The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-06

Representative Li;tlefeld engaged Rep
rcsentative Hopkins in a fierce verbal
duel On the floor Of the House yesterday.
II was the most savage and sensational
encounter of the session. The disputauts
were bitter and angry and their manner
toward each other threatening at times.
There was disorder in the House, which
the Speaker pro tempore could not sup
press. MIR. Littlefield had a grievance
against MIR. Hopkins and the member
from Maine poured upon the member from
Illinois torrent of sarcasm and invec-
tive at times scalding and withering, and
at times bruising and crushing. MIR. Hop
kins finally retired from the fray. or as
the friends of Mr. Littleheld put it, he
sought safety in silence
The subject under discussion was that
of the reapportionment of the representa-
tion of the States Mr. Hopkins had call
ed up the bill reported by him and rep
resenting the views Of the majority of
the Committee on the Census. This bill
provides for a reduction in the represen-
tation of the State of Maine by one. and
there is a report in circulation at The
Capitol that Mr.. Hopkins and other Ad-
miniStration men in the House rad in
mind the elimination Of Mr.. Iittleheld
when the bill WAS framed. as a punish
ment for mis- (Er Littlcfeld'sD attitude IN
the Porto Rico tariff and ether party prop
ositions Of the Republicans.
When the House had been called TO Cr-
der by Alexander Mcdowell Clerk. aud
the routine disposed of. Mr. Liulefield was
recognized in opposition 20 the Hopkins
bill and in favor of the Burleigh bill.
which had been reported by minority
of the CoiAlittee on the Census a sub
stitute for the majority bill. Mr. Little
field said in part:
IL hope | may be able to approach the
discussion Of this question upon the basis
that the House is disposed to act fairly.
eQuitably. and justly. II the mild. cOur-
teous. disinterested. and patriotic speech
OF the chairman of this committee | Mr..
Hopkinsl Is any criterion Of the real pur-
poses of this bill. it's tile might well be
changed so that IL might read: An act
10 cripple the State Of Maine in her rep
resentation on the floor Of this House and
incidentally 10 apportion Representatives
in accordance with the number of people
elsewhere
4 am not aware. Mr. Speaker. that the
State of Maine is not entitled to he same
consideration in connection with this
measure that she would be in connection
with any other that might come before
this House. ! do not feel obliged to !
stand here in the opening Of an address |
in connection with this great question. |
the purpose Of which is the support of /
the report Of the minority represented by |
the Burleigh bill, with any suggestion /
like that which the chairman was obliged /
10 make in his speech to the House yes
rerday. when Re stated that the commit 7,
tee had not been able 10 report a biil that /
would do equal and exact justice TO all /
the States. II may well be that The /
chairman Of the committee had so much !
in his mind the purpose, apparently. of
this legislation that he could not prepare
a bill to accomplish that result. The /.
chairman has taken occasion 10 assault F.
the State Of Maine in connection with (
this proposition. His suggestion is that /
the State Of Maine has not increased in /
populate that she is unprogressiye and /
behind the procession.
Il submit that the facts do not warrant I
the assertion OF the gentleman from II Z
linois. The State of Maine has not de (
creased in her population. She has not .
confined her population within the geo .
graphical limits OF the State of Maine;
but the State of Maine during the last few
decades has been growing up throughout
all the States of the Union"
Mr.. Hopkins-The gentleman says | at
tackled Maine yesterday. Did l not state