The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-04-26
WHOLE NO. 1888

Wisconsin, opprohending collision be.
tween Messrs. Benton and Foote. en-
deavored to deiain tho former from NOV.
ing from his seat. but overcoming all re.
sistance he coEtinited towards Mr.. Foote,
who, leaving his place, stepped down ii.
to the main aisle; and took position on
the area just in front Of the Sergeant at
Arms seat. at the right oflhs Vice Pres
lden'' and drawing pistol from his bo.
some, cooked it.
The scene which ensued is indiscri!
bable! Lour cries for Sergeant. at Arms.
aud cries Of "Ordef" resounded from All
sides of the Chamber. Great excite.
ment IN The Senate. Mr.. Benton was a.
bout to attack Footew hen the latter drew
a pistol, retreating to the centre OF the
Hall, and it was by the most strenuous
eforts that the parties were kept from d
collision. Many persons rushed from
the gallaries and out of the Chamber in
apprehension of general .TaSlee. Sew
eral Senators surrounded Mr.. Foote.--
MIR. Dickinson took the pistol from him.
Mr.. Benton, meanwhile, was struggling
in the hands Of his friends, who were en-.
deavOing 10 prevent him from reaching
MIR. Foote. Mr.. Benton denounced Mr..
Foote as an assassin who had dared I'd
bring pistol in the Senate to murder
him. He said, IL have no arms, EXAM
Inc me. carry nothing Of the kind:--
Stand out of the way and let the scoun4
drel assassin fire." In uttering this sen
tence. Mr.. Benton threw of those who
held him. tore open his vest, and invited
the FIRE Of his antagonist. Mr.. Foo,e, in
the meantime was restrained from ad.
yancing towards Mr. Benton.
The Vice President, after repeated
and vigorous efforts, succeeded in resto.
ring order aud comparative quiet.
Messrs. Benton and Footo having re-
sumed their seats. Mr.. Foote inquired if
he could proceed in order. Mr.. Benton
in very loud tone and Very much excl
ted, demanded that the Senate should
take cognizance Of the fact that pistol
had eeubiought here to assass;nate him.
Mr.. Foote explained. He had no in
tention 10 attack any body. His whole
course had been that of the defensive.
1 He had been informed that an attack up
on him had been intifated, and sdppos-
ing when the Senator from Missouri ad-
vanced towards him, he was armed and
designed 10 attack him. he advanced to
the centre Of Chamber. in order to be in
tt,I,a ba
ton in the main aisle upon equal terms.
Mr.. Benton protested against an init,
nation that he carried arms. He never
did so.
The Vice President requested Mr..
Foote 10 take his seat until it would be-
ascertained what course was proper for
the Chair to pursue.
MIR. Hale could not let such tratssc-
action as had just been witnessed 60 to
the country without an investigation.
Mr.. FooIe. II court it"
Mr.. Borland said he never knew Mr..
Benton 10 carry arms.
Mr.. Benton, in his seat mo, never!"
Mr.. Dodge moved that committee of
seveu DO appointed to investigate the
subject.
Mr.. Clay expressed hope that Messrs.
Benton and Foote would go before ma.
gistrate or else pledge themselves before
the Senate, no, to commit breach Of the
peace.
Mr.. Benton. have done nothing to
authorize charge of intention to COM
nit breach Of the peace. and | would
rot in Jail before l give a promise by
which admit such thing.
Mr.. Foote was willing for investigation.
He had only prepared himself for an at
tack against which he had been warned.
He felt bound, as a man of honor, TO
take the proceedings elsewhere.
Mr.. Benton greeted this with con-
temptuous laugh.
A committee was appointed, and the
Senate adjourned.
HoUsE---.Afier four ballotings this
morning, McCIinlock Young. of Illinois.
Democrat. former Commissioner in the
General Land Office. was elected clerk
by one vote. on the 9Th ballot, as follows:
Young 06; Prinaie, Wing, S; Walker,
subordinate clerk. go.
The Speaker declared Mr.. Young,
elected, and said the House could not
transact business until the Clerk elect
was qualified.
The House adjourned.