Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-22
DECLARES THAT HE ACTED
IN "MOMENT OF PASSION"
Practically Challenges Chamber to
Carry Matter Further.
DUEL WAS ONCE CONSIDERED
Ben Johnson Testifies Banker, Who
Was Not Present at Hearing.
Voiced Wish for Combat.
Committee Consider
ing Law.

After several witnesses had testified
that Charles c. Glover struck Repre-
sentative Sims with the open hand upon
the face. on the morning of April Is in
F'arragut Square. Chairman Davis of the
seiect committee of the House. which
met in the House office building this
morning to ascertain all the facts in the
case. produced letter from the banker
which partakes of the nature of an apo!-
| osy. and also challenge TO the right OF
the House OF Representatives to go q
step further in the matter.
MT. Glover was not present at the hear.
ing, which took place in the spacious
chamber Of the judiciary committee OF
the House of Representatives
After hearing the witnesses and read
ing the letter, the committee went into
executive session to determine the legal
questions involved.
Ben Johnson a Witness.
During the testimony Representative
Ben Johnson Of Kentucky. witness be-
fore the committee. testified that at one
time he thought Mr.. Glover was chai-
longing him to duel. and that he re.
piled that If there was any way to GET
around the dueling laws. he could ao-
commodate Mr.. Glover at any time Il
| turned out. however according to the
testimony Of the Kentuckian that MIR
Glover had evinced desire to fight a
duel with Representative Sims.
The statement from Mr.. Glover. which
| puts the whole matter up to the highes,
| privileges Of the House of Representa-
tives. was an answer to a communication
addressed to him by Chairman Davis o.
the committee, informing the banker lie
could be present IN person or by counse.
No one appeared to represent Mr.. Glover
Glover's Statement in Full.
The statement in full follows:
Il have the honor to acknowledge re-
ceipt OF your courteous communication OF
the 21st instant. inclosing, for my nfol-
nation. an attested copy OF House reso-
luton No. 50. SiXty-third Congress. frs.
session, proposing an investigation of all
! alleged assault committed upon the Hon
orable Thetus w. Sims. a representative
in Congress.
Il note that Your committee will pro-
ceed with its duties Tuesday, the .2l
day of April, 1915, at 1890 o'clock am.
and also that at the hearing I may al
! tend in person or by counsel. thank
your committee for this privilege.
1T would seem that the purpose OF
your committee in offering this privilege
may well be met by the following state
ment. which | freely and respectfully
su bmit for the consideration both of you.
committee and of the House of Repre-
sentatives:
Took Law Into Own Hands"
"The preamble of the resolution sets
forth with substantial accuracy the
facts of the incident therein referred
to. 1t is true that in IA moment OF pas
sion. moved by what I deemed To be
extraordinary provocation, 1. who nave
the most profound respect for the law.
took the law into my own hands 1T
is needless to say that in So acting |
had no intention TO invade any priv
lege of the House Of Repre-
or of any of its members such: nor.
indeed, did l at the time understand
that any claim could be made that !
was SO doing.
Being now advised that it is thought
By the House of Representatives, AS cx-
pressed in the aforementioned resolil-
ton that such action did constitute a
breach of the privileges of the House and
Of its members. | desire in the fullest and
most emphatic manner to disclalm any
intention of showing disrespect for the
House of Representatives as a body, or
for its members individually. or OF yio-
lating the official privileges of either.
Greatly Regrets Incident.
Having been all my life law-abiding
citizen Of the National Capital. ] great
ly regret this single departure from
lifelong course OF conduct
Though advised that under any fair
and reasonable Interpretation of the con-
clusions announced by the Supreme Court
of the United States in the case of Kill
bourn agt. Thompson, los u. S. lG3. the
House of Representatives is without jur-
isdiction to pursue this inquiry and to
take the action foreshadowed by the res
olution in question. l have determined. as
the result of personal reflection, to dis
regard this advice for the moment. re-
serving, however, the right to avail my
self of the benefits thereof il it should at
any time become necessary SO to do.
with this statement and disavowai, L
leave the matter TO the consideration OF
your. committee and to that Of the House
Of Representatives.
Sims Tells of Incident.
Representative Sims was the first wit
ness.
do YOU know one c. C. Clover" asked
Chairman Davis.
II do
III. detailed the famous FarraEut Park
episode.
EST started from my house TO the Post
once Department at O'Clock the morn
;np or the 18th to see First Assistant
Postmaster General Roper. 1 met Dr..
Napruder and went part way with him
in his motor l got out of the car al
Stoneieigh Court and entered Farragut
Square afoot.'
He said Mr.. Glover approached him
from behind and touched him.
IT did not recognize him for .. moment.