Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-02-15
THE GOVERNORS VETO
OF THIS BILL GOES
Has Warm Debate With Reporter
Perkins, and Put Up Hot Ar.
gument.


The National Guard throughout the
state is resting on its arms today, re-
porters are going heavily armed, and
there is much suppressed tension in
the legislative halls, but Old Glory
still floats proudly over the south
capitol wing. Oregon knows not what
the day or morrow will bring forth.
Sad, sad, hour!
For Governor West, be it said to the
everlasting shame and disgrace of the
newspaper fraternity Of the state,
licked a reporter last night The
event would not have been nearly so
deplorable had the reporter licked the
governor. Surely the noble writing
fraternity, that once noble calling, is
degenerating,
The affair was an impromptu one
between lightweights though both men
were in the pink of condition. "Kid"
West, the state house wonder, howev-
er, seemed to have shade in condition
of his opponent, Battling Perkins" +"
the Portland Telegraph marvel. Eff
forts are being made for a return bout
on the capitol lawn at an early date,
in which event much money will go
up, as friends Of each claim their
man can wipe the other off the face
of the earth.
But such excitement-well, here Is
how it happened:
Frank L. Perkins, who had just
come from Bill Hanleys banquet tC
the legislative newspaper men, saun-
tered into the state house in the prime
Of his sweet, innocent life, whistling
"There'll BE a Hot Time in the Old
Town Tonight" Little dreamed he
what was in store. He was thinking
Of the fighting in Mexico City. Alas,
how little we know what the next mo-
ment holds for us; how near the
grim reaper is lurking.
As Perkins blithely skipped down
the corridor Governor West came out
Of a committee room.
What's going on in there?" asked
Perkins of West, as he expanded his
winning smile.
"Did you speak to me?" the COVER
nor said, according to bystanders. 81
don't want any lying, dirty crook to
speak to me-"
81 haven't lied about you," Perkins
is said to have replied.
Perkins reply seems to be fighting
language in Salem, for hardly were
the words out Of his mouth than Gov
ernor West jumped forward and
grabbed him by the throat, and both
rolled to the floor, splitting, spluttering
sissing and clawing.
Oh, it was awful. IN
Bill Hanley, famous king Of Harney
county, who had just entered the cor.
ridor as the riot started, wrung his
hands In terror as he shouted loudly:
"Will no one stop this frightful car
mage" Legislators and others came
running from all directions. Repre-.
sentative Forbes, Of Crook, Harney
Malheur etc, tainted dead away, ant
Senator Stewart, of the same territory
fell PROSTATE over his body. The
Eastern Oregon men, reared in a re.
fined atmosphere, are not used to ouI
Willamette valley ways, and werC
shocked by the sight.
"Mowderl" shrleked AZ house stenoe
raphers, and "police!" shouted 23 sen,
ate stenographers in high treble, $5 q
day shrieks, and they, too, began join
ing the fainting squad in sections
Lobbyists and others rushed to tele.
phones and began calling up doctors
ordering ambulances and notifying
J relatives.
1t was a time for quick action by
strong men, and those very lads were
on the spot in the person of Senator
Bean and Representative Spencer
They pried the governors hands off
of Perkins throat, and then IA other
solons grabbed Perkins and held him
firmly
81 don't care If you are governor Of
the state shouted Perkins at West
Come back at me, If they will let me
loose, and will give you something to
think about"
Then friends of each hurried tho
combatants off in different directions
That's all,
Notes From the Front.
When news of the combat was
brought into the house, It almost broke