Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-24
Congress-
 At Fisticuffs
ALASKAN DELEGATE TRIES TO
 HIT WYOMING MAN.
APOLOGIES FOLLOWED
The Lie Was Passed-Mr. Wicker sham's Fist Failed to Land-House in an Uproar.

Washington, Feb. 2S.-Another blood less battle was fought on the floor of the house of representatives late today. It occurred during a somewhat heated debate on a bill for the leasing of coal lands in Alaska. The lie was passed and as the short and ugly word rang out Delegate James Wickersflam of Alaska made a rush for Representative Frank w. Mondall of Wyoming, who was seated at a nearby desk. The big Aldskan's right arm shot out twice in the direction of the gentleman from Wyoming, but members who surround ed the disputants at the. time say that both blows fell just short.
 Had Mir. Wickersham by the Throat.
 The house was in an uproad in an instant. Several members hurled themselves on MT. Wickersham; others were struggling with MT. Wendell, who had gained his feet and was making for his assailant Representative Fos- ter of Vermont had taken Mir. Wicker sham by the throat. This added to the uncontrolled anger of the delegate, and for a moment diverted his attack tow ard the would-be peacemaker. Rep reSentatfve SisSon of Mississippi was first to reach A1r. Monden. who was endeavoring to raise the cpair in which he had been sitting, to hurl 1t at his antagonist.
 Rush from All Parts of the Chamber.
 
 Members rushed toward the group from every part of the chamber and soon there were nearly a hundred men in the crowd about the still struggling g legislators.
 Invoked the Historic Mace.
 Meantime Representative Olmstead of Pennsylvania, who was acting as speaker, was madly belaboring his desk with the gavel and sailing upon the sergeant at arms to preserve order. The historic mace of the house, the emblem of authority, was lifted from it's marble pedestal and carried to the floor by the house officials. Members, however, had taken the matter in hand and had succeeded in bringing both MT. Wickersham and Mfr. Monden to a cessation of hostil1ties.
 Mir. Wickersham Heard.
 When the house was fairly quiet MT Wickersham ,clalnored for recognition.
 q want the Record to show that l apologize to the house. but his voice rose to a shout, 4I also want it to show that was called a liar"
 Representative Tawney of Minnesota demanded that the entire colloquy be speakers desk. The stenogra pfer said he overheard MT. MondeH, who was seated at the time, say:
 ssHe is a liar."
 Mir. WickerSham also had heard.
 Chair Between Them.
 If you say that, you are a liar" he had shouted, and in another instant had rushed at MT. Mondell. A chair between the two members had ob- struoted their collision. Wickersham's s shout of '1iar' to MondeH was the first the house had heard. MT. Mondelps utterance had been made in an under tone.
 Representative Tawney called atten- tion to the fact that the language used by the disputants was clearly unpar- lfamentary and that there should be an apology.
 Apologies from Both.
 1T do apologize said MT. Wicker sham T lost my temper" He sat down.
 sI think the apology should be broad er,'' interjected Representative Keller of Ohio.
 T make my apology as broad as any gentleman in the house wants it. said MT Wickersham, "and that is all have to say
 MT. Mondell then arose
 'tI uttered no such statement as has been reported in debate" he said T turned to the gentleman from South Dakota. who was standing at my desk, and said: Then he must be a liar.'
 Mir Mondell said his reference was to the fact that nothing in the record showed any coal claims in Alaska, out side of the Cunningham group, had. gone to final entry. MT. Wickersham had disputed this statement.
 Not Speaking to Wiekershsm.
 My remark was not directed toward the gentleman from Alaska MT. Mon dell went on, land 1t was not uttered in debate. but to gentleman who stood beside me. I realize. however, that I should not have used the word here, or anywhere, for that matter, and I apologize to the house.
 During the applause which followed MT. MondelFs statement, MT. Tawney moved that the house adjourn. On standing vote the motion was appar- ently carried, but the opponents of the Alaska leasing bill demanded a roll call Under this call the motion to ad- journ was lost and the leasing bill was then defeated 151 to g.
 No Hot Southern Blood in This.
 When the excitement was over member of the Kentucky delegati made the informal remark that this was one occasion where s'hot southern blood" was not involved. Alaska, he declared was the coldest place on earth and Wyoming about next best" New Hampshire Legislature Gains
 Seven.
 Concord, N. H., Feb. 23.-The New HamnSl1ira legislature. already the