Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-05-27

narrating the amazing transaction on
the floor of the senate? Would the
statue on the pedestal step down?
Would the sphinx Of the desert speak
the story Of the lost centuries? Would
honor take the place of expediency in
the affairs of state? What might not
happen, thought the senate machine,
now that Peabody and Stevens had
taken to their bosoms what they
termed the purple pup of political
purity?
Neither did the full portent Of the
situation escape the attention Of the
reporters gallery. Dick Cullen OBJ
served to Hansel Of the Record:
"Virtue's getting so thick around
here it's a n to navigation"
Blocking the traffic, EN-" queried
Hansel, and both laughed.
Hello! What's this Z" exclaimed Gull
len a few minutes later. Horton has
been recognized, when the program
was to adjourn when the naval base
bill was over with"
Langdon's speech had proved the hit,
The sensation Of the session. After he
concluded, amid resounding applause,
in which senators Joined, as we'll as
occupants of the galleries, Senator
Horton of Montana rose and caught
the presiding officers eye.
II ask unanimous consent to offer a
resolution"
Hearing no objection he continued in
n o,,, %I,1% ,c{ ,1{1,, N {f,,oo 1oJ ~,
usual attention:
"It is my unpleasant duty'-Peabody
and Stevens exchanged glances-"to
place a matter before this body that to
me, as a member of this honorable
body, is not only distasteful, but deep
~ to be regretted.
There has arisen ground to suspect
a member of this body of having en-
deavored to make money at the gov
crnment's expense out of land which
he is alleged to have desired his own
committee to choose as the naval base.
II therefore offer this resolution pro-
viding for the appointment of an in
vestigating committee to look into these
charges"
Langdon was intensely excited over
this new development. Some one
has learned something about Peabody
or Stevens" he muttered. He feared
that this new complication might in
some way affect the fate of the naval
base-that the south, and Mississippi,
might lose it. He rose slowly in his
,o,% ,,1;l, %I,o .n,o4 1,I,y,,,n1 with
the murmur of suppressed voices.
II ask for more definite informa-
ton" he began when recognized and
after the president of the senate had
pounded with the gavel to restore
quiet, $50 that this house a consider
this important matter more intelligent
ly."
Senator Horton rose. He said:
II will AXE the liberty of adding
that the senator accused is none other
than the junior senator from Missis-
sippf."
Langdon's eyes blazed. He STROBE
swiftly into the aisle.
"Mr. President" he cried passion
ately, 81 know this is not the time or
place for a discussion like this, but
ask that senatorial courtesy permit me
to ask"-then he concluded strongly
before he could be stopped-''what is
the evidence in support of this pre-
posterous charger"
"This is all out of ORDER" said the
presiding officer after a pause, ''but
in view of the circumstances l will
entertain a motion to suspend the
rules"
This motion passing, Horton replied
to Langdon.
"Your name is signed to a contract
with j. D. Teller, mayor of Gulf City,
Miss, calling for 5000 shares in the
Gulf City Land company, and'-
"a lie, a liev!' screamed Langdon.
"That official" went on Horton cool.
ly, sis now in Washington. He has
the contract and will swear to con
, versations with you and your secre-
tary. His testimony will be corrobo.
rated by no less a parsonage than Con
gresham Norton of your w district
who says you asked him to conduct
part of the negotiations"
"And 1 might add" cried Horton
that it is known to more than on
member of this honorable body thai
you had drawn up a minority report ii
favor of Gulf City because of youl
anger at the defeat of your plan t.
take the naval base away from Alta
coola.'
Langdon sank into his chair, be
wildered, even stunned. There was ;
conspiracy against him, but how coul(
he prove it? The ground seemed crum
bling from under him-not ever +;
straw to grasp. Then the old fighting
blood that carried him along in Beau
regards van tugged at the valves o.
his heart, revived his spirit, ran through
his veins. He leaped to his feet.
A sound as of a scuf1e-a body fall
ing heavily-drew all eyes from Lang
don to the real Of the main aisle. Al
assistant sergeant at arms was lying
face downward On the carpet. Anoth
er was vainly trying to hold back But
Haines, who, tearing himself free
rushed down to his chief waving ;