Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-27
HUMPHREY IN
HOT REPLY TO
NEBRASKA MAN
Washington Representative
Assails Norris for Max
ing Anonymous Charge
Against Westerners.

washington, d. C., July 26.--ln a Dlt
ter speech in the house today Repre-
sentative Humphrey of Washington
republican, replied to Representative
Norris Of Nebraska who yesterday con
cluded speech in which he con
demned the recent Chicago republican
convention and charged that the dele
gates from the state of Washington
had been obtained for President Taf
through political corruption. Mr.
Humphrey disavowed any persona
knowledge of the manner in which the
delegates were selected, saying he wat
not at home at the time.
But do resent the attempt OF the
gentleman from Nebraska, Mr.. Nor
ris," he declared, ITO reflect upon the
honesty and integrity of large mum
Der of the citizens Of my state by quot
ing the opinion of some man whose
name he is not willing to give. The
gentleman in his speech said In sub
stance that q certain gentleman o.
wide acquaintance and wide standing
whose statements would have great
weight with the members of this house
and Of the country and who was con
versant with all the facts had stated
to him that the delegates from the
state Of Washington to the republican
national convention were absolutely
stolen
Mr. Humphrey recalled the fact thai
he repeatedly called upon Mr.. Norris
to name his authority. Mr.. Norris, he
said, had declared the man in question
was supporter of President Taft and
candidate for office and for that rea
son had refused to permit the use ol
his name.
Referring to the fact that Mr.. Nor
ris once had been Judge, Mr.. Humph
rey asked him what he would think
if he Humphrey should accuseaa fel
low member Of the house of being Z
scoundrel and criminal and wher
called upon for proof, refuse to name
his informant except that he was "a
man Of national reputation a man
whose truth and veracity the house
could not doubt.
Sees Character Assassination.
what monstrous proposition thai
is," exclaimed Mr.. Humphrey. 'Is
there man on this floor whose innate
sense Of honesty, fairness and just
ness would not arouse his hot indigna
ton? Is it any less monstrous, any
less dastardly, to utter such statement
about large number of reputable citi
zens, to discredit them and for politi
cal purposes to assassinate the reputa
tion of great political party?
II know that the gentleman from
Nebraska does not approve any such
methods. I am still utterly unable to
account for his using such methods, OF
having used them to fall upon reflec
tion to ask to have this portion Of his
speech stricken from the records. This
Is the method of the anonymous letter
writer held in scorn and contempt by
all decent men. This is the method
of the black mailer, the most cruel and
cowardly OF criminals, to extort blood
money from his terrified and helpless
victim, while shielding himself. This
is the method Of the pitiless poisoner
of the domestic peace in his neigh.
boris family. This Is the method OF
the lowest and slimiest of all Gods
creations, the vile monster that by
anonymous whispers assassinates the
reputation of virtuous women"
Mr.. Humphrey said he did Mr.. Nor
ris the Justice of believing he had made
his anonymous charges in the zeal Of