The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-05-02
Correspondence of the Charleston Courier.
WASHINGTON, April ~.

Correspondence of the Charleston Courier.
WASHINGTON, April %.
The House was disgraced yesterday, by
a scene of disorder and personal violence
such has been rarely witnessed even in
that body.
Mr.. SALToNsTALL had the floor, Il COM
mittee of the whole, and was speaking OF
the attempt of the Globe, to discredit some
official statements as to the expenditures
of the Government. The Globe, in an ar.
ticle headed "federal tricks. people OF
Virginia be on your guard" states that a
handbill, signed by seven or eight men,
bers of the House, containing statement
of public accounts that, without expland-
ton, was calculated to make "a most
false and foul impression on the public
mind" mad been extensively circulated in
Virginia. The Globe explains the matter
so as to shew that the "items are not
made up in such manner as to present a
true state of the public expenses" though
it was circulated as an official document.
Among the signers of the handbiIl were
Mr. RICE GARLAND, Mr.. SALToNsTALL'
and Mr.. Boris Mr.. WISE rose to make
some further explanation on the subject,
as his colleague (Mr. BorTs) was absent:
He read and compared the handful and
the official document to which il refers,
and challenged any one to point out any
variation, except in the statements mark
ed "unofficial." While Mr.. WISE was
speaking on the subject, all outcry and
noise suddenly arose on the left of the
Chair, and two of the members, RICE
GARLAND of Louisiana, and JESSE n. BY
MUM of North Carolina, were observed IN
close and violent conflict. There was
rush to the spot. Mr.. EVANS seized Mr.
BYNuM, and Mr.. BANKS and others lad
hold of Mr.. GARLAND, and other persons
crowding between them, the combatan's
were separated. The Chairman, in the
mean time, implored the members, for
the sake of their own characiers-tor the
sake of the country, to preserve order
The speaker was called for and some call
ed for the Sergeant at Arms. Some few
were opposed to any attempt to separate;
the par:ies-declaring that, as they could
not fight as gentlemen, they ought 10 fight
in some other way. The speaker took
the Chair and endeavored to bring the
House to order Mr.. BYNrM. after being
dragged away, continued to menace and
dare his antagonist.
At length, order was restored, and Mr.
DRoMGooLE said he was an advocate OF or
der, and he hoped the matter would have
all immediate Investigation, and that the
character of the House would be support
ed, regardless of consequences TO lndl'
viduals. Mr.. BaIcGs said, 1t had long
been remarked, that something must be
done to change the manners of this House,
or that i. must be dissolved. We had
now come to point in which personal
abuse must cease or the House he broken
no. MIR. BANKS said the character OF this
body had undergone melancholy change.
Gross vulgarity, and personal violence
were as common here, every day, as on
the muster ground or the race field. IF
this state of things continued, we must go
home and tell the people, that party spirit
or some spirit had seized upon this body
and utterly destroyed its character and
utility. Other members spoke, in the
same strain. At length resolution was
adopted for the appointment Of commit
tee os FIVE members to investigate the facts
of the disorder and personal violence oc
curing this day, in the House, between
:wo Of is members, with power tn send
for persons, and directions to report with
all proper dispatch. The Committee
we're directed to 60 into session immedi-
ately.
Mr.. WISE expressed the hope that the
matter would not be suffered to 60 over
10 another day. |, was supposed that the
committee woull soon report; but they
did not report, though they went out at
two o'clock, and the House was in session
till eleven o'clock at night.
1t appears that while Mr.. WISE was
speaking on the subject Of the handbiIl,
many members were conversing abnu, il
in an excitedmanner. Mr., BYSua, who,
by the way, is out of health and is seldom
in the House, was passing between the
desks, near Mr.. II. GARLAND's seat, and
remarked, in allusion to the circular, sit
looks very suspicious, coming out as it
did on the eve of the Virginia election"
M. GARLAND turned TO him, saying.
"uou are ID lar" "uillaio,'
"thief," &c. was quickly rctorled. Me.