The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-01
etraction Demanded by the Texas Senator, Which Mr..
Beveridge Declined to Make-Statements of
the Principals and Eyewitnesses.
1 70 II. Indisnapoli. Journal.

10 the indianapolis Journal
sHINGTON, June 9O.-The youngest
States senator this afternoon
in the Senate chamber the next
est member of that body. Senator
at the close OF the session of the
this evening went 10 Senator Bev-
who was waiting in the chamber,
sked him 10 withdraw some remarks
the Indiana senator had uttered in
tie this afternoon. This meant that the
arks were not to be printed in the rec
of the proceedings of the Senate. Sen
or Beveridge declined to do this and was
|olentIy assaulted By the Texan. Senator
Bauey asserts that he took Senator Bev-
eridge by the lapels of his coat and shook
him. saying he would force him to retract.
Senator Beveridge says the Texas senator
struck at him, but did not hit him.
The assault was deliberately made and
coolly received The Texas senator was
not excited, acting throughout with great
deIiberation. After it was over he re-
marked to Senator Spooner and Assistant
Sergeant-at-arms Layton, who were trying
10 restrain him, that he wanted 10 slap his
face. He said he was not excited and knew
what he was doing. He was as cool as
when delivering a speech in the Senate. and
no one is more self-possessed than the
young senator from the Lone Star State.
Senator Beveridge was smoking a cigar
at the time he was rushed on and continued
TO smoke without changing muscle.
MR.. BAILEY'S STATEMENT.
In discussing the assault at the Riggs
Hotel this evening Senator Bailey said he
choked the senator from Indiana because
he felt that he had been insulted. He die
tated the following statement:
while. Of course, 1 regret the necessity
for the occurrence. do not regret the oc-
currence itself, because under my view OF
the matter. no other course was open to
me- When the first offensive statement
was made l very politely asked that it
should be Withdrawn. Instead Of with
drawing it. the reply was made that If
withdrew what 1 had said about others.
! the offensive statement about me would be
withdrawn. This proposition in itself ad-
rnitted the offensive character of the state
ment and the subsequent disclaimer OF an
intention to insult me could hardly have
been accepted. 1 very clearly indicated
what intended TO do and nobody had any
right to be surprised at what happened.
The practice Of assailing officers of the
government is not habitual with me. and
j never have anything TO say against them
except when 1 feel that the facts fully
justify IL. / recognize the right OF any
personal or political friend of the officer
whose conduct is called in question to
defend him. but ! Go not recognize the
right of any senator to insult a colleague
in making a defense Of his personal or
political friends. 1 am as averse to per-
sonal encounters any man ought 70 be.
but my friends will hardly expect me 10
allow myself 10 be insuIted 1 tried my
Utmost 10 avert the necessity for the affair
both while the Senate was in session and
after it adjourned. and only proceeded TO
the extreme after fat refusal to with
|. draw the offensive language"
MR.. BEVERIDGE'S VERSION.
Senator Beveridge said this evening that
OF Senator Bailey than for any other rea-
son. He said he always had held the SEN
ator from Texas in the highest esteem. and
although they dinered politically. they had
been personally good friends He refused
70 make statement. but his version of the
affair was secured Ii is:
I'm the debate this afternoon when SEN
ator Bailey. Of Texas. presented a resolu-
tlon calling for certain information from
the State Department concerning Powell
Clayton. ambassador to Mexico, he severely
criticised the conduct OF Judge Penield.
solicitor for the State Department He said
Penfeld was arrogant in suppressing in
formation ana using more than proper
power ia protecting the diplomat. The in
formation sought was concerning Clayton's
condition Wit. mining interests I'm Mexico
DIR. Bailey said Of Mr. Penheld: HIs action