Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-04-12
From The Baifi,aOr, Am,ri,on

From the Baitinore american
DisGRACEFuL FRACAS IN THE PENNSYL.vA.
MA LEGISLATURE.-A most disgrscefu occurrence
took place IN the Pennsyvania House Of
on Saturday morning, while the House engaged in the
regular business before it. The persons concerned in
at the same political Loco) party The correspondent
the Philadelphia North American thus the particu.
lars:
HAREsBuRG, April g, 1913.
To-day, Mr. Sherwood reported from the Committee,
articles OF Impeachment against VIM Oyorcd, Of
Canal Commissioners. for attempting bride member Of
the Legislature While this report under considca.
hon, event occurred, without its parallel in the history
OF yvaniano less than attempt the floor Of
the chamber OF the House. and in sight Of the assembled
lawmakers OF Pennsylvania, to commit homicide take
life by violence and deadly weapons-by Mr.. McGowan,
member Ot your county delegation from Moyamensing.
Philadelphia. proceed to give you impartial history
of the transaction.
This morning, the State Capital Gazette issued with
the following article, under itz editorial head:
"You shall both have Office in the Custom House ii you
for the Tyler candidate for State Printer Porter
Bawey rnid TO McGowsn and Bacon Agreed was the re-
sPonse-and they did vote for him enough. In our
next we shall hold the public gaze every who has
been brbed."
To understand the above rightly i, will be necessary o
state that the inst days trial the Convention elects
State Printer, Mr. McGowan and Mr.. Benton both voted
tor Mr. Braiton, the caucus candidate for State Printer
When the Convention Friday another trial they
both, unexpectedly every voted for Dmock the
Governors candidate. Charges that they bought up
were then and have since been whispered about
Immediately after copies of the paper containing the
above article distributed in the House. Mr. McGownn
came upto Mr. Brat,an, the publisher Of the Gazette VINO
slndng the left Of the Speakers Chair back near
TO the of the of the Arms and
asked him. he the author Of that arnclel Mr. Brat.
said he was. MIR. MCGOWAN il is said swore at him
calling id rascal" such term, and spit
his face at the time throwing the paper him. Be-
fore he had an opportunity do any thing more, Mr. Brat
tand caught him by the collar, but upon loosing
hold, MCGOWAN raising chair. something Of scule en-
sued, and struck Battan the temple, nicting rather
bad wound
Mr.. b. then seized hold of the chair with both hands
and was pressing Mr. G.. back, when the latter renqush
ing the chair drew from inner pocket, the left breast
OF his roek coat dirk knife, raising it suddenly aud
turning II quickly III hs hand, for blow. Mr. Braon
dropped the chair and fled behind the Speakers
run, and around TO the night Of Clerks desk whore
Mr. Gowan caught up to him, and there, the presence
the assembled representatives, Of the pcope OF Pennsy
wanna, drove the unified knife his back but the blow
aightng fortunately the left shoulder blade the wound
inflicted, though ugly gnsh not serious No second
blow was struck believe; for the members rushed in and
arrested the further progress of the homicide
The knife taken from MCGOWAN and proved 10 nave
been bent into cure, by meeting with resistance OF
the shoulder bone. The force aud good will which the
blow given may be estimated from this fact-though
1t possible that the impetus the running gave
unusual force 10 the blow.
While this scene going on and after il had clos,d
the greatest and most intense excitement pevaied-he
whole house was in COMMUNICATIVE members rushed from
their into the before the Speakers chabusnes
for the time being was almost suspended After the knife
taken from MCGOWAN. he proceeded 10 his seat and
Mr. Braiton was taken into the Of the SergcanAi
Arms and the extent of his injuries examined.
As soon order could be restored somewhat Mr. De-
ford offered resolution to appoint of three to
examine and report the circumstances the assault
which was agreed To without debate, with amendment
increasing the committee FIVE and giving power to send
for persons and papers The Speaker appointed the fol-
lowing members the committee-MesSrs Deford FL
well, Morris, Hahn and skinner.
An hour after, constable the door of the House
wnh magistrates warrant for McGowan's arrest, on
the charge OF assault and battery with intent TO kill
There was no power % execute the on Mr. Nc.
Gowan while he was IN the House, but the suggestion
some ct ms friends he came out aud surrendered himself
when he taken before Justice Snyder and bound
m 5 lOOO for his appearance charge laid
IN the warrant The above is plain of the
they occurred without bias or prejudice of any kind