Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21
INF on the floor Instantly Potter, OF wis

out on the floor. Instantly Potter, OF Wis
consin and Washburn, and others TOOK a
hand Potter struck Davis with one hand
and BarksdaIe. OF Mississippi with the
other Barksdale had been acting as
peacenaker. and was trying to separate
the combatants, but it seems that ne vas
the prototype of Happy Holligan, as he
got the worst of the whole matter
BarlssdaIe thought Elihu Washburn had
struck the blow. and asked him if he had
done so. Washburn said he had not
you are liar shouted Washourn,
1oosine Grow, and making for Washburn
Cadwallader Washburn, coming up, ana
seeing his brother and Barksdale III d
clinch, hit the latter blow on the Iore-
head, which, knocked his wig off. Barhs-
dale, in his haste to restore his appear
ance to its normal aspect, got his wig on
fore side aft
Lrdicrous Picture.
This made him a Iudicrous spectacle.
The sergeant-at-arms restored eulet' siiio
BarksdaIe blushed to his ears when ne
discovered the position of his wig Spit
toons. ink wells, and lots 81 other artl-
cles were pressed into service CoVode, OF
PENNSYLVANIA, had q cuspidor IN his mana
and declared he would throw it at the
first man who drew "a weapon
After it was all over. Mr. Foster adj
dressed the House as follows: i would
INQUIRE if it would be in order to take any
steps to employ a photographer or other
competent artist to perpetuate the scene
This ended the fight, but the hiibuster
continued until $50 o'clock next morning,
when, after thirty-hve motions TO adjourn
had been put TO a roll call vote, the House
did adjourn
Apologies.
The House took no cogntzance of the
fight as the Senate did in the Tilinlan-
McLaurin episode, but on the following
Monday. Keitt and Grow apologized as
follows:
Mr.. Keitt: .Mr. Speaker. The House
will! remember that it's proceedings during
the session Of Friday were broken by an
UNPLEASANT incident. 1t IS due to lar
dealing that l should assume upon m4selr
all the responsibility for the act involving
violation OF its order. its dignity, and
its decorur. I was the aggressor. and
whatever responsibility attaches TO the
act properly belongs to me alone It
was however, unusual. accidental. and
sudden. It is also due to justice that |
should make whatever of reparatlon IS IN
nv power to the dignity and decorum or
the House thus violated. | do that IN the
expression of my profound regret at the
occurrence Personal collisions are al
WAYS unpleasant. seldom excusable. rare
" iusrifia ble-never in a iegisla tive body
In this connection l have but one remark
to make, and that is. if any slur was di-
rected at me, am not conscious or IL
am at least utterly unconscious OF having
received any. With this explanation, |
part from the subject
Mr.. Grow: Mr.. Speaker. I have been
taught from my childhood that all fights
among men are dsgraceful TO human ma
ture and to a Christian community. and
especially when they occur among the
lawmakers OF people, in the midst Of
their deliberations. The judgment OF my
ripper years has fully satisfied me that my
education in this respect. at least, has
been good ard true. Yet the right OF self
defence I recognize as one OF the. inaiien-
able rights Of man. to be exercised on all
occa sions and under all circumstances,
where it is necessary to protect LIE or
person At the last sitting OF this House
I found myself Unexpectedly engaged. for
the first time in my life, in a personal
conflict To the House l tender most
cheerful!y whatever OF apology is due for
this violation OF it's order and decorum.
No man can regret more than | do that
there should have been any occasion for
a violation of either.