Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1837-02-06
WASHINGTON. Jan. y. 1897.

WASHINGTON, Jan. y, 1887.
There was personal scene OF the most IN
tense and painful interest IN Il . House day
which has however terminated without any Sc
rous consequences and in manner regarded by
their friends perfectly honorable 10 the parties.
The unfinished business of Yesterday was the
bill introduced by MIR. Bell to secure the free
dom Of elections This having been taken up 1t
4 proper lime Mr. Bell was proceeding to ad
dle5s the House, but cave way, with his usual
courtesy, 10 several gentlemen who wished to |
make reports from standing committees. ptesen,
resolutions, e.. Mr. Jarvis asEed the consent
Of the House to take ur bill providing for the
enlistment Of boys in the naval service Of the L |
5. Mr.. Bell objected. Mr. Jarvis made some
remarks in support OF his proposal to take up the
subject at that time, and referring To the objec-
ton Of Mr.. Bell, aud the wish of that gentleman
to 20 ON with the consideration Of his bill. he
used language which Mr. Eel and many cente
men around hun construed into an Impeachment
Of his motives, aud an lmputatol that Mr. Bell
sought only 10 CRAFTY his personal feelings in a
speech.
Mr. Bell rose instantly aud said, III i, talsen
The Speaker instantly called to order. Mr. JAR
Wis then replied, in substance, that ne had nothing
more TO say in that place.
There was dead pause for several minutes
Mr. Mercer, with a view to bringing about
Cancellation, called upon Mr.Jarvis 10 rcstate the
language he had used, 50 that The House might
Judge Of the extent of the pravocation we'll as
OF the rctort.Mr. Jdr"is replied that he would
not Ieuact, nor say one word more, until the Ian
| guagc applied to HIM was withdrawn.
Mr. Mercer then offered re> luton that both
the gentlemen SHOULD be called upoa mutually to
pledge themselves to the House that they would
not prosecute a quarrel growing cat OF the words
! employed by them. At tAls puiullt WAS sug
! rested thai Mr.. Bell had misunderstood the Ian
guage of Mr. Jarvis, and taat the latter had not
intended to Inpcach The motives OF the former
Mr.. Bell then rose and recitjag the language
! which he underetuo MIR jaws 10 u+e namely
that the gentleman from Tennessee bad sub
united a proposition which lie mist know could
not lead TO any public good, but only 10 the phi
yate qualification olhlmselfa lie said he could
put no other construction on this, bat that the
gentleman meant 10 impearh his motives and
| insult HIM II, however, the gentleman would
disclaim any such Intention, he would Withdraw
| the cpltlet he had used. Several gentlemen rose
| in their places and corruborated the accuracy of
the language OF Mr. Jarvis, rs recicd by MIR. b.
and agreed that they had placed the same con
suucton on it, Other gentlemen rose and stated
/ then Impressions as 10 the language employed.
/ which were DIN rent IN some respects from the
cons truoti0h of Mn BELL: but there seemed 10 be
! general concurrence that The words Equalization
/ Of personal feeling were employed, aud these,
YOU will understand, were exactly the words to
which Mr.. Bell took the strongest exception
and used the strongest expression in order 10 re-
pei.
a great deal Of dc-utoy conversation arose
! in which several members parlicipated making
appeals TO Mr.. JARVIS 10 rc-state his language
aud 10 Nh. Bell to withdraw bis cpithel. Mr.
! Philips made an earnest and solemn appeal TO
both gentlemen and 10 the House TO have the
ttorr HAD
appeals, reminded the House of what Mr.. Bell
| had voluntarily stated, aud he now repeated ia
| ms behalf, that if Mr.. Jarvis would say he did
| not intend TO insult him he would withdraw all
he sad by way of retort. Mr. Jarvis made no
! reply-hut again great deal of desultory con
versatlon took place, which II is perfectly useless
TO report Motion after motion was made 10 ad.
IouIn--it being regarded by many members that
The speeches made matters worse, & rendered
proper understanding more and more difficult
/ But these motions were successfully defeated
! There was a general desire TO have the matter
settled before the House should adjourn In the
mean time, while all WAS confusion around both
the gentlemen interested sat with perfect cool
ness and compousufe, and LEFT il to their friends
to talk.
AT last. Mr.. Wise. who had been assiduously
engaged during the whole day in the business Of
the Investigating Committee, and who had
not been present during the proceedings until late
IN the day. arose aud took up the part, Of peace
maker-and am glad to say, with perfect sue
cess. Mr.. Jarvis yielded to his solicitations He
rose, aud said he was prepared to make an ex-
Ip'anation, provided the Objectionable cpithet was
Withdrawn so as to enable him to make it. Mr..
WISE then said that in the name al his friend he
would withdraw it for the tiRe, and for the pur
pose OF afordmg Mr.. Jarvis the opportunity to
Explain
Mr. Jarvis replied that the load was now taken
Oh, aud he could proceed easily He proceeded
then 10 give an explanation every way satsfac-
tory He meant 10 say that Mr. Bell must be
aware that his proposition was of such a charac-
terthat nofegi station could grow out of it's that
| It could have no effect but to CRAFTY rersore,l
lieelng"-but he did not mean TO make any uer
sonal reflection or allnson; on the contrary. moi.
wthsandug political differences, he had al
ways held the character of Mr. Bell in high re
spcrt
MIR. Wise repeated this disclaimer 10 the
House and said he thought his friend (Mr. Belly
ought TO be perfectly satisfied with t-and there
fore IN his name he withdrew the Objectionable
language.
Mr. Mercer congratulated the House on This
happy settlement OF painful subject & on mo-
Ton The House Immediately Adjourned D. !
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