Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-03-16

viding for the civil and diplomatic appropriations
for the ensuing fiscal year. which on motion was
referred to the Committee Of the whole House
on the State of the Union.
Mr.. Smith, of Illinois, asked leave to intro
duce a joint resolution, to give certificates OF
service to all engaged in the war with Mexico.
Objections being urged, it was then passed over.
Mr.. Jacob Thompson moved an amendment,
providing for the grant of bounty lands to those
who served in the war with Great Britain, in
1912.
Hon. VIM A. Richardson, of Illinois, moved
TO amend it. by giving bounty lands 10 the fami-
lies of soldiers who died before reaching the
seat of war.
MIR. Haskell, of Tennessee, proposed sub
stitute that promotion be considered as an hon
orable discharge, and entitled officers to bounty
lands. Also, if they died before they reached the
seat Of war; that their heirs should receive bounty
lands. 1t was further debated, aud on motion,
referred to the committee of the whole on the
state of the Union.
FRlpAY, March 10.
Senate-A petition was presented by Mr.. Dali
las, praying for the purchase Of the estate of
Mount Vernon by the Government, and its pres
ervaton aud Improvement Us national property.
On motion Of Mr.. Sewer, the Senate went
into Executive Session.
House. The House resolved itself into Com
mittee of the Whole upon Privnte bills, Mr.
Brodhead Of Pa. IN the Chair.
After some time spent without action the Com
mittee rose, there being no quorum present.
1t was then moved to adjourn, aud the House
divided upon the motion.
While the tellers were engaged in the taking
of the question. quarrel between Mr.. Haralson
of Georgia and Dir. Jones of Tennessee, broke
out in the shape of fight, IN which the parties
employed the weapons with which Nature has
endowed them. with much industry and effect
The difficulty sprung up in the following man.
ner: when they come to vote, Jones charged
HARRISON with inconsistency. Some hasty words
followed, until Jones gave the lie.
Enraged at this HARRISON returned the lie
with blows after which they cinched each
other With great fury.
The confusion at this moment was iDdiscriba-
BILE. The Speaker in vain endeavoring to restore
order, members overturnlng their desks as they
started from their seats, those in The immediate
vicinity of the bellgorents crowding around and
attempting to stop them, added to the noise of
the contest, combined to render the whole su-
premey disgracelu; only the fear lest serious
harm might be doue to one or both of the COM
battunis, saved it from being disgusting.
AT last, by the exertions of the other mem.
bers, the brawlng Legislators were separated.
When the heat of quarrel was somewhat cooled
off, they returned to their senses and manifested
a degree of shame for the outrage they had COM
mi.ted. Each of them then proceeded to make
an apology 10 the House they affirmed that up
to the moment OF the quarrel perfect ri and
ship had existed between them; but of course
such shameful affair could not be suffered to
end in that manner
Mr.. Palfrey moved that when the House adj
journed it should adjourn TO Monday, in order
that perfect calmness OF feeling might be restored
before business should be resumed. The motion
was agreed to.
Mr. Jacob Thompson, of Miss, submitted a
resolution Tor The appointment of Select Com
mlttee OF live TO inquire into the nature, causes
and circumstances Of the rencontre, and to re-
port to the House thereon.
Mr.. Stevens, of Ga, opposed the appointment
of such committee.
Mr.. Hunt Of New York, supported it.
Mr.. Mclean, of Nd, announced to the House |
that the gentlemen involved in this unfortunate |
difficulty had already apoiogized to each other
and that as far as they were mutually concerned
the affair was at an end.
Messrs HARRISON and Jones, the recent belip.
erents, then shook hands in the presence of the
House.
A good deal Of discussion on the subject fol-
lowed, in which several members participated. |
They commended that the dignity of the House
required an Investigation, with view to CEN
sure or expulsion OF the offending parties
Finally, Mr.. Stevens of Ga, proposed sub |
stltu.e for the resolution of Mr.. Thompson, dis
pensing with the Committee. This having been
adopted, the apology Of the parties was entered
upon the Journal OF the House, and so the mat.
ter ended. Then, on motion, the House adj |
iourned,