Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-07-01
SCENE IN Observation-Disclosures

SCENE IN THESENATE CHAMBER
SENATOR BAILEY ASSAULTS SENATOR
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. sP0oNER AMI
sERGEANT-AT-ARNs DRAGs THE TEX
AN AWAY.
The closing hours of the session Of
Congress we're enlivened in the Senate
Yesterday afternoon by personal attack
made by Senator Bailey Of Texas upon
Senator Beveridge of Indiana.
No blows were struck yesterday, but
according to the attacking Senator, he
first threatened to kill his colleague
from Indiana and then choked him
fiercely until dragged away by Senator
Spooner of Wisconsin and the Sergeant
alarms of the Senate. According to
Mr. Spooner, AIr. Beveridge was not
choked at all, and The Senator from
Texas did not lay his hand upon him.
There is direct conflict Of testimony,
therefore as to whether any choking
took place.
The Senate .had adjourned when the
affair took place, but the doors had n,
been opened after the executive session.
Nearly all Of the Senators had LETT the
chamber and The only ones who witness
ed the affair in addition TO Messrs.
Bailey and Beveridge were Messrs.
Spooner, Hanna, KittTedge, McComas,
and Sergeant-at-Arms Randsdel,. Ac-
cording to Mr.. Bailey's statement, made
after he had left the building,
he walked over TO the republican side OF
the chamber where Mr.. Beveridge was
seated talking to Senator's Hanna anJ
Spooner. demanded that Mr.. Beyeridge
Withdraw statement made in the de-
bate in open Session that the reflections
upon Solicitor Peniield, of the State De
partment, were umwarranted. Upon his
refusal Mr. Bailey lost his temper, ex-
claiming, 'TH kill you" and then
grabbing Senator Beveridge by the
throat choked him until dragged away
by Senator Spooner and the sergeant-at-
arms. He then retired to the demo
cra.ic cloak room, and a little later left
the building.
According to the statement of Senator
Spooner, corroborated by the other Sena-
tors present. Senator Bailey did not lay
hand upon his Indiana colleague, but
what took place they say is this:
Senator Bailey went over to the char
where Senator Beyeridge was sitting and
demanded that he withdraw his state
ment that his criticisms of Judge Pen
field were unwarranted, saying he had
given him an opportunity to do so dur
inc the debate, and that now he gave
him another Senator Beveridge, without
rising. said in the best natIred possible
tone to Bailey: "Why, my dear fellow
| can't do that My remark was IN nc
sense offensive and was not intended tC
be so. Aud | could not withdraw il
without inferentially indorsing youI
statement as to Penfeld."
Mr.. Bailey demanded that the remark
be Withdrawn, and again Mr.. Beveridge'
with continued good nature, declined.
The Texas Senator thereupon drew
hack as if to attack Mr.. Beyeridge,
When Mr.. Spooner pushed him away
SAYING, "Why, Bailey, this Is foolish,
There Is no cause for a row. You arr
entirely in the wrong"
A slight scufile ensued, and desi
was twisted out of place and more o.
less demolished. Mr.. Bailey was finally
persuaded to leave. As he did so III
said to Mr.. Spooner, who is about . fee
T. while Bailey is in the neighborhoot
of feet. "Well, | never would have
thought you had such grip as that
SpOoner. !" r.
Senator Beveridgc would make no dir
rect statement last evening.
Senator Bailey, however, seems to re
gard the matter very seriously. lie con
siders Mr.. Beveridge's characterization
of his statement about Mr.. Peniield a
"unwarranted," and to be reflection
ON his varacity and honor which, If no
withdrawn, should be resented forcibly
There was no course open to him, h
said. but the one he pursued, and adde
that he had not intended choking tn
Indiana Senator when he first crosse
| tbe chamber TO talk to him, but had
! in mind merely to slap his face If he pei
sisted in his statement He had bee
50 enraged, however, by Senator Bey'
ridges refusal to withdraw the remark
50 offensive to him that he had torgotte
his purpose. u
Upon being approached he said:
was grossly insulted by Senator Bey'
ridge. repeatedly asked him to will
draw his words, but he refused.
"After the Senate adjourned walte'
,.-;;ntending to follow him to his committ'
I nom and demand an apology there.
oHe did not leave the Senate chambe
however, and | was forced to meet hi
there"
Mr.. Bailey was asked if he had threa
ened to kill Mr.. Beveridge as he clutcl
ed at his throat.
81 do not know. / do not rememb
what | said"
The trouble originated in Mr.. Ban,
criticising the State Department for
handling of the case of All Amerlcs
citizen, DR.. Scott, and reflected on Il
competency of Judge Penfeld, solicit
of the department. Mr. Beverid
characterized the words of the Texas Sc
ator as an ''unwarranted attack" I'll
Characterization, Mr. Bailey regarded