STATEMENTS 1 He Said the Goebel Election Law Would Remain on Statute Books as Monument to the Dead Leader
ATTRACTED HIS STATEMENTS

Washing ton, Apfil 4.-Inere was an eX- citing scene in the house today the cli- max of a discussion of the Kentucky situ- ation between Mr. Wheeler, a Kentucky democrat, and MT. Pugh Kentucky re- publican, who faced each other from oppO- site sides of the main aisle and indulged in a wordy duel. Mr. Pugh charged Mir. Wheeler with misrepreseatng certain facts. He was laboring under great ex- citement MT. Wheeler showed admirable temper, and though quick to resent the fanced insult awaited the explanation of MT. Pugh, in which he discaimed any in- tention of imputing to him personally a desire to distort the facts. Throughout the debate, which was preclpitated by a speech of Mr. Boreing, the other repuoll- can member from Kentucky, there was an ar of suppressed excitement. It was the first time the subject had been preached in the house. and intense interest was man. ifested.
 MT. Lacey of Iowa concluded the debate with general denunciation of the Goeloel election law. This incident overshadowed the other speeches today the Hawaiian bill. which the regular order.
 MT. Mcdowell of Ohio, a member of the committee on territories, was the first speaker. He approved some of the feat ures of the bill, but was severe in his con- demnation of the tenth section, which woulJ colt,nus in force the labor contracts made with imported Chinese and Japanese.
 MT. Dearmond believed the bill would al- low all the Chinese and Japanese in tho islands free entry into the United States. He also denounced that section of the ball which extended the consideration to the islands as far practicable. He took the ground that the constitution was there of its own vigor.
 The Kentucky Situation
 Mir Boreing, republican of Kentucky, aroused general interest by discussing the Kentucky situation. Holding the light of civilization before the world as the United States was doing were we, he asked, will ing to see the fires of liberty extfnguished at the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and the home of Henry Clay? It was with no spirit of acrimony, he said, that he re- ferred to the situation in Kentucky. 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 Ponto Rico or Hawai-. They were not asking for federal interference-they were asking simply for fair election law.
 
 of the manner in which he said the election law operated to the disadvantage of the republicans of the state He said that the clause of the constitution, which guaran- teed to each state a republican form of gov ernment was a dead letter in Kentucky. If each state was sovereign, then he admit ted that each state must work out its own salvation. In conclusion, he gave notice to the country that if it was necessary to get rid of the Goebel law he would ask for the passage of a federal election law. 'T will not appeal on behalf of the colored race or of the republican party in Kentucky" said he, but for a general election law which will enable the federal courts to reach out and determine the validity and constitu- tionality of the election laws of the several states"
 Drew Fire From Wheeler
 MT. Boering's speech drew the fire of MT. Wheeler of Kentucky, who replied to him in a fiery speech. He had sincerely hoped, he said, that the Kentucky situation would not be brought to the attention of congress. He admitted that the situation was humil- iating to every Kentuckian, but had hoped that it would not be ventilated here. Pro- ceeding, he euogized the Goebel 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 law-abidng citizen to bow. He would not contend that the dominant party had not taken advantage of its power in districtng the state. It had done following the tactics of the dominant party in most of the other states.
 Why, he asked, had the gentleman from Kentucky threatened the democrats of Ken lucky with a federal election law? Why threaten? Surely if federal election law were to be enacted 1t would be fair.
 Mr Boering dscIaimed any intention of threatening the democrats. But the law must be repealed. Tt will never be re- pealed," said MT. Wheeler, turning to Mr. Boering. "If you come ioack to congress, you will come back under It. It is there to stay. I will print it in the Record, that the people may see their maligned and traduced law which Is similar to the law in other states. Some of its provisions are identical with the constitution of Ohio.'
 Ohceholders to Blame
 Continuing, MT. Wheeler said that "all the fights being kicked up in Kentucky were by fellows who were trying to hold office in defiance of the courts whose man. dates they refused 10 obey"
 He challenged MT. Boering and Mr. Pugh to point out a single instance of fraud or roscaity under the Goebel election law.
 MT. Boering cited the case of the city of 
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