The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-04-05
EXCITING Scene
IN The HOUSE.
Over Discussion Of Ken
lucky Situation.
sHARPDUELOF WORDS.
Between Representatives Of the Blue
grass State.
THE GOEBEL ELECTION LAW.
1t Was Denounced as Putting 4 Pre-
minm on Crime and Giving an In
yitation to BIoodsIlcu-The Ha-
waiian Bill Was Under
Consideration Durin.
tho Day
DUELOF WORDS
HE GoEBEL ELECTION LAW.

WASHINGTON. April 4.-There was an
exciting scene in the House to-day as
the climax of a discussion Of the Ken
lucky situation when Mr.. Wheeler,
Kentucky Democrat, and Mr.. Pugh.
Kentucky Republican, faced each other
from opposite 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 disclaimer of Alr. Pugh.
There was an air of suppressed excite
ment throughout the debate It was the
first time the subject had been broacned
in the House, and intense interest was
manifested. The fencing was sharp and
brilliant. Without preliminary business
the House resumed consideration of the
Hawaiian bill
Mr.. Mcdowell, OF Ohio. one Of the origi-
nal opponents of Hawaiian annexation,
was the first speaker. He inveiShed
ton influence there. The passage by the
Senate of the Porto Rican bill was an
nounced. and the measure was immediate
IL referred to the Ways and Means COM
mittee.
Mr. DeArmond criticised the labor con-
ditions and the section extending the Con-
stitution to the islands as far as applica-
ble saying the Constitution was there
of its own vigor.
KENTUCKY SITUATION.
Mr.. Boreing. of Kentucky, who followed
with a general political speech. aroused
general interest by discussing the Ken
,ucky situation. Holding the light OF civ
ilization before the world the United
States were doing. were we, he asked,
willing to see the torch of liberty eNtin
grlished al the birthplace of Abraham
Lincoln and the home Of Henry Clay SO
far as the Goebel election law of that
State was concerned, ne said, the people
of Kentucky would be glad to exchange
places with Porto Rico Hawaii. They
were not asking for Federal Interference;
they We're asking for a fair election law.
He gave notice that if necessary TO get
rid OF the Goebel law lie would ask for
the passage of the Federal election law.
IT will not appeal or behalf of the
colored race or Of the Republican party,
said he, .but for 4 general election law
which will enable the Federal courts to
reach out and determine the validity and
constitutionality of the election laws OF
the several States
Mr.. Wheeler of Kentucky, replied in
a fiery speech. He admitted that the
situation was humiliating to every Ken
tuckian, but had hoped that it would
not be ventilated here. He. eulogized
the Goebel election law. He would not
contend that the dominant party had not
taken advantage of its power in dis
tricting the State. 1t had done SO, fol-
lowing the tactics of the dominant party
in most OF the States. The threat OF
| Federal election law, he said, was used
| to terrorize the Democrats.
MUST BE REPEALED.
| Mr.. Borcing disclaimed any intention
Of threatening the Democrats, but the
| law must be repealed.
"It" will never be repealed" ratorted
! Mr.. Wheeler.
Continuing. Mr.. Wheeler said that "all
! the fuss was being kicked up in Ken
| tucky by fellows who were trying 10
| hold office in defiance of the courts,
| whose mandates they refused to obey.
| Mr.. Wheeler then became involved In
! the controversy with Mr. Push.
THE election commission did not de-
| clare TAYLOR Governor. of Kentucky,
| said Mr. Wheeler. .!They said that on
the face Of the returns he had the ma
| jority 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 Legislature did,
"I do know that some of them trlen
| Ia nave the way. for the contest, re-
piled Mr.. Pugh, hotly. that Was AFTER
wards wased on partisan lines III the
! legislature, to the disgrace of our Com
| monwealth. and to the disgrace of You
as citizen thereof" applause on the
! Republican side
as that the gentleman's opinion? re-
| tor1ed Mr.. Wheeler. sarcastically
n would rather be disgracea. Mr..
chairman. at any time by taking my:
| lot with the Democrats of Kentucky than
! to be identified with the men who took
! the life of Governor Goebel. of that
/ State'' (Applause on the Democratic
| side.) "
/ fare you quite certain that the men
! who took the life of Goebel could not
| be carried back to your own ranks.
/ rather than to the Republican party in
/ ISentucky?', asked Mr.. Pugh, livid with
excitement, amid derisive laughter on the
/ Democratic side.
| ..Sobody believes that" shouted some
/ one on the Democratic side.
! ..Ico YOU say nobody believes that?'s
! asked Mr.. Pugh, facing the Democratic
/ side 'IVas not a more bitter contest
waced against Mr. Goebel in that State
nv his own party than was waged in the
| Republican ranks? Was he not denounced
/ more from every stump In the State of
= kentucky by Democrat IS than by Republi-
cans? 2"
Mt. Wheeler: '.Tha is true Mr. Chair