Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-06-14
Congressional.
From the Correspondent of the Charts. Cour
WASHINGTON, May 80

w AShlNO lON, May OO
The illness Of Mr.. Southland, the
President pro. TEN. Of the Senate, has
prevented him. for some time, from
attending in his place in the Senate
He is now at Fredericksburg, in Vir-
gihia. and in very critical situation
$50 much so that his recovery IS de-
sbsired of. 1t is rumored, to-day.
tha, he will resign his place as Presl-
dent ofthe Senate tomorrow.
Great excitement exists, in this city
in consequence Of the attempted, and
probably successful, assassination Of
Pettrich, the Sculptor. The affair is
enveloped in mystery. Pettrich is
man Of blameless life, Of stern integri-
ty, ard perfectly inOfrensive, and,
withal so poor that mouse could not
get crumb from him. His family,
which is a numerous is starving in
Philadelphia. He has been disap,
pointed, from time TO time, in getting
work from the Government or from
individuals, and is in a condition Of
extreme poverty. This excluded the
supposition that robbery was the OBJ
iecf. As he was entering his studio,
last night, about half past nine o'clock
he was followed by two men. He
struck light with match, was i'm
mediately seized by his arms, which
were forced and held behind him, by
one man, while another stabbed him in
several places. There were four dan
gerous wounds. His cries for help
brought several respectable citizens to
him. The studio was Immediately
opposite the south wall of the Presi-
dents house, and not far from the
Treasury office. Pettrich is still liv-
ing. He cannot tell who were the as
sailanis, nor the motive Of the assault.
Some suppose that the motive must
have been professiouarivalry. There
is some work--a statue Of Washington
believe--to be executed for the New
York Custom House, which Pettrich
would probably have obtained. Some
suppose that this was the cause of his
murder. The feeling on the subject
is deep and misunderstanding even
The halls Of Congress and the Presi-
dents house. Many Of the carriages
oil the IOTeIgu ministers, ana or lue InUs'
eminent citizens of Washington, have
been at the studio during the day
The President was there early this
morning and wanted to remove Mr.
Pettrich to his mansion, but the sur
geons considered it impracticable.---
No cite has yet been found TO the as
sassins.
In the Senate to-day, Mr.. Benton
gave notice that he should soon Offer
proposition TO repeal the bankrupt
law, as unconstitutional and void.
The apportionment bill was taker
up, and Mr.. Young moved to recon
slider the vote by which the Senate
rejected the ratio of 74,6O7. Thi:
was rejected--yeas 20, nays &c.
Mr.. Barrow resumed his motion Il
I'll the blank with II, 1875. But sub
sequently, at the suggestion Of sever
al gentlemcn,he modified it to 20, $50
After long debate this ratio was car
ried-yeas IS, nays Is. This will
give about cit members. There il
no idea that House will concur.
The Senate was a short time in Elk
ecutive session.
In the House motion was made
to alter the time Of meeting from 10 t
IL O'Clock, and to take recess daily
from half past 2 III 4. But this wa
not carried for want Of two-thirds
though there was a majority for it.
Mr.. Fillmore proposed to take tn,
Army Appropriation bill out of Com
mittee, tomorrow, but the motion wa
laid on the table. The Army bill wa
further discussed during the sitting.
The House seems to be possesse,
with spirit Of rsdicalism: They vii
overthrow, il they can, all the defen
ces OF the country, before they &c
through. The speeches Of Messrs
Holmes and Gushing against their de
algns were replete with souud argu
ment and patriotic views, but they haC
lear,little effect with Congress. TIL
argument urged in the House, to-day
against all these establishments, wa
.na' there was no money to keep then
up.
WASHINGTON, May 81.
The Senate to-day, did not procee
" business until some time after til
usual hour. Intelligence having bee
sreceIved that the resignation of Nj
SOuthardw was to be communicated, bot
parties were busy in caucausing fc
Dis successor.
The Inc Senate was ultimately called t
Iroer Oy their Secretary, who read
!eseriFom Mr.. Southard, resigning hi
once as President Of the Senate, Of
account oil his continued i'll health.
WI Berrlen moved that the Senat
proceed to the choice of a Presiden
pro- tenn. There were, on the frs
U%''ot' 90 votes, Of which % were ne
CeSsaTy TO a choice Nj. M.~r,,.-.