Undignified Antics

The final House debate on the Johnson measure was enlivened by undignified antics. Representative James A. Gallivan, Democrat of Massachusetts, denounced the Ku Klux influence back of the measure. Said he: "You seem to forget that only the other day your ancestors were alien, the sons of England, and France, Ireland and Scotland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia and other lands. Wherever the immigrant has gone schools have sprung up, industries have flourished, trade has increased, wealth has multiplied, prosperity has bloomed and patriotism, peace, law, order, intelligence and happiness follow in his footsteps."

Representative Elton Watkins, Democrat of Oregon, walked over to Sabath, Democrat of Illinois, one of the bill's opponents. Gallivan called out: "Watch out for Watkins, he's not with us!" Watkins turned. "--!" he cried,

"What do you mean?"

"Just what I said, you!" replied Gallivan.

Watkins, a slight young man of medium height, swung on the burly Gallivan, who used to be the toughest umpire-baiter on the Harvard ball teams of the 80's.* Members intervened and bore off the rash Oregonian before he could hurt himself.

Afterwards Mr. Gallivan explained the incident. "He said something nasty to me and I said something nastier."

Mr. Watkins corroborated, in part. "He said something nasty."

*Gallivan played shortstop.