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COLUMBUS:
Saturday MorilK, July 10. 1880.
LARGEST CITY CIUCULATIOS.
Meeting To-Night.
A Fillmore find Donelson Meetiug is called
for to-night at Temperance llall. Messrs. It.
Y. Hill of LnGrungo mid T. H. Wutts of Mont
gomery will address the meeting; and tho oc
casion will, doubtless of interest.
—a
Fire.
The lire on Thursday night was in a ball of
rags in a kitchen in rear of a residence on
Oglethorpe street, near Col. Owen’s Market,
which ball had been prepared to smoko out
musquitoee. The smoke issuing l'roin the
building was so dense, the alarm was imme
diately given by some ono who saw it, and as
we think very properly. The bells took up
the cry and rang, rather merrily for an alarm,
far some minutes, and the fire companies were
put to some troublo in consequence. We
would suggest that smoking out niusquitoes
at this rate is rather expensive.
Serious Affray.
On Thursday afternoon last, an affray oc
curred in tho bar-room of the “El Dorado,”
in this city, between Zacliurinh Gatumell and
Win. 11. Hale, both of this city, in which the
former received four wounds, three upon the
head, and one in the left side—the latter pene
trating, as we are informed, to the hollow, and
possibly may provu fatal. Hale was unhurt.
Yesterday morning Hale appeared before
Justices McKendrce & Quinn, at the instnucc
of A. Ganunell, a brother of tho wounded
man, charged with an “assault with intent to
kill”—Peabody & , for the prose
cution ; Johnson k Jones for defendant. The
only material witness was Mr. Chllul;, a bar
keeper at the “El Dorado.” His testimony,
which wo have not room for in full, was sub
stantially as follows:
The parties had some words about billiards,
which game they had been playing. Ganunell
was grossly insulting in his language to Hale,
who distinctly told him that lib wanted no
quarrel; but that if he, Gnmmcll, laid his hand
upon him, he Halo, would hurt him. At an
other time, if he, (G.) laid his hand upon him
he (G.) might send for his coffin. Ganunell
uppronched Hale, when tho latter shoved him
oft with his left hand. In the meantime Gam
mcll had drawn las knife, but prior to advanc
ing, shut it up and returned it to his pocket.
Hale drew his knife, as witness supposes, for ho
did not Bco it distinctly, and held it behind him.
This was about a minute bil'ore Gatumell made
his last advance, which witnessed described as
sudden and rapid. A: the parties met, Gam
med grabbed Hale, “undor holt,” and Hale
then closed with him. Immediately thereafter
witness saw much blood upon the Uoor and the
persons of the parties. Hale cried to witness.
“Take him off, Charlie! I don't want to kid
him.” Gammed also exclaimed, “Gentlemen,
ho is cutting me.” [We are not sure whether
the witness said cutting or killing—but one of
the two. —Rep.] Witness here separated tho
parties. Witness further testified, as we
should have stated above, that both parties
had taken about three diinks apiece: were
about in the samo state each; and, as he
thought, both well aware of what they were
doing.
Upon the cross examination nothing of im
portance was elicited in regard to the facts,
except that Hale was cool and collected
throughout tho affair. After speeches from
Messrs. Jones, Peabody and Johnson, the Court
held Defendant to bail, in the sum of SI,OOO,
to answer beforo the next Superior Court.
The chief point piade by the Court, was, that
the provocation was not commensurate with
the punishment.
Our last advices from the wounded man,
are favorable to his recovery, though he is by
no means out of dauger.
Re-Elected.
Mayor Withers, of Mobile, who recently re
signed his office, has been ro-elected and has
accepted.
Brooks and Keitt.
Col. Brooks tendered his resignation to the
Governor of South Carolina, about ten days
before his case was taken up in tho House.
His speech just before retiring from the Hall,
was frequently applauded by the large assem
blage of ladies and gentlemen occupying the
galleries. Wo learn from the Columbia Times,
that Hon. L. M. Keitt has also resignod in con
quence of tho vote of censure pnssed by the
House. In both cases, writs orderiug new
elections have been issued, and both gentlemen
will be returned by their constituents. Wheth
er or not they should accept a seat a second
time, is a question about which opinions will
differ. For our own part, had we such a
choice before us, wo should never return, till
abolitionism had been put under foot, and such
agitators as Sumner no longer tolerated in
their blackguard attacks upon the fume of bet
ter men than themselves and nobler constit
ucnces than they represent.
One of tbe Dodges.
It is reported by the London correspondent
of tho Philadelphia Ledger, that Mr. Dodge,
our Minister to Spain, is about making a trea
ty with that country, by which it is to be stip
ulated that we are to debar ourselves from
the purchase or acquisition of Cuba, in any
mode, for the consideration of certain commer
cial advantages to the United States.
If Mr. Dodge ennnot get up a better dodge
than that, ho had better dodge back home.
We don’t like green fruit, but when the pear
is fairly ripe, we Jo not like to bo debarred
trom at least a snatch at it, in the general
scramble which will then ensue.
A Corpse Driving & Span of Horses.
The Janesville (Wis.) Free Press, of the sth
mstant, states that, as Dr. Evans, of Evans
ville, was returning home from that city on
Thursday last, he met a span of horses nttach
ed t° n wagon loaded with produce, and the
erect*™ t a cor P se > sitting
Ded he L, 0 !v tht ‘ reins ’ The Doctor *top
! , and had Mr - Smith immediately
seem. -° t Vr- but life extinct u
“I* 0 bee “ B >ck for some time with
heart P w 1“ and pr ° bft , bly d ‘ed of disease of tho
sd*ul lea ™ ft fß “ ily t 0 lamont hiß Bud ’
Resignation of Mr. Brooks—His Speech be
fore retiring from the Hall.
On Monday the Brook’s case was brought to
a conclusion. The yeas and nuys on the ques
tion of his expulsion, were yens 121.—nays !
j 96. Whereupon;
The Speaker —The House has refused to
I agree to the resolution, there not being a two- j
j thirds vote, as required by the Constitution j
j thereon.
I Mr. Brooks rose to a question of privelige,
: saying he felt that the rights of his constitu-
J ents and the rights of members had been vio
lated by the action of tho House.
Mr. Giddings—l wish to know what the i
question of privilege is.
Mr. Brooks —I will state it.
Mr. Dunn—l ask, by the unanimous consent I
of tho House, that tho gentleman from South j
Carolina be heard.
Mr. Giddings—For one, 1 shall give no such
consent. I object to anything but order from
that gentleman.
Tho Speaker—The gentleman from South
Carolina states that he rises on a privileged
question.
Mr. Dunn—l trust thutthc House will enter
tain a motion for a suspension of the rules.
Mr. Nichols—Delicacy inay have prevented
the gentleman from speaking heretofore. It
was proper he should be heard now. I protest,
in tho name of truth and justic, against keep
ing him silent if he desires to speak.
Mr. Kustis—lt would be a gross violation of
courtesy anil decency to deprive him of the
privilege.
Mr. Florence—The gentleman from South
Carolina had risen and was stating his question
without objection. It was not in order for Mr.
Giddings to object to his proceeding.
The Speaker—lt was competent for the gen
tleman from Ohio to raise a qnestion of order
Mr. Giddings—W’e have voted and done our
duty, uud ought not to listen to a speech out
of order.
Mr. Campbell of Ohio earnestly appealed to
Mr. Giddings to withdraw his objection. Mr.
Brooks, ho said, ought to be heard as ho was
vitally interested.
Mr. Comins likewise appealed to Mr. Gid
dings to withdraw his objection.
Mr. Gidding yielded only on the ground to
to satisfy his friends.
Members now crowded round Mr. Brooks,
and intensely interested spectators in the galle
ries leaned over to hear him.
Mr. B. said Mr. Sumner uttered a slander on
his State and venerable relative who was ab
sent. Not content with this, he published a
libel on his State and blood. Whoever insult
ed South Carolina insulted him, and he stood
ready at all times, humbly and modestly, as
her son, to perform his duty. He should have
forfeited his self-respect and the good opinion
of his countrymen if he had permitted the of
fense to pass unpunished. It was a personal
affair, and in taking redress into his own hands
he meant no disrespect to Massachusetts.
He was aware of his personal responsibility.
He incurred it, and was prepared to meet it.
11c knew he amenable to the laws which offered
the same protection to every citizen, whether
a member of Congress or in the private walks
of life. He did not believe he could be pun
ished by a court of law and by the majority of
the House at the same time. If lie had com
mitted a breach of privilege he was answerable
to the Senate, which had no right to present
him to the House for punishment.
Tnc question not only involved him and his
friends, but the whole House. If the conse
quences were confiued to himself he would be
prepared to meet them as elsewhere. Others
must not sutler for him. He had felt more lor
his friends, Messrs. Edmundson and Keitt, than
himself. They are blameless. Each has proved
a friend who “ sticketli closer than a brother.”
When, he remarked, the people of the great
North speak of me as a bad man, they will do
me the justice to say that a blow from me at
this time would bo followed by a revolution,
and they know it; [Applause, seemingly con
fined to the galleries:] but no act of mine shall
favor revolution. lam not willing to see the
constitution wounded through me.
Ho would say to the House, that the ax up
lifted over him may fall on them. He had on
ly to say he could not retain his seat consist
ently with his self-respect and rights under the
Constitution.
During this very session, a member from
Pennsylvania charged a colleague with an at
tempt at bribery. Where were the proceed
ings in that ease? Bypassing it in silence,
the House has declared bribery is excusable,
but simple assault and battery is not.
lie spoke of Massachusetts as being in re
bellion against the laws and constitution of the
United States while sitting in judgment on him,
and demanding his expulsion without a hear
ing. lie had never been called to order, nor
had he offended any officer, yet a vote has been
taken to-day transmitting him to posterity as
unworthy of a seat here because of disorderly
behavior; nnd in this connection he spoke of
Mr. Pennington as the prosecutor, as the
“thumb paper,” the “Falstaftiau member,”
&.C., lor which the speaker called him to order.
Mr. Brooks said that Mr. Pennington charged
that the assault was murderous, and that with
a bludgeon 1 had attempted to kill Mr. Sumner.
My friend from Massachusetts over there has a
pretty good sized stick; I would thank him to
raise it and submit it to the inspection of the
gentleman from New Jersey. (Mr. DeWitt,
the gentleman alluded to, held up his stick for
a moment.) [Laughter.] Now, that stick is
double the size of the one used by me. Mr.
Trafton here rose, and asked that the disorder
iu the galleries be quieted, or that they be
cleared. [Hisses from the galleries.]
The Speaker said if the disturbance was con
tinued he would give that order.
Mr Jones ot Tenn.—W hy, 1 did not hear any
up there just now.
Mr. Brooks, looking up—ls 1 have friends
in the galleries I desire them to be quiet.
lie then continued: If I desired to kill the
Senator from Massachusetts, why did 1 not do
it? You all admit that 1 had it in my power.
Let me tell the gentleman from New Jersey that
expressly to prevent taking life 1 used au ordi
nary cane, presented by n friend in Baltimore.
I went to the Senate deliberately. I hesitated
w liether 1 should use a horsewhip or a cowhide,
but knowiug that the strength of the Senator
from Massachusetts was superior to mine, I
thought he might wrest it from me. If he had
1 might have done what I should have regretted
for the remainder of my life.
A Voice—He would have killed him.
Mr. Brooks, resuming said—Ten days ago,
foreseeing what the action of the House would
bo my resignation was put into the hands of
the Governor of South Caroliun. Mr. Brooks
replied to several members who lmd said hard
things of him, including Mr. Comins, quoting
the remark that “Massachusetts would take
herowD time for the remedy;” but he would nev
er plead the statute of limitations against the
wrath of that State. He quoted from Mr.
Woodruff’s speech so strougly condemnatory of
his conduct, saying ho thought a gentleman ut
tersng such sentiments “a foemnn worthv of
his steel,” and related in the language of Col.
Savage how Mr. Woodruff declined meeting
Mr. Brooks in the manner recognized by gen
tlemen.
The narration caused laughter. He said to
Mr. Woodruff, go little wretch, there is room
enough in this world for you and me. In his
judgment, the cock that crows and will not
fight, is despised even by the pullets. [Laugh
ter.] Alluding to the remark of James Wat
son Webb, which had been quoted, that the
j act of assault deserved death on the Spot, he
i said ji’ those who indorse that sentiment wish- i
i ed to play the game of chivalry, let them, with
I their whole “Republican” crew come and take
the life, which, they say is forfeited. If his
opponents were satisfied with the present state
of the case, he was.
He returned liis thanks to his friends, espe-
I daily to good Northern Democrats, who had
the manhood to stand by him—not forgetting
John Scott Harrison. Some gentlmen, he be-
I lived, had voted against him contrary to their
i wishes, hut were operated upon by outside
j pressure—and he spoke in commendation of 1
those who gave their votes without indulging
in villification.
He conclded by saying: Mr. Speaker, I an- I
nounco to you and to the House 1 am no longer
a member of the Thirty-fourth Congress.
Confusion, hissesand applause followed, dur
ing which Mr. Brooks retired.
Mr. Caruthcrs said if lie had been present j
j he should have voted against expulsion, believ- ;
ing that no offense to the House had been com
mitted.
It was a long time before order was thorough- 1
ly restored. The next resolution of the majority
of the Committee “declaring disapprobation
of the conduct of Messrs. Edmundson and
Keitt in regard to the assaul,.” came upt
Mr. Campbell of Ohio, and others, called for
a division of the question.
The Spaker decided that the resolution
could not be divided.
Mr. Jones of Tenn. moved that the resolu
tion he tabled.
Motion disagreed to by Yeas 90, Nays 111.
Pending the resolution the House adjonred.
Washington’s Last Moments.
Gov. Wise, of Virginia, delivered an oration
on tho 4th, in which he thus described tho last
moments of Washington:
“He died as he lived, and what a beautiful
economy there was in his death! Not a fac
ulty was impaired, not an error had marred
the moral of his life. At sixty-six, not quite
three score years and ten, he was taken away,
whilst his example was perfect. He took cold,
slighted the symptons, saying ‘let it go as it
came.” In the morning of the 14tli Decem
ber, 1799, he felt severe illness ; called in liis
overseer, Mr. Rawlings, to bleed him. He was
agitated, and Washington said to him, ‘don’t
he afraid.’ When about to tie up his arm,
ho said with difficulty ‘more.” After all ef
forts had failed he designated the paper he
meant for his will, then turned to Tobias Lear
and said, ‘I find I am going ; my breath cannot
continue long. I believed from the first it
would be fatal. Do you arrange and record
all my military letters and papers; arrange
iny accounts and settle my hooks, as you
know more about them than any one else, and
let Mr. Rawlings finish recording my other let
ters which lie has begun.’ Batween five and
six o’clock he said to his physician, Dr. Craik,
‘I feel myself going: you had better not take
any more trouble about me, but let ine go off
quietly ; I cannot last long ! ’ Shortly after,
again lie said, ‘Doctor, I die hard, but I am
not afraid to go; I believed trom my first at
tack I should not survive it: my breath
cannot last long.’ About 10 o’clock he
made several attempts to speak to Mr. Lear,
and at last said, ‘I am just going. Have me
decently buried, and do not let my body be
put into the vault in less than two days after
lam dead.” Lear says, ‘1 bowed assent.’
He looked at mo again and said,’ ‘Do you un
derstand me ? I replied ‘yes sir,’ l ’Tis well,’
said he. And these were his last words, and
’tis well his last words were *’Tis well.’ Just
before he expired he felt his own pulse ; his
hand fell from his wrist, and George Washing
ton was no more.’.
.
Hail Road Iron, &c.
We are gratified to be able to inform our
readers, says the Brunswick Herald, that the
Brunswick and Florida Rail Road Company
has contracted for sufficient Iron to complete
their Road to the Alapaha. The Iron is to be
delivered in Brunswick as fast as the road bed
is ready for laying it. They have also con
tracted for more motive power, cars, &c.—
The Road is progressing satisfactorily, and in
our next issue we expect to announce that the
locomotivo has sent its shrill whistle across
that dark Jordan of the enterprise—the Sa
tilla.
+ ——
Noah grew gray preaching repentance.—
The ark stood useless for years, a huge laugh
ing stock for the scoffer’s wit ; it stood till it
was covered with the marks of age, and its
builders with the contempt of the world; and
many a sneer had those men to bear, as point
ing to the serene heaven above and au empty
ark below, the question was put, “Where
the promise of his coming ?” Most patient
God! Then, as now thou wert slow to punish
—“ waiting to be gracious.”—Guthrie.
A Costly Coffin.
Ihe Sacramento Union says the coffin of
Cora, who was executed at San Francisco, was
of solid mahogany, nnd lined with rich white
satin. The sides were covered with gilt scroll
| work, and tho edges bound with gold lace,
1 studded with silver nails. A silver plate,
, bearing his name, age, and time of his death,’
! was l'laced upon the lid. The coffin was fur
’ nished by Belle Cora, to whom the unfortu
i “ate man was married a few moments before
his death.
.Naval Apprentices.
( A bill has been reported in the House of
Representatives to require the employment of
apprentices in the commercial marine of the
( United States, as follows: For every vessel of
j 160 tons burden and loss than 300, one ap
prentice ; from 300 to GOO tons, two appren
tices ; GOO to 000 tons, three apprentices ; and
one additional apprentice for every 900 tons.
Commissioners to be appointed under this act
arc empowered to bind apprentices applying,
not less than 10 years old. during the remain- :
der of their minority, or such portion of the ■
same as may be agreed on, the consent of the
parents or guardian of tho applicant having
been first obtained in writing.
State Elections.
The following States will hold their elections
previous to the grent contest for the I’residen-
I cy :
Kentucky Aug. 4 California Sent. 4
Alabama Aug. 4 Maine 8
i Texaa.... Aug. 4 Georgia Oct. 0 ,
, Missouri Au g. 4 Florida Oct. 6
Arkansas Aug. 4 I‘ennsvlrania Oct. 14 ‘
N. Carolina Aug. 7 Ohio Oct. 14 !
Tenneotee Aug. 7 Indiana Oct. 14 1
Vermont Sept. 2 S. Carolina ..Oct. 14
Companies of armed men are fitting out at
Mackinac and Washington harbors, on Lake
Michigan, for the purpose of going to Beaver
Island to make arrests of Mormons residing I
there, who are suspected of various crimes,
beveral articles have been fouud in their pos
session, and recognized by persons from whom |
they had been stolen.
TELEGRAPHIC ITEMS.
Later from Europe.
Halifax, July 15.— The Niagara has arrived
with Liverpool dates to the sth inst., being
three days later.
Commercial
The Liverpool cotton market had advanced
during the week from l-10d. a l-8d per lb. —
The sales during the week had comprised 80,-
000 bales, of which speculators took 15,000
and exporters 14,000 bales, leaving 52,000
bales of all descriptions to thetrade. The es- j
1 Unrated sales on the sth inst. were 4500 bales |
—the market closing quiet.
State of Trade —The Manchester advices
continued to be more favorable.
London Money M arket — Consols for money
closed at from 95][ a 961. American stocks
. were generally higher, and U. S. stocks had
advanced.
Havre Cotton Market.— On the Ist inst.
buyers demanded a reduction.
General Intelligence.
A much better feeling in England towards j
tho United States is evident. The papers
which are the organs of trade and finance say
that the negotiations with regard to tho diffi
| culties between them have been resumed, and
are believed to he already in a train of amica
ble adjustment.
j The stock of bullion in the Bank of England
has considerably increased.
In France the new customs tariff’ has been
postponed until the next session of the legislaj
tive assembly.
The crops were good in Great Britain and
France. They were about tho usual average
in Russia, Spain and Austria. They were had
in Portugal.
Another squadron of eight ships were an
nounced to sail from Havana against Mexico.
Denmark, it is apprehended, has renewed
the difficultias regarding the Schleswig-Hol
stein question. Sweden and Norway have pro
fessed adherence to the maritime principles
at the Paris conference,
gjf An insurrection is expected at Parma.
The committee of the Corps Legislatif, of
France, have refused to extend power to the
Emperor to grant pensions.
From Washington.
July 16.—The Senate passed to-day a bill
for the final adjudication of titles to swamp
lauds in Louisiana. The bill for the appro
priation of $2,000,000 for fortifications was
brought up, but its discussion was postponed
until Monday ; the principal business was in
Executive session, in which a long and excit
ing discussion was indulged, on the Naval pro
motions, which were before that body.
In the House, Mr Keitt defended S. Carolina
against the slanders of Messrs. Sumner, Bur
lingame and. others, and stated that his offence
consisted in the fact that he had not turned
informer in favor of the vilifiers of his State
and its distinguished Senator. He also said
that he had already tendered his resignation
to Gov. Adams, of South Carolina, and was
therefore no longer a member of the House.—
At the conclusion of Mr. Keitt’s remarks the
galleries applauded, his friends surrounded
him, and he retired amid great confusion.
Another Fugitive Slave Case.
Boston, July 16—A fugitive slave named
Joseph Williams, was delivered up to-day to
the authorities by the Captain of the brig
Growler, from Mobile, and taken before Judge
Bigelow, whereupon the Vigilance Committee
issued a writ of habeas corpus, and Williams
was released—the claimant not having appear
ed.
Virginia Whig Convention.
Richmond, July 16.— The old line Whig
Convention met this morning, and 44 counties
having been represented, it was organized.—
The nomination of Mr. Fillmore was advocat
ed by several speakers, when the Convention
adjourned until to-morrow.
Percifer F. Smith in Kansas.
St. Louis, July 16. — Gen. Percifer F. Smith
has arrived at Leavenworth city. When the
people asked him to extend to them his pro
tection, ho replied that lie had no authority to
extend any special protection to them, and
told them to rely upon the civil law of the
Territory for redress for any grievances they
may labor under.
The Herbert Trial.
Washington, July 16. — A second jury was
empanelled to-day, in the trial of Herbert, for
the murder of Keating.
Fire in Corning, N. V.
New York, July 16—There was au exten
sive fire at Corning, to-day. Tho loss is about
one hundred thousand dollars.
[Corning is on the New York and Erie rail
roadline. It is mostly a manufacturing town.]
Political News.
Pittsburg, July 14.—The Executive Com
mittee of the American party on Saturday
unanimously indorsed the nomination of Fill
more and Douelson.
Albany, N. 1 ., July 14 — The Chairman of
the \\ hig State Central Committee has conven
ed a meeting of the Committee in this city on
the 24th or 26th inst., with a view to the or
ganization of the Whig party for holding a
Stato Convention, &c.
Rail Road Accident.
Boston, July 14— Last night’s mail train
from New \ ork encountered a rail maliciously
placed across the track four miles from this
city, at about 11 o’clock, throwing it from the
track, and badly smashing the engine, tender,
and baggage car, and considerably injuring the
passenger cars, in which, however, no one was
injured. The engineer of tho train, Mr. Da
vidson, was badly injured, but will probably
recover. The fireman had his head fractured
and leg broken. The passengers and mails
were brought from the ruins and conveyed to
Boston by an extra train, but the train from
this city to New York was unable to pass un
til this morning. No clue has as yet been ob
tained to the perpetrators of the outrage.
Arrests for being Engaged in the Slave
Trade.
Baltimore, July 14.—C. T. Baker, A. C.
Baptista, Carlos Labrada and W. Stabler were
arrested to-day charged with being engaged
in the slave trade. The schooner C. F. Cole
it was alleged, purchased and fitted out by
them for the coast of Africa, had landed a car
j go of slaves at Havana, from whence she re
j turned to the Chesapeake Bay, where it was
the intention to scuttle and abandon her ; but
she was taken up and brought into port,’ and
l the parties above named arrested. Baptista
is the Portuguese Consul at this port.
Death of King Strang.
Buffalo, July 15— King Strang of Beaver
Island died at his former residence in Kacine
county on Wednesday last.
Markets.
New York, July 15—Thecotton market ex
hibits no new feature. The demand is fair
and the quotations steady. Flour has declin
ed 12J cts. per barrel.
C iiarleston, July 15.—There was a fair
demand in thecotton market to-day and stock
light. Sales 150 bales at 10J a 12] cts.
The Newark Mercury states that over 11,-
000 passengers passed over the New Jersey
Railroad on Friday.
The New York Churchman demands that
an example be made of Rev. Dr. Tyng of
Philadelphia, for his recent “Kansas” sermon. I
The Sumner
man. IWr - ClintJ
Me make the following
apcocL of Uon. T. !.. Cling,,,,, ! ™ ‘W
lma, made in the United States lf, jU , .1 j
preseutatives on the resolution foAT * ‘” ■
sion of Col. Brooks : 10 t! T|
And now let me call the uttf.nt;
House to the ease under considemir'i’ °* l l
have already said, it is one which h
ed a very great and remarkable excit
the country, This, Mr. Speaker, mavTcif I
a matter of surprise to me ; f or though ii I
no been here a great many years as a l
yet about a dozen collisions on ihefi r ’
tho two houses have occurred in n , v tin''’ fl
they were much stronger cases than U,k “.fl
cause they took place while the hou St w H
session. Why, 1 recollect that duriiia m!' I
Congress, Mr. White, of Kentucky 6 „ J wB
Rathburn, of New York had a set-to inn ‘fl
where 1 now stand, during a period of ,'"9
excitement, and when politics ran high
reference to a personal offensive charo-c
Mr. Clay; but the House never adoL.flfl
proceedings against those members, Ul .,|
made no noise in the country. I recollect ,1
that, in the next Congress, a gentleman nfl
Georgia and Tennessee had a struggle 0V,.,o V ,., ■
the other side of the chamber, and < ev jl
large desks were overturned, and the eent'fl
men apologized for disturbing our deliberath'H
but the House did not raise any committc ■
censure them in any wise. Also,
closing of that session, whilst the Houe afl
in session, at a late hour of night duru,9
sort of triangular fight, a gentleman from \|
abama struck a gentleman from the Nortli\\<9
over the head with a cane, and cut it t i 9
it bled very freely ; but this did not came til
raising of any committee, or cause any ~',9
proceeding against the parties. 1 reniembel
too, going into the Senate that night, near 9
or two o’clock—and 1 must say here that tlu9
disturbances occur more frequently during .9
last night of the session, when gentlemen, i n 9
ing been up for two or three days and nrnlitl
successively, have gotten sleepy, and th,9
who arc in the habit of drinking spirits drir9
a little from patiiotic motives, just to ke9
awake, so as to be able to attend to the pul 9
business. But, as I was saying, 1 went ii 9
the Senate chamber that night, and a senat9
asked me what we had been doing in til
House. 1 replied that we had a little %]9
there among three of the members. “\Yhy,|
said be, with an air of exultation, “we lmi9
had two in the Senate to-night! ” and it iv 9
true. It was on that occasion that a Senatl
from Pennsylvania was standing up making 9
speech, and a Senator from Mississippi, >'9
1 king his speech, went up and struck himi9
the face, or attempted to strike him, and tho 9
had a regular set-to. The Senate, however,l
did not raise any committee to take charge oil
the subject.
During the next Congress two membei|
from North Carolina had a collision just be|
hind where lam standing; but really no no|
tice was taken of it, except by a little knock|
ing on the Speaker’s desk, and a request o|
his part that members would resume the 9
seats and keep order. ■
A voice. Who were the members ? 8
Mr. Clingman. Ido not give the names |
the parties in any of these cases, because, ill
I did, I w r ould have to refer to gentlemen wlil
are now upon the floor, and thereby render ill
necessary for them to make explanations, anil
thus divert the attention of the House froml
the present case.
Sir, I recollect also that during the Congressl
of 1852, two gentlemen from Mississippi hadl
a fight over the way ; they were pretty stoutl
gentlemen, made quite a “muss,” as they soy I
in New l r ork; but nobody talked then of rais l
ing a committee. Why, even, during the last!
Congress, I think we had two difficulties oil
this sort. A gentleman from Maine had al
fight with some gentlemen from the Vest.!
but it all ended without any action, or even!
notice, on the part of the House. On another!
occasion two gentlemen from Tennessee had a I
a violent altercation, and one of them jumped!
over several desks, and the other pulled out a!
pistol, or, at any rate, a pistol fell upon the!
floor near him; but no steps were taken!
against them. And it is a little remarkable!
that the gentleman who jumped over the desks I
was a candidate for an office in the House at I
the beginning of this sessisn, and was elected I
on the first ballot by a very large vote. If I
you look at that vote, I expect you will find I
that every single gentleman who voted for the I
raising of this committee actually voted for I
him.
Now that shows you what was thought ot I
assaults and batteries here on the floor. There I
is no doubt that this was an interruption of I
the business of the House—that it was u I
breach of privilege; and yet a large majority I
of the present House, including all those, 11
think, who sustain the action against Mr I
Brooks, attached so little weight to it, that I
when they had the whole United States to
pick from, they selected that very gentleman
to make a clerk of the House of. There have,
also, been several duels, without any body br
ing punished for them. It is true that, when
the Cilley duel occurred, owing to the fact that
there was a great deal of political excitement
at that time, and that it was supposed that
Mr. Clay was connected with it, and that some
capital would be made against him and k
party, the House did get up a committor,
and had debates; but the matter was laid on
the table, and instead, a very foolish law wu- j
passed on the subject of duelling. During the
first Congress that I was here, a duel occurred
between a member from Alabama and a mem
ber from North Carolina. A member from
New Y’ork (Preston King) did then introduce
a resolution ; but, after a little debate, the
House rejected it by laying it on the table -
The last duel occurred in 1851, between a gen
tleman from Alrbama and one from my own
State, and the House took no notice of it oil.
Then, as to outside difficulties, such as tlii
one which the gentleman from Ohio has now
! brought before us in the present case, w e have
! had almostinnumernble cases of them. During
j the Congress before the last, while the House wu~
: in session, and just by the door of the post ol
fice, a member from New Y'ork beat the Post
master General, or some other member of the
■ cabinet, and nobody took any notice of it.-
Why, there was a man shot in the door ol the
j hall, some years ago, while there was a fight
going on between two members in the House :
1 but no one was punished for it. A friend be-
I side me suggests that the House did raise a
I committee in that case. I believe it did : but
1 that was all.
# * * * * * *
I maintain, sir, this great proposition; that,
j in accordance with the system of the universe,
i and the laws of Providence, there should be
adequate punishment for each offence. Ibis
! is equally true as respects the moral, the phys
ical, and the organic laws, as exhibited to us
in the world around us, and explained in Reve
lation. I might, if it were necessary, sub
i stantiate this view by innumerable instance.-.
The object of government and of society is t(
provide a sufficient punishment for every
wrong done to the citizen. But, from neces
sity, it leaves him, in many instances, tut
right of redress in his own hands. I further
I affirm that, upon the doctrines of the report