The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-01-11
congressman Gaines and
Mahon Were Kept Apart
ON THE FLOOR OF HOUSE
Gaines Had Said That Mahon was Alb
sent from His Seat 95 Per Cent Of
the Time and Mahon Politely
Said He Lied.

Washington, D. O., Jan. 11.---Repre-
sentative Gaines Of Tennessee attempted
to assault Mr.. Mahon of Pennsylvania
on the floor Of the House yesterday af-
ternoon. Mr. Gaines was making a
speech On his bill to dock members for
absence from the floor Of the House,
when he made the charge that Mr.. Ma
hon was absent from the floor 95 per
cent Of the time.
Previous to this sweeping assertion,
Mr.. Gaines had read excerpts from the
record relative to the Withholding of
pay in the 4ad Congress and the part
Mr.. Mahon played at that time.
Mr. Mahon remained silent throughout
Mfr. Gaines speech, but when Mr. Gaines
had finished he rose and explained that
in the SD and 55th Congresses $1,000
was due him and that Speaker Crisp
gave him an order on the sergeant at
arms for the amount, which was paid.
Then coming to Mr.. Gaines charge, Mr..
Mahon shouted: ANY man who charges
me with being away from this House
05 per cent Of the time, tells an un-
TRUTH
Mr. Gaines started down the aisle from
his seat. mo man can tell me lie,
exclaimed the Tennessean.
Then Mr.. Mann of Illinois took a
hand in the alteration from the chair
and ordered both men to their seats,
Mr.. Mahon obeying, but Mr.. Gaines
stood two seats away from the center
Of the chamber, shaking both fist and
head at the Pennsylvania
When order had been restored, Mr..
AIahon again rose. Having been eau
toned BY the chair that it was against
the rules to address member in the
second person, be measured his words,
saying he would in the fourth person.
He then said:
"The charge Of the gentleman from
Tennessee that am away from this
House o5 per cent of my time is de-
liberate falsehoodp
Mr. Gaines rushed to the center OF
the chamber, toward the Pennsylvania
member, insisting that no man could call
him a liar without personal chastise-
ment.
Mr. Gaines' rush upon his adversary
brought dozen members before the
speakers desk. Mr. Williams OF Mis-
souri, the minority leader, helped Mr..
James and the others to grab Mr.. Gaines,
who was borne struggling to his seat.
Mr.. Mahon, standing on the Republican
side, seemed to be waiting for the at
tack which never came. With Mr. Gaines
back in his seat, the Pennsylvania con
tinued his speech Of explanation. On
its conclusion several other members
spoke about docking" pay. While these
remarks were iii progress the friends OF
Messrs Gaines and Mahon succeeded IN
bringing about reconciliation. Mr..
Mahon rose to . question OF personal
privilege, and stated that he did not
impugn the motive which prompted Mr..
Gaines to utter what was an untruth
about his absence from the House. but
his information was incorrect Yet he
had no desire to offend the gentleman
from Tennessee, whom he elassed among
bis friends Mr.. Gaines Immediately
arose and showed deep feeling, said that
the gentleman from Pennsylvania had
always been his friend but he had been
goaded beyond endurance, not only yes
terday, but on a former occasion. He
regretted the turn affairs had taken.
Are you satisfied with thatg" he
asked Mr. Mahon.
For answer, Mr. Mahon rushed across
the chamber and the two men claspel
hands amid loud applause.