Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1894 — CONGRESSIONAL AMENITIES, [ARTICLE]

CONGRESSIONAL AMENITIES,

Fanny Phases of the Tariff Debate— A Very “Ixmd” Coat. Ext. Con. Proceedings. Jan. 26.1891. It was while this - amendment was being considered that tbe flrst‘scene” of the day transpired. Mr. Cannon jokingly said that he desired to call the attention of his colleague (Mr. Hunter) to the fact that if this amendment carried, his (Mr. Huntsr’s) speech of thirty years’ standing would be destroyed. Mr. Hunter made; a bitter reply, which he concluded by saying that in this house he never had been and never would be guilty of the vulgarity and indecency which had for two years driven that gentleman into political exile. Hisses and jeers from the Republican side greeted this reference to the incident, and in a.moment Mr. Cannon was on his feet, a burning flush upon his cheek. He had been in Congress for twenty years, he said, his colleague was serving his first term. Bis reference to that gentleman’s speech had been entirely goodnatured. For twenty-five years upon the hustings, he had heard his colleague wrap his coat around him (as he said this Mr. Cannon in imitation of Mr. Hunter, drew himself up in mock solemnity) and begin by saying he stood for the common people, whose clothes were taxed 80 per cent., ’ whose shelter was taxed 50 per cent., while the diamonds of the rich were taxed only 10 per cent. With that text for twenty-five years he had stumped Illinois and concluded with uplifted eyes and glowing peroration by saying that not all the blood of the crucified Christ on calvary could wipeout such infamy. (Laughter.): “ : And now.” continued Mr. Cannon, | “the gentleman comes here and drags in a reference to a remark Ii made in the Fifty-first congress in the hurry of running debate, a re- 1 mark that was misrepresented all | over the country. He does this with the true instinct of an unfair debater. I will not characterize this the subterfuge of a weak man. (Prolonged Republican applause.) Mr., Hunter disclaimed any intention of misrepresentation and withdrew what he had said.