The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-14
Witty MissOurian Crosses Swords With GrOsVenor and GIad-
 iators Are CheGred
DEBATE CAME UP WHILE
 DISCUSSING ARMY BILL
Russell A. AIeer's Alleged Connection With Diamond Match Company Is Pulled In, and Grosvenor
 FlatIy Denies Assertion.

Washington, January 13.-For the first time since the opening of the session of congress, the house was regaled today with a lively political debate. Represen- tative Grovesnor of Ohio and Mr. Clark of Missouri, crossed swords during the general debate on the army appropriation bill and for two hours both sides of the house cheered their respective spokes- men. The contest was entirely good na- tured
 It grew out of a controversy which MT. Grosvenor and MT. Clark have been car rying on In the newspapers over the for mer's statement in the house last De- cember that the democratic party had been wiped out at the last general cleo tion. General Grosvenor today undertook with figures to sustain his contention and Mr. Clark also with figures to prove that the democrats had an "even chance" to win the presidency in 1904. There were several brilliant clashes and the house and the galleries were greatly entertain ed
 Grosvenor a "Stand Pat"
 Mr Grosvenor, Ohio, made an extended argument, designed to sustain an asser- ton made by him before the holiday ad- journment that the democratic party had been wiped out in the election last fall. When MT. Fitzgerald, New York, asked a question regarding New Yorks returns, MT. Grosyenor retorted that he would be able to reply. more intelligently if in- formed whether Mir. Fitzgerald belonged to the Hill wing of the democratic party that proposes to seize the coal mines or to some other wing.
 q will reply to that" responded MT. Fitzgerald, If you will tell me whether on the coal question you are a stand pat republican or some other kind of re- publican" Democratic laughter.)
 T am always stand pat republican" replied MT. Grosvenor among republican applause.
 Clark Makes Breezy Speech.
 Mr. Clark Missouri, replied to MT. Gros- venor in characteristically breezy speech. "The election figures show he said that the democrats had at least an even chance in 1904" While MT. Clark was arguing the change of few thousand votes in certain states would give the democrats the presidency, MT. Wachter interposed: While you are making those changes, do you suppose we will be sit- ting with our hands on our lapsT
 "No," retorted MT. Clark, ''you will have your hands in the treasury up to the arm- pits, just where they always are." Oem- ocratc applause and laughter)
 While MT. Clark was talking about the congressional gerrymanders in northern states, he crossed swords in turn with dozen republicans and each side cf1eered on its speaker.
 "The gentleman from Ohio," (Ndr. Gros- venor), said MT. Clark, lis fond of de- claring that the antitrust law is a re- publican measure; that John Sherman was its father. There Is not syllable of truth in it. will tell you what John Sherman did it for-not because he hated the trusts, but because he hated Russell A. Alger, who was one of the principal owners in that big match factory they got after.''
 Grosvenor Denies 1t.
 Mir Grosvenor: q will state upon the honor of Russell A. Alger himself who re- gently made the statement with his name signed to 1t that he never owned cent of stock in the Diamond Match company in his life."
 MT Clark: Well John Sherman thought he did, any way. Gaughter.)
 MT Mann, Illinois: shameful
 In conclusion MT. Clark said he had not sought this controversy with MT. Gros- venor and he ended with the story of a mighty hunter in the west who was buried and upon whose grave this epitaph was placed: "He whistled for the grizzly and the grizzly came" The democrats saw the application and applauded vigorously. After some further remarks by MT. Swanson of Virginia and MT. Gaines of Tennessee in favor of tariff reduction and free coal the house at 5:15 D. m. ad- journed.