HOUSE DEBATE ON IMMIGRATION BILL COMES CLOSE TO FIST FIGHT BETWEEN MEMBERS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 8, 1924, "two democratic members of the House" of Representatives "came close to exchanging blows on the floor...during debate on the Johnson immigration bill*."
The two members were identified as Rep. Elton Watkins** of Oregon and Rep. James A. Gallivan*** of Massachusetts.
According to a front-page story in The Evening Star, Mr. Gallivan "made a remark in an undertone" to which Mr. Watkins responded by "drawing back a clenched fist and lurching toward Mr. Gallivan."
A fist fight was averted on the House floor as "several colleagues sprang between the two."
During the floor debate on the immigration bill, opponents objected to the 2% quota based on the 1890 census on the grounds that it discriminates against immigrants from southern and southeastern Europe.
*Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed Act) limited the number of immigrants to the U.S. through a national origins quota of 2% of the total number of people of each nationality living in the country in 1890. The act also excluded all Asians from immigrating to the U.S.
**Elton Watkins (1881-1956) was born in Newton, Massachusetts & graduated from Washington & Lee University 1910 & George Washington University Law School. EW served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1923-1925.
***James Ambrose Gallivan (1866-1928) was born in Boston & graduated Harvard College 1888. JAG served in the legislature of Massachusetts before his stint in US Congress 1914-1928.
SOURCES
"Fist Fight Near In House Debate," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 8, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson-Reed Act)," Office of The Historian, www.history.state.gov/
