Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-08

THE OTTUMW
body to fritter away the last afternoon
but one of the session in absolutely in
consequential rot. Less material or
important matter to drag into the sen
ate can hardly be conceived than that
under discussion that afternoon and
over which Bailey worked himself into
a towering rage.
Senate's Methods Anticipated.
1t was a matter of no public concern
whatever. Bailey had, he claimed
been denied access to a certain paper
in the state department He chose to
air his grievances in the United States
senate. The unwritten rule labeled
Senatorial courtesy" permitted him to
do so. The house may be rule-ridden
and lack deliberativeness, but mem
Der thereof could not waste half day
in fact whole legislative day-in
exhibiting his own personal griev-
ances. He could not have obtained a
minute in the house
Bailey FeIls the Iron.
So the long afternoon was consumed
in this desultory sparring between
Bailey and Beveridge, with Senator
Fairbanks occasionally dipping in.
Beverage is rather sensitive and Bail
ey Is evidently provided with tissue
paper skin. Beveridge stretched the
rule of senatorial courtesy in his re-
marks. He defended the state official
and incidentally ran the stiletto into
Bailey. Bailey felt it and retaliated.
Thus the afternoon dragged along;
first one digging the other and then
being stabbed with sarcasm. The lat
ter part Of the controversy was over
the use of the words "unwarranted ac-
cusation." Bailey couldn't get his
equilibrium after that. Nobody else
in the senate thought anything of it
The words did not receive even pass
ing attention until Bailey began to wall
about having been insulted Then
Beveridge wanted to know how he had
insulted Bailey.
Getting Warmer.
That proposition had to be gone ov
er until it was frayed before Bailey
was satisfied and then he was not
content. Finally Beverage said he
meant just what he said: That there
had been no warrant in fact for Bail
eys charges. but assured the Texan
that he had no thought or intent tc
: insult him and reiterated this assur
ance.
Bailey Losing His Temper.
4 However, all this time Bailey was
getting paler and talking more slowly
Beveridge repeated his claim and de
Int int IF Dot lo,
and then the latter made break fol
the 1.-THE Indianian
i Startling Denoucment.
The assault was so unexpected and
startling that on the instant no ono
was prepared to interfere. 1t is for
tunate that couple of seats separat
ed the victim from ais assailant other
wise Bailey would undoubtedly have
got hold of Beveridga and would pro
badly have done him great harm.
Senate chaarined.
The senators are very much cha
grined over this latest outbreak an6
eXemplification of senatorial courtesy
The Tillman-M cLaurin fiasco was
; severe jolt, but that was rather ex
pected and the events just prior to the
. attack from certain points of view jus
J Titled the attack and the counter at
; tack. But here was a case of tw,
| senators indulging in a prolonged pia,
of words during which the stronges
language employed ~ould not be re
garded as of character to even MAJ
1 friendly relations, to say nothing OF
Heading up to a threat to kill.
1t is quite likely that at the com
mencement Of the next session some
action will be taken with view tc
making impossible occurrences of sucl
scenes in the senate. The senate
loves it to itself to do this very thIne
if it desires to escape the odium thai
attaches common beer garden per
formances.
Meservey Story Myth.
The reports that S. T. Meservey will
succeed Hon. Geo. E. Roberts as di
rector of the mint have substantial
foundation only in the mind of news
paper correspondents. In Washing
ton the matter has been given no at
tentlon whatever. Mr.. Roberts ha.
not resigned nor indicated that ne
proposes to resign even in the neal
future. The President does not de
sire that he should resign He has
come to recognize the particular fit
ness of Mr.. Roberts for the position
he now holds and Goes not wish tt
weaken the service by the appoint
ment of another man.
If Mr.. Roberts shall eventually re
sign, which is quite likely sometim,
before January, and it Is not impossi
Bile that an effort may be made to re
tain the position for an Iowa man. II
this event, should Mr. Meservey de
sire the position Senator Dolliye
would use his influence to secure /
for him. However, it may be stated
with assurance that the matter will
not be taken up by the President TO
several months. Frank ]. Stillman
ADVERTISED LETTERS.
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