The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-26
SENSATION IN CONGRESS Cooper and Hepburn
 Clash. FALSEH0oD PASSED ON FLOOR Williams Demands Withdrawal of
 Language. Wisconsin Congressman Alleges Iowa Representative Has Agreed to
 Strike Out Express Company Amendment in Rate Bill.

Washington, May 25.--ImmediateIy after the approval of the journal in the House today. MT. Dalzell of Pennsyl- vania reported rule from the Com mittee on Rules providing that the railroad rate bill with the Senate amendments, be sent to conference Mir. Dalzell demanded the previous question and the roll was called.
 The previous question having been ordered on the rule-yeas. f52; nays. S3; present, 15-Mr. DaIzeu of Pennsylva- nia explained that the resolution was simply for the purpose of sending the railroad rate bill to conference.
 Mr. Norris (Neb.) wanted to know if the House would have a chance to vote on separate amendments.
 MT. Dalzell replied that the rule was only intended to facilitate business and that there would be ample opportunity to discuss the conference report
 clap of thunder came from an un- expected quarter. Mir. Cooper of Wis eonsin wanted to know what objection there was to letting the house pass on the amendments now.
 He said; Let us vote on the express company amendment" Applause on both sides)
 MT. Deisell replied that the House could easily non-concur in the confer enee report and instruct the conferees as to the wishes of the House. Then MT. Cooper, in a very impressive man ner, said that he had been informed by gentleman in whose integrity he had the fullest confidence that some gentle men, he would not say whether they were members of the House. had agreed that the express company amendment should go out of the bill.
 Hepburn Asked for Names. MT Hepburn (Iowa) jumped to his feet, exclaiming that he did not take any stock in what one member said to another on matters of this kind. will you state the names of the per sons who have thus declared them selves?; called out MT. Hepburn. MT. Cooper: 'Oh. do not want to of fend, especially, the, gentleman from Mrl Hepburn. "oh. you can't offend l me by answering that question" Mir. Cooper. T am, not going to name men who come to me and tell me matters in confidence. The gentle man from Iowa places me in an em- barrassing position. but since he asks me I will say that he Is said to have remarked in conversation. Oh, the ex- press company amendment will go out " ..-, .. t ,
 Mir. Hepburn, greatly wrought up and exceedingly nervous, replied:
 Any man. who told the gentleman that Shaking his fist at MT. Cooper) told falsehood, and until the gentle man from wisconsin names the individ- ual who made this statement to him, shall hold that the gentleman Is drawing on his imagination"
 MT. Williams T calt the gentleman from Iowa to order for his language"
 MT Hepburn: 'I withdraw the lan- guauge which Is offensive to the gentleman from Mississippi"
 Mir Williams: "It was not offensive to me, 1t was offensive to the House and contrary to the rules"
 Intense excitement prevailed. The speaker pounded for order but to no purpose.
 When he could be heard above the uproar, MT. Cooper said that he was not the only gentleman to whom simi lar statements were made. There are other members of the House to whom they have been made and there Is no purpose, no object on my part to de- iiberateiy mlsrepresent that statement"
 Mir. Hepburn: why don't you say who told you that?'
 Mir Cooper responded by saying that he could not understand why the gen tIenen asked the question unless he had heard the rumor going around.
 This closed the colioquy.