The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-07-04
FIGHT IN THE SENATE
BAILEY OF TEXAS VIClOUSLY
ATTACKS BEVERIDGE OF
INDIANA.
MEN ARE QUICKLY PARTED

Assault Resulted From Heated Con.
troversy During the Afternoon SEES.
sion-Texan Demanded a Retrac,
ton of Certain Statements by the
J Indianan and the Latter Maintained
He Had Said Nothing to Withdraw.
Washington, July 1.-Senator Bailey
of Texas assaulted Senator Beveridge
of Indiana just after the senate had
adjourned from executive session. The
Texas senator was dragged away and
separated from his opponent by some
of those about the senate. He was
very angry and threatened severe
harm to the Indiana senator.
The episode was the result of a heat
ed controversy which the two senators
had during the afternoon when Sena-
tor Beveridge had said that Senator
Bailey had made IAN unwarranted at
tack" on Solicitor Penrose of the state
department. In executive session
Senator Beverage, like other senators
who smoke, lighted a cigar and took a
seat ON the Republican side. He was
still sitting there when the senate ad-
iourned. Senator Bailey crossed the
aisle and walked through the seats
until he was facing Senator Beverage.
"Beveridge," he said, 81 don't want
to have any trouble with you. but I
want you to withdraw those words
which charge me with making an un-
warranted attack upon Penield."
81 did not intend to insult you," re-
piled Senator Beveridge, land there is
nothing in my language that you could
consider offensive"
II don't allow anyone to say that
libel a man, and that is what you do
in making the charge. Now, if you
won't withdraw the words when ask
you. I'm going to make you withdraw
them" ~
Senator Bailey had been getting
more and more angry and excited as
he talked. He had been sitting down
part of the time, leaning against the
desk Immediately in front of Senator
Beverage. The latter, in reply to
Senator Bailey's last remark, still re-
naming in his chair, said:
81 repeat that did not intend to In
suit you and that have nothing to re-
tract"
AS the words were uttered Senator
Bailey threw himself upon Senator
Beveridge, who Is man hardly up to
the average in physique, and
Seized Him by the Throat
with both hands. The rush was so
sudden and fierce that the chair in
which Mr.. Beverage was sitting was
pushed back against the desk and the
desk was toppled over. Before the as
sault could go any further senators
who had been sitting near had moved
up between the desks. Senator Hans
brough of North Dakota seized SenA-
tor Bailey by one arm and Senator
Spooner seized the other. The Texas
senator is a powerful man and 1t was
with great difficulty that the two sena-
tors were able to drag him away from
Senator Beverage, and when they sue
ceeded part of the Indiana senators
neckwear was ripped and torn away
in the vigorous grasp Of Senator Bal
ley. Senator Bacon Of Georgia and
Barney Layton, assistant doorkeeper,
came quickly forward and assisted in
pulling the Texas senator farther
away. Senator Bailey meanwhile
struggled to get free and again lunged
toward Senator Beverage. AS he was
q second time dragged away he was
heard to utter something that sounded
like threat about killing.
Without further interference, how
ever, he walked away when Senator
Bacon urged him to be quiet and led
him toward the Democratic side. Sen
ator Bacon engaged Senator Bailey in
conversation for some time urging him
to cool down.
Senator Spooner also went across
the aisle and discussed the matter
with the Texas senator, urging him to
apologize and if possible mend matters
at once, but Senator Bailey refused all
such proffers, declaring that Senator
Beveridge had insulted him in the SEN
ate and that he had taken the only
course, as the Indiana senator had re-
fused to withdraw his remarks.
Beverage Expresses Regret.
Senator Beveridge remained in the
chamber for some little time and con-
tinued to smoke his cigar. He re-
marked to those who spoke to him on
the subject that it did not amount to
anything. He made no effort to resist
or resent the attack made on him. In
fact, the whole thing was over in q
very brief interval before resistance
could have been offered.
When Mr.. Beveridge was asked if
he had any statement to make regard
ing the assault committed on him by
Mr.. Bailey, he expressed great regret
over what had occurred and said he
had no personal resentment over the
matter. The conversation between
them Immediately before the trouble,
Mr.. Beveridge said, was substantially
the same as that which occurred in the
senate chamber regarding the attack
on Judge Penfield, who is an Indiana
man, except that on his (Beveridge's)
part it was in much milder tone. Mr..
Beveridge said that he was not ex-
cited, but remained cool and collected
and expressed to Mr.. Bailey his wish
that their relations might continue
agreeable.
Mr.. Beveridge denied that he had
been choked by Mr.. Bailey. According
to his version the Texas senator made
a lunge at him, but his arm was
caught by Senator Spooner before the
threatened blow landed.
The Youth-Yes, I'm in business for
myself. but | don't seem to be able to
meet with any success.
The Sage-Nobody ever meets with
business, young man. He must over
take Philadelphia Press.