The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-14
SULLIVAN REPLIES TO HEARST.
HEARSTrS REJOINDER CREATES
4 SCENE ~ THE HOGSE.

Kent by one John 4. Sullivan, Who
was Indicted for the Crime and lie
Asks Representative sullivan II lie
knows Anything Abuut That Incident
WAsHrgaroN. Feb 13.-This being Mon.
day. was wash day in the House Of Repre-.
sentatives. end the biggest Tot Of dirty
linen that la been seen for long time
was displayed for the benefit of the members
and the ediacauon Of the galleries. Per-
sonali,es Of the bittorest kind we're in
duleed in BY two Democratic members,
and before they were through one had been
accused Of being a debauchee and the
other Of being murderer. The parties
to the controversy were Representative
John A. Sullivan Of Massachusetts and
Representative William r. Hearst Of New
York. and the trouble between them arose
from Mr.. Sulliyan's opposition 20 the Hearst
plan for settling the railway rate question.
MIR. Sullivan had been attacked in the
New York American, one Of the newspapers
which Mr. Hearst owns. In Washing
ton despatch to that newspaper reference
was made to the alleged color Of MIR. Sulll-
vans nose. and other uncomplmentaTy
personalities were used Mr. Sullivan,
to-day. rising 10 a question OF personal
privilege. delivered a scathing attack
on Mr. Hearst. whom he held responsible
for the despatch. His speech was couched
In vigorous language that showed Mr..
Sullivan to be pretty good u n ter oil
philippe. Hecalled Mr. Hearst a swagger-
ing bully" and said his paper had a
political assassination department He
spoke Of the contemplate m ntal and moral
equipment" of the man he vas attacking,
and IL a candidate for the Presidency.
obviously meaning Mr.. Hearst, whose
campaign had begun in a debauch and
ended in tiasvo, the main features OF
which were the grossest form of couup-
ton
There was an occasional diversion while
Mr. Sullivan was speaking point OF
order was made against Mr.. Sullivan's
langusg e but Speaker Cannon ruled that
there was nothing supplementary in
what the Massachusetts, man said, and Mt
times there was much confusion on the floor
The response of Mr.. Hearst was brief.
He assumed responsibility for the despatch
10 which MIR. Sullivan objected, but said
he did not inspire it. Then he charged that
MIR. Sullivan had been one of two men who
dive in Cambridge Mass, and asked Mir.
sullivan to explain. His face livid, Mr..
Sullivan rose to respond, but Representa-
tive Butler Of Pennsylvania, evidently
a5oring under great excitement, demanded
that this thing be stopped
Speaker Cannon ruled that Mr.. Hearst
Was proceeding within his rights, and Mr..
Sullivan was on the point Of replying when
he was persuaded by some Of his friends to
drop the controversy for the time being
He will have another say tomorrow. when
1t is expected that there will be exciting
scenes.
After the episode Mr. Sullivan explained
that he and his father were the persons to
whom Mr.. Hearst referred in the reference
to murder at Cambridge. Mr.. Sullivan
eaid he vas then a boy. He and his father
were charged with having killedfa man,
and he was fined and his father sent 10
prison Later, ne said. it was shown that
inc man died from the ehects Of alcohol and
his father was pardoned.
AS soon as the journal OF yesterdays
proceedings Of the House had been read.
Mr.. sullivan rose TO question OF personal
privilege At the suggestion of Speaker
Cannon Mr.. Sullivan asked unanimous con-
sent TO make "A personal explanation This
was granted and he proceeded
MIR. sullivan referred tOa colloquy between
himself and MIR Lamar OF Florida. and a
comment on this in the New York American.
In which he (Mr. SULLIVAN was called a
bald, red nosed young man who had then
for the first time revealed his unsuspecting
presence in the House OF REPRESENTATIVES.
by asking some questions which showed
that he knew nothing Of the hearings
before various committees on railway
legislation.
In the course Of his remarks. where he
said he hoped the gentleman from New
York (Hearst) would have the decency 10
reply 10 the statement from his place on the
floor, Mr.. Robinson Dem, Ind }. amid jeers
and derogatory cries Of -Oh, made the
point that Sullivan could not impugn the
motives OF n fellow member. nor referto him,
under parliamentary law, in terms OF OPP
probrium or abuse.
Ruling upon this point. Speaker Cannon
said that Sullivan evidently was not discuss
ing any member of the House. but news
paper man. Laughter Later, when Sulh
van described as PROCLAMATION the raising
Of the ewes Of one suffering from -congenital
inCapacity TO the fairest prize IN the Temple
~ Freedom, the Presidency. Mr.. Robinson
agai; made the 2oint Of order that Sullivan
vas transgressing parliamentary privilege.
Speaker Cannon examined the words
complained q amid great expectancy OF the
members on the floor. end ruled that upon
tho record thus presented he could not say
Sullivan was out Of order
Mr. Sullivan denied the charge that he
was ignorant Of what had been done in
the way Of railway legislation, and he COM
pared his record Of attendance in the House
Nth that Of Mr. Hearst, WHO, be said. had
answered to only nine cut Of ffty-hye
roll calls srce he became member.
His constituents he added, evidently
do not EXPECT him TO come here often.
for by rejecting him they indorsed his
record Of absenteeism, apparently on the
theory that he could do them less harm
by his absence from the House than by his
presence therein.
Many members Of this House,' Mr. Sulli-
van said must feel some curiosity TO know
why the gentleman from New York ever
breaks his Gu tom hy coming into the House
m all. He comes here solely because the
position offers him an opportunity to eX-
plot his candidacy for the Presidency Of
The United States. That he il n candidate
for the Presidency Is a truth that has ceased
70 he startling. for after the country took
a survey Of him II discounted him as a
possibility and breathed easter forthwith
There was single precedent in his favor,
for the Democratic party had once nomi-
mated an editor, but he failed 70 remember
that it had never nominated a mere check
book The political parties Of this country
frequently nominate great men, almost
always good men, but always men who
have shown ability in some branch OF the
Dubic service They have never nominated