The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-24

any bone, but inflicted slight flesh wound
| AS soon as some degree Of order was restored,
suggestion was made by Mr.. DROMGOOLE,
that the parties in the strife ON the floor be taken
into arrest by the Sergeant-atArms.
Other propositions were submitted, but before
| any action was taken,
MIR. RATHBUN rose, and in few well d.
rected remarks apologiZed to the House, and, as
well as we could hear, flor his back was towards
the reporter,) disclaimed any continued feeling
of unkindness for the gentleman from Kentucky
| Mr.. WHITE then rose in his turn, and allud-
ing to what had fallen from Mr.. R., said he
should be wanting in the feelings OF a civilized
man il he did not meet, at once, the tender OF
kindness from the gentleman from New York !;
whereupon Mr.. r. rose, and, turning round, ex-
tended his hand, which was grasped by MIR. w.
amidst the spontaneous approval Of the House.
The discussion reverted to a proposition by
Mr.. SAUNDERS, of N. c., for select commit
tee to investigate the circumstances that had
just TRANSFERRED and report the result to the House.
Mr. HOLMES, of S. c., (who was not pre-
sent when the transaction occurred,) came in,
boiling with Indignation at the violated sanctity
of the Hall, and moved TO amend the motion of
Mr.. Saunders, by proposition to expel both the
members.
Mr. WHITE, with proper spirit, repealed this
unjustifiabe assumption of guilt were no trial or
investigation had taken place. And declared that
the gentleman from South Carolina was the last
man in the Hall from whom, with the sentiments
of chivary for, which his State was famed he
should have expected such an unprovoked attack.
proposition to incarcerate him for life, or take
away that life itself, would be far more tolerable
than this assaultupo his honor.
MIR. HOLMES replied, and talked about the
dignity of the House great variety of propo-
sitions followed, and several members addressed
the House on their various merits but as we
have not room to giyo all the intermediate debate,
we will state briefly the results.
The afray between Messrs. Rathbun and
White was referred to select committee of five.
The individual (Mr Moore, of Ky.) who was
charged with having sought the life of member,
(Mr. McCauslen) by firing pistol at the said
member was not given, as was proposed by
some, into the hands of the civil authorities upon
this charge, but was ordered to be retained in
the custody Of the Sergeant-at- Arms, to await
the further action of the House. In reference to
this individual, Mr.. WHITE desired to make
personal explanation of a few words.
Some one 1--WE are sorry not to be able to re-
cord his nancy objected, and Mr.. RATHBUN
moved suspension of the rules to enable Mr..
w. to be heard. The rules were suspended.
Mr.. WHITE simply desired to say, and this
not so much for the House as for the country
that the unfortunate individual in custody Of the
Sergeant-at-Arms, although from Kentucky, as
he understood, was an entire stranger to him,
(Mr. W. and he had never spoken to him, nor
| known of his being here in this city.
| The House, on motion, adjourned.
| N. B. This explanation of Mr.. WIS was highly
proper. We understood, before it was made,
that reports were rife about the Capitol, and no
doubt they will find their way into Locofoco pa
pers, of Wing conspiracy, rufianism, bludgeons,
daggers, and pistols!