Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-14
WET ALLY SLUGS
LEADER OF DRYS
German Fells Wilson in Illinois
Hall of Representatives
After Clash.
PARTISANS TAKE A HAND
Free-for-AIl Fight Threatens When
Speaker Mckinley Orders
Peorian Out.

Springfield, Ill, June 14.-Bedlam
broke loose, pandemonium ragged and
riot and free-for-all fight we're mar
rowly averted in the house of repre-
sentatives of the sovereign state OF
Illinois last night when Representa-
tive Thomas H. German of Peoria
slugged George H. Wilson of Quincy,
knocking him to the floor.
The assault was the elimination Of
the general bad temper engendered
this session, particularly by the wet"
and dry" fight. Bitterness became
belligerent and broke all bounds; it
was a case of rum, riot and rebellion
almost.
For a time it looked as if the slug
ging would be followed by violent
encounter between friends of the two
principals.
The Richardson anti-house of ill
fame bill was up and Representative
Holiday of Danville was making a
speech when the German attack came.
Wilson, who is one of the dryest of
the "drys" and their house leader, had
gone to the democratic side of the
house and was speaking with dry
members, when German, who is one of
the wettest of the ''wets," shouted at
him:
Get out of here, you piker! Go
back Were you belong!"
"Oh, shut up" said Wilson.
BLOW LANDS ON JAW.
| Wilson went back toward his seat
and was talking with Corporation
Counsel Sexton of Chicago, when Cor
man came up.
You can't tell me to shut up" Mr.
Sexton heard a voice behind him ez
claim. and the next instant Wilson
was SPRAYING, German having caught
him off his guard and having landed
one on the jaw.
In an instant the house was in ar
uproar. Members jumped over the
brass railing. Some pulled Gormar
away others raised Wilson to his
feet. The latter was dazed. but recov
cred quickly. German was forced
back TO his seat by friends.
Throw him out" "Expel that mem
Der" and Put him off the floor" yell
ed Wilson's friends, Who swarmed in
TO the aisles.
The speaker almost smashed hil
desk with the gavel, and at length
made himself heard above the din.
Let us decide at some other time
when all of US are little cooler, VIVA
is to be done" he cfed.
In the tumult score of voices be
gan to yell Adjourn" Mr.. Tice man
aged 10 get near the speakers desk
Keep this house in session or there
will be riot-they're ready to figh
If you adjourn" he shouted.
GoRMAN REVIEWS ATTACK.
The house was beginning to cain
down and Mr.. Holiday was proceeding
with his speech. when German left hi
seat and rushed again for the rear o
the hall Representative James H
Morris, a friend, grabbed German
arm, but was dragged along down tn
, aisle. Half a dozen democrats a
length forced German into his seat
After the second outbreak had sui
sided somewhat Speaker Mckinley al
dressed the doorkeeper.
, Remove that member from tn
t floor of this house" he shouted. A
once some of Germans partisan
: started down the aisle. shouting "NC
= you WON'T"
I Germans friends crowded aroun
: his desk, forming a human wedg
which Doorkeeper Klein was unable I
penetrate, but at length. on the advic
of his friends, German voluntarily
OF his grlends, German voluntarily lei
the floor. Friends who accompanie
him say he regretted his violence an
will apologize.
Wilson has made a demand upo
Z the speaker for Germans expulsion
MAIL TRhlC Ic hTIhnNEI