The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-04

Washington, June 3O.-Hot words
passed between Senator Bailey, OF
Texas and Senator Beverage, of Indi-
ana, on III floor of the senate and af-
ter adjournment were followed up by
a physical assault by the Texas senator
on the senator from Indiana. Senator
Bailey criticised the state department
for its handling of the case of an Amer
lean citizen DIR. Scott and reflected on
the competency of Judge Penfield, solic-
itor of the department. Senator Bever-
idge characterized the words of the
Texa senator as an "unwarranted at
tack" This Characterization, Senator
Bailey regarded as an insult and de-
manded that the Indiana senator with
draw words.
Senator Beverage declined to with
draw them, unless Senator Bailey first
withdraw his language in respect to
Solicitor Penfield, although he disclaim-
ed any intention of insulting Senator
Bailey.
The trouble grew out of a resolution
offered by Senator Bailey calling for
the papers in a Mexican mining case
in which. he maintained, DR.. Scott had
been unfairly treated, not only by the
Mexican courts, but also by the Ameri-
a ambassador, Mr.. Clayton, and the
officials of the state department. Sena-
tor Bailey declared Ambassador Clay
ton was either incompetent or dishon-
est and his remarks led to some tart
rejoinders.
Senator Bailey related the facts of
the case, saying that he should be in
terested in it for a long time. He said
he had encountered such delay infur-
nishing information by the state de-
partment as had forced him to conclude
that the officials of the department were
either grossly incompetent or shame
fully Indifferent to the rights of an
American citizen in a foreign and"
DIR. Scott, an American citizen, having
had his rights denied by a Mexican
court, had appealed to our ambassador
to Mexico. who had advised him to leave
Mexico. An appeal was made directly
to the state department and the effort
to get relief, had been. Senator Bailey
said, in vain.
Senator Bailey declared, he himself.
had been unable to obtain the papers
his resolution called for.
If" he asserted, one half of what
has been represented to me is true, then
4 d pLSoShI PdpC1o ~ HIS TIC
which will compel the recall of the
ambassador to Mexico and
the retirement of the solicitor of the
department."
The Texas senator declared that the
ambassador to Mexico him
self was connected with a mining opera
ton linked with the claim of DR.. Scott
when he said. in response to an inquiry
Senator BeVeridge, of Indiana, that
he had been informed at the state de-
that whatever action the
American ambassador had taken had
been with 4 view to the best interests
OF all concerned.
Senator Fairbanks, of Indiana, Sena-
tor Patterson. of Colorado, and Senator
Hama, defended Ambassador Clayton.
The latter said an attempt was being
ter OF Ambassador Clayton. He had
been connected with a mining company
in Mexico merely as the representative
a relative who held stock in the cor
poration.
Senator Bailey asserted hat a petit
ton had been presented to the Presf-
dent by Americans in Mexico praying
the recall of American Ambassador
because "he a been recreant
to his high duty" in protecting their in
terests from the injustice of Mexican
Senator Bailey maintained that the
American ambassador, as indicated by
the papers in the case, was either dis
honest or incompetent. In either case
the United States ought to be represent
ed at the Mexican capital by a man
whose brain and conscience both were
capable of the highest service"
Senator Beveridge declared that Sem
ator Bailey had attacked Judge Penfield
by innuendo and ~insinuation, and that
innuendo n i~nsinuation had extended
to the ambassador to Mexico and to the
secretary of state himself. He charac-
terrier Senator Bailey'S reference to
Solicitor Penfield as an "unwarranted
attack"
To this Senator Bailey took sharp eX-
ception and he urged that Senator Bev-
eridge withdraw that i~nsinuation."
Il make no insinuation," retorted Sem
ator Beveridge. If the senator will
withdraw his words about a high OIL
cial of the state department / will be
very glad, indeed, to withdraw mine
The assertion" said Senator Bailey
holly, that I have made an unwar-
attack upon a man whom the
senator describes as being as honorable
myself, / want to say now, Is so OF
that it is deserving only OF such
a reply as the rules of the senate Will
not permit me TO make mere. NeitLei
the senator from Indiana nor any other
can insult me n then require me
to withdraw what I have said in the
performance of my duty before he with
travis his insulting words"
Senator Beveridge declined to with
his words, saying that Senator
was entirely too sensitive II
knows very WELL" said Senator Bever-
referring to Senator Bailey" that
the words aunwarranted attack were
not an insult and o intended to be.
The senator from Texas employed ex-
traordinary and even potent language
concerning the solicitor OF the state de-
The senator is not insulted." he de-
but only too sensitive"
In a later colloquy, Senator BalIey
said:
st can fathom the intelligence OF
every man in this chamber except that
he senator from Indiana"
az am glad to know" retorted senator
that you are beyond your