The Washington herald., 1907-01-11
JAMES PREVENTS ENCOUNTER
Dramatic scene in House Marked by
Heated Language, CIenched Fists,
where"-FinaIIy Principals Apollo
gize and shake Hands.

Representative from PENNSYLVANIA.
Representative Ollie James. of Ken
lucky. a giant In size, interposed his
friendly and burly figure in the path Of
Mr.. Gaines. and Mr.. Gaines came 10 a
fun stop. There was trouble for minute
or two. for Mr. Gaines was determined
not to be cheated of his prey But James
managed, with some assistance. 10 subdue
the Tennesseean
1t all came about through the ambition
Of Mr.. Gaines to secure a more faithful
and general attendance Of members al the
sessions Of the House To this end he in
troduced a bin requiring the enforcement
of the law passed Ia 1854 docking mem
bers for unexcused absences. Speaking
for his measure, ne asserted that Mr.. Ma
hon was absent from his duties g. per
cent Of the time. Mr.. MahOn asked him
why he did not dock himself under the
present law for failure 10 attend Mr.
Gaines replied that he did not know until
he had introduced his bill that there was
such law. Then Mr.. Gaines demanded
why Mr. Mahon, knowing about the bill.
did not dock himself.
why, the gentleman from PENNSYLVANIA
is absent 50 per cent Of his time. and. if
IL were possible. I01 per cent" said Gaines.
For when the gentleman was absent
had been present at night sessions.
Tart Language Used.
When Mr.. Gaines had concluded Mr..
Mahon took the floor. He said that the
gentleman from Tennessee was a magnih-
cent looking fellow; physically. the hand
soonest man in the House. "He reminds
me Of an ola tanning mill that we used
TO have in the barn. said Mr.. Mahous
When We put in the screens the chan
was separated from the wheat Now, the
trouble with nay friend is thar God Al
mighty forgot TO put the screen in when
Ee made him. SO that the wheat goes in
and comes out chan and wheat to-
gethcr."
Their Mr.. Mahon asked about the
charge. Mr. Gaines responded he had
said - per cent Mr.. Mahon demanded to
know where he got the information.
u have been here every day. and YOU
have been away most OF the days was
the response
Mr.. Mann was in the chair. as chair
man OF The Committee of the Whole. He
cautioned the members not to address one
another in the second person.
w hen the gentleman charges me with
being absent - per cent OF my time he is
stating that which is absolutely untrue.
and he knows it," said Mr Mahon.
Mr. Gaines was infuriated 'If you
make that charge you have got 20 make
lt stand outside the House" he said.
Members tried 10 quell the incIpient dis
tErnInct- Chairman Mann pounded ais
desk heroicaly until the head OF his gavel
flew on. Mr. Mah0n repeated the charge.
and Mr. Gaines tried to say something.
but could not De heard in the confusion.
The chairman cautioned Mr.. Mahon not
10 use the second person iu speaking
IN make il In the fourth responded
Mr Mahon. When any member Of the
fouse charges me with being absent %
yer cent of the time 7 DO not care who
he is. it is an absolute and unqualified
I8IsehOOd %
Il DO not propose to- stand such as
that. shouted Mr. Gaines. and be- dashed
down the aisle toward AIr. Mah0u When
but few feet away Mr. James seized
him and pushed him back and into a
seat AIR. Mahon had not moved from
his desk. Every one else I'm the House
was rushing about some calling for the
Scrgednt-8t-arms.
Gray Hairs Brought In.
Mr. Gaines got on his feet soon and
shouted that Mr.. Mahon would yet have
TO answer for what had been said. 4
respect your gray hairs, said he. 'but
You have stepped over The line to-day
my good friend
You can leave the gray hairs out.
do not care anything about that" re-
Piled Mr.. Mahon
After some time order was restored.
Others spoke on the fortifcations bill, and
Gen Grosvenor made q speech opposing
the docking Of members.
Just before adjournment Air. Nlaho7
got the floor He said he had been in
formed his friend-"and We have always
been friends lin ascertaining VINO had
been absent had been informed he
lMahOnl had been absent s5 Der cent Of
the time. Mr. Chairman. that is not
correct said he. Il would not for mo-
ment attribute 10 the gentleman from
Tennessee desire 20 make a declaration
that he did not believe iu. 7 want the
gentleman % realize that the information
he procured is incorrect, and ] Go not at
tribute 60 him any purpose to tell an ua-
truth, because I have great love for the
gentleman from Tennessee
1t was Mr.. Gaines time to apologize.
and he did it gracefully. The gentleman
from Pennsylvania knows have been his
friend day in and day out" he said. Il
have been distressed that l criticised him
few days ago. i did not expect To
aliude TO IT, IF ne did not mean 10 charge
me. as he says ne did not with stating
a falsehOod. and If 7 am mistaken in my
facts. I regret the mistake very much
and l. f2r more than is possible for him
20 appreciate, regret what I have done
and said to-day that offended him. / hope
that satisfies the gentleman"
Peace, Gentle Peace.
Mr.. Mahon said he was satisfied and
started across to Mr Gaines seat to
shake hands. Mr.. Gaines grasped Mr.
Mahon's hand. and amid applause led by
Ollie James. threw his arm around Mr..
Mahon.
After the melee. Mr- Smith. of Iowa. re-
marked: THE consideration Of the army
bfii followed by that Of the fortiftcatious
BILL seems TO have aroused the com
bative instincts of members. I would not
interrupt this era of peace and good will
by asking the committee to proceed fur
Their at this time. and therefore move that
the committee rise.
River and HarBOr Bill Ready.
The river and harbor bill carrying
r4.-a