Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-21
GEORGIA

| The Democratic party finding themselves ACCT
denally in the ascendency in both branches of the
Legislature OF Georgia, have brought in bill so
gerrymanderng the Senatorial and Congressional
Districts of the State as to virtually disfranchise
one half (says the Georgia Messenger) of the free
men OF the State-in other words, so arranging the
Districts as to stile the Wing voice for years to
| come.
| In the House of Representatives on the 18th
inst, the bill being put upon its passage, the Wing
members in body, with one exception, withdrew
| from the Hail. The vote upon the passage of the
| bill showed bare quorum present Had Mr.
Jenkins the Wing member, who decided to re-
main in his seat, joined his colleagues and with
drawn from the Hail. the Democrats would have
found themselves without quorum, and, there
fore, incompetent to pass the obnoxious bill, or to
transact any other business
On the 18th instant, after the reading of the
journal of the preceding day, Mr. Jenkins moved
to reconsider so much of it as related to the pas
sage of the bill to re-organize the Congressional
Districts In doing so, he took occasion to ex-
plain the position he occupied. He said that he
had probably dspleased many, if not all of his
own party, by refusing to leave the Hall yester-
day. If So he regretted it, but whenever the
| choice was between party behests and what he
conceived to be his duty to his country under his
oath as legislator the latter had been, and al
| ways should be his rule of conduct. And whilst
he did not blame his Wing friends for acting as
they had done, he begged to be allowed the privi-
lege of acting for himself in such matters Sc
veral other members also defined their positions.
The vote was then called for on Mr. jenkins mo-
ton to reconsider. Whereupon the Wings, with
the exception of Mr.. jenkins, again withdrew, and
on summing up the yeas and nays, it was found
that there was no quorum voting, the deficit being
occasioned by the absence of Mr. Hammil of
Dooley, Democrat who left for home that morn
ing. Only three members voted for the reconsi-
deration-Mr. jenkins and two others
On discovering that no quorum had voted the
Democratic leaders in the House looked "grave,
gloomy and peculiar" But there existed no pos
sible mode of remedying the difficulty. Sundry
calls OF the House were had, but quorum could
not be drummed up. This state of things lasted
from 10 to l o'clock when, having the power un-
der the Constitution, the remnant" adjourned UNI
til 3 o'clock.
AT half past two o'clock, the Democratic mem
bers, Senators and all, met in the Hall of the House
of Representatives for the purpose of consulta-
ton. Mr.. Lawton, the member from Scriven
county, offered resolution stating, i'll effect that
the bill in dispute was legitimate subject of e-
glsation, and that upon all such subjects wasthe
duty of all members present to vote, as that priv-
lege "was the highest known to civilized nations
NI,or
members, and gave rise to some debate. MIR.
Lawton rose to advocate it, and in doing so, ira
yelled somewhat out of the record Mr. Jones of
Pauding, called Mr.. Lawton to order Mr. Law
ton continued to address the Chair. Mr. Jones
again called Mr.. L. to order, but Mr.. l.. still con-
tinued to address the Chair, declaring that the re-
solution was intended for the protection of the
whole party, the gentleman from Paulding, (Mr
Jones0 included. Mr.. Jones rising in fury
"Protection Protection for me- How dare the
gentleman claim to be my protector? l scorn
such protection"
Mr. Lawton. Il scom the gentleman's Words
Upon the pronunciation of these words by Mr.. Law
ton, Mr.. Jones, who was in close proximity to him
caught up umbrella and threatened to strike Mr.
Lawton. " Strike" exclaimed Mr. l.. Whereupon
Mr. Jones made good his threat by bringing the aore-
said umbrella in close and severe contact with the head
OF Mr.. Lawton. The SC enes that ensued according
to correspondent Of the Augusta ChroncleJ defied
all description. Mr.. Woord President of the Senate
had the Chair and endeavored restore order but he
might as well have attempted to cutlery the deep
voiced thunder as be heard at that moment Cries of
"order," and motions to adjourn were made on all
sides, whilst Others hauling off the two comba-
tants, who looked not unlike two tigers at bay. But
blow had passed before the interference of friends
| had separated them.
The meeting finally restored ORDER or rather
dissolved by the Speaker OF the House of Representa-
tves. who called the "House to order-their hour of
meeting having arrived. During this outburst OF the
combatve propensity the Wings remained in the gal
ery very complacent and pacific spectators of this Sc
cond act of the strange eventtu drama now enactng
| in Miledgevlle
| At three o'clock, the remnant met again. and af-
ter several calls of the House. without being able to Sc
cure quorum adjourned until o'clock next morning.
Saturday, the 10th instant, had been fixed upon as
| the day OF final adjournment of both Houses
| LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY.
In the SENATE Yesterday the resol ution from the