The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-01
Demands That Assertion That
He Had Made an "Unwar-
ranted Attack" on Solicitor
Penfield be Retracted.
Beveridge Has Nothing to Take
Back and Bailey Makes At
tack While the Indianian is
Seated in a Chair.
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEY.


time this session a prize
fight was pulled off On the floor of the
United States senate, Tillman and
McLaurin of South Carolina giving
way to Bailey of Texas and beveridge
of Indiana.
Near the close of an exciting debate
between the Texand and the In
dianian in which the latter said that
Bailey had made an unwarranted
statement and intimated that he had
libelled an officer of the government,
Bailey demanded that the Indiana
senator retract his' words. This Mr..
Beveridge declined to do. After ad-
journment Bailey walked over to the
Repupncan side. again requested Mr..
Beveridge to withdraw the offending
words, and upon meeting with re-
fusal proceeded to physically resent
Beveridge's allegations by choking the
Indianian. The prompt arrival of
the Senate emRloyee and several MEM
bers saved Mr.. Eeyfidge.
This is the first Zine in the long and
honorable Congressional career Of sena-
tor Bailey that he has lost his head to
the extent of engaging In a personal en-
counter. Senator Beveridge of In1iana,
however, sorely irritated him, as IIever-
idge only can irritate.
WASP" of the Senate.
Beveridge is virtually 1.-The wasp of
the Senate and Senator Pettus is about
the only man who ever cleaned hih up
in debate. Senator Beveridge made no
effort to resent the attack of Mr. Bailey
today. In fact the two senators were
separated so quickly that there was no
time for an exchange of blows.
From what can be learned, however.
Senator Beveridge would not have
fought. Several days after the Tillman-
McLaurin fight Senator Beveridge was
discussing the incident with a party Of
gentlemen.
81 think" said he. II could have re-
strained myself had l been in Tillmans 8
place. A number of years ago l got into
fight in Ptttsburg, and 1 made up my
mind then that 1 would never engage
in another physical encounter
heated controversy over a statement
by Senator Beveridge had said that
Senator Bailey had made an "unwar-
ranted attack on Solicitor Penfield of
the State Department.
Beveridge Was Smoking.
In executive session Senator Beveridge
like other senators who smoke, lighted a
cigar and took a seat on the Republican
side. He was still sitting there when the
Senate adjourned. Senator Bailey crossed
the aisle and walked through the seats
until he was facing Senator Beveridge
"Beveridge," he said, II don't want to
have any trouble with you, but l want
you to withdraw those words which
charge me with making an unwarranted
attack upon Penfield."
Il did not intend to insult you." replied
Senator Beveridge, land there is nothing
In my language that you could consider
offensive"
IT don't allow any one to say that 1
libel man, and that is what you do in
making the charge. Now, IL you wont
withdraw the words when ask you, I'm
going to make you withdraw them
Balley's Anger Increased.
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 immediate-
ly in front of Senator Beveridge, the lat
ter In his reply to Senator Bailey's last
remark, still remaining in his chair said:
II repeat that l did not intend to insult
and that I have nothing to retract'
AS the words were uttered Senator
Bailey threw himself upon Senator Bev-
eridge. 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. Beveridge was sitting was
pushed back against a desk and the desk
was toppled over. Before the assault
could go any further Senator's who had
teen sitting near moved up between the
desks. Senator Hansbrough of North
Dakota seized Senator 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 Senators were able to drag
him away from Senator Beveridge and
when they succeeded part of the Indi-
ana Senator's neckwear vas ripped an
torn away In the vigorous grasp of Sena-
tor Bailey.
Tried to Free Himself.
Senator Bacon of Georgia and Barney
Layton, assistant doorKeeper, came
quickly forward and assisted in pulling
the Texas Senator further away, Sem
ator Bailey struggling to get free
and lunging toward Senator Beveridge
AS he was removed a little distance he
was heard to utter something that
sounded like a threat about killing
without further effort, however, he
walked away when Senator Bacon urged
him to be quiet and led him toward the
Democratic side. Senator Bacon engaged
Senator Bailney In conversation for some
time, advising him to cool down. senator