New-York tribune., 1902-07-01
SENATORS IN AN AFFRAY


sailing officers of the government is not habitual
with me, and never have anything 10 say
against them except where l feel the facts VIII
fully justify it, l recognize the right of any per-
sonal political friend of the officer whose
conduct is called in question to defend MN; puI
/ do not recognize the right of any Senator 10
insult colleague in making a defence OF his
personal or political friend. | am as averse to
personal encounters as any man ought TO be-
but my friends will hardly expect me to allow
myself to be insulted. 1 tried my utmost to
avoid the necessity for the affair, both while
the Senate in session and after ii ad-
journed. and only proceeded TO extremes after
fat refusal to withdraw the offensive language
WHAT Mr.. BEVERIDGE SAYS.
When MIR. Beveridge was asked tonight If
he had any statement to make regarding the
assault on him by Mr.. Bailey, he expressed
great regret for what hal occurred and said
he had personal resentment over the matter
The conversation between them Immediately be-
fore the trouble. Mr.. Beveridge said, was sub
stantially the same that which had occurred
in the Senate chamber regarding the attack on
Judge Penfeld who is an Indiana man. except
that on Mr. Beveridge's part it much milder
in tone. Mr. Beveridge said he was not ex-
cited, but remained cool and collected. and ex-
pressed to Mr.. Bailey his wish that their rela-
4 tions might continue agreeable. Mr. Beveridge
denied that he had been choked by Mr.. Bailey
According to his version the Texas senator
made lunge at him. hut his arm was caught
by Senator Spooner before the threatened blow
landed
1t cannot yet be told whether or not the Sen
ate will take an official notice of the affray.
Mr.. Beveridges friends are nOn-committal on
this point while Mr. Bailey's contend that 1t is
an affair with which the Senate claim no
right or privilege interfere, since the Senate
was not in session when it occurred At the
same time, it is generally regarded as a re-
grettable occurrence. and one which reflects dis
credit on the Senate. 1t is possible that some
action may be insisted on tomorrow before the
Senate adjourns for the session.
HOW THE TROUBLE BEGAN.
The controversy that provoked the assault was
one of the most exciting incidents OF the closing
days of the session. week ago Mr.. Bailey in
troduced a resolution calling the Secretary
of State to transmit to the Senate all the papers
in the case of BeiIenberg agt Scott, including
all communications sent 10 and received
from the Ambassador of the United States
to Mexico in respect to the affair. He
called up his resolution this afternoon and
severely arraigned Ambassador Clayton for
not protecting the int erests of American citizens
in Mexico and by innuendo charged him with
grave offences. both of direct and indirect
character. Mr.. Bailey was especially severe in
his arraignment OF Judge Penheld the Solicitor
of the State Department. who, by direction of
sador Powell Clayton touching the complaint
made by DR.. Scott concerning the settlement
OF a mining estate left in Mexico by relative
of the Ambassador who died in Colorado few
months ago. In criticising Solicitor Penfed for
not requiring Ambassador Clayton to answer
fully the questions sent 10 him by the state De-
partment. Senator Bailey said that Solicitor
PenheId in his conduct of the had shown
either gross Incompetence or shameful indffer-
ence." He used even harsher language than
this in characterizing Ambassador Clayton's
conduct, and said that. II any of the charges I'm
his possession true. the President should
Immediately recall General Clayton
Mr.. Beveridge frequently Interrupted Mr..
Bailey, and when the Texan reiterated the
charge that he had not been invited 10y either
the President the State Department TO offer
evidence to prove his accusations against Am
bassador Clayton. Mr.. Beverdge kept firing at
him the question as 10 whether or not the
State Department or the President had denied
a hearing to him. Mr. Bailey's reply to the
effect that. although he had offered 10 furnish
this evidence whenever the President the
State Department desired to hear him, the
was closed without Mr.. Bailey having been
asked TO appear with his charges and evidence
to support them.
But were you denied hearng?" Mr. Bev-
eTidge continued TO inquire. much to the annoy
ance of Mr.. Bailey. who finally waved Mr..
Beveridge aside with rather contemptuous
gesture and the declaration that he did not
want to be annoyed further by the Senator from
Indiara."
THE WORDS THAT ANGERED BAILEY.
When Mr. Bailey concluded his arraignment
of Ambassador Clayton. the State Department.
Solicitor Penfeld and the President. Senator
Beveridge got the floor and made a spirited
defence of Judge Penneld, declaring that he
was of the most honorable and capable
men in the public service and deserved better
treatment at the hands of the Texan, who, said
Mr. Beveridge had made IAN unwarranted at
tack" on an upright public servant, leading
citizen of Indiana, who had been appointed TO
office on the recommendation of his colleague.
Senator Fairbanks, and one of the best friends
Mr. Beveridge had.
Mr.. Bailey resented with marked feeling Mr..
Beveridges declaration that he had made "an
unwarranted attack" and demanded that Mr..
Beveridge retTact II.
II make insinuaton." retorted Mr.. Bev-
eridge IF the Senator will withdraw his words
about high official Of the State Department. 1
will be very glad indeed to withdraw mine"
The assertion" said Mr.. Bailey hotly. that l
have made an unwarranted attack upon man
whom the Senator describes being honor
able as myself ! want to say now is often
sive that it is deserving only Of such reply
as the rules of. the Senate will not permit me
to make here. Neither the Senator from
Indiana any other man can insult me. and
require to withdraw what l have said in
the performance of my duty before he with
draws his insulting remarks"
Mr.. Beveridge declined to withdraw his words,
saying that Mr.. Bailey entirely too sens-
tive. He knows very we'll said Mr.. Bev-
eridge that the words -'unwarranted attack
not insult and not intended to he. The
Senator from Texas employed extraordinarily
violent language concerning the solicitor of the
State Department. The Senator is not insulted,
but only sensitive
In a later colloauy Mr. Bailey said: II can
fathom the intelligence of every man in this
chamber except that of the Senator from Ind
lana"
II am glad to know" retorted Mr.. Beveridge
that you are beyond your depth"