The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-06

-
The Geographic accounts of the dlsorderly
and disgraceful proceedings which took place a
few days since in the New York legislature,
rave but faint idea of the real facts OF the
case.
On Thursday last, while struggle was going
on as TO whether Mr. Snow or Mr. Smith should
represent the sixteenth assembly district of the
city of New York in the house, a series OF scenes
took place, thus described by an eyewitness
writing to the Herald We quote only the con-
GLIDING portion of his narrative, but it will be
found sufficient to show the tone and temper
of that dignifed body,
"The refusal of the Whigs-sustained by
Mr.. Shows vote--to take the question upon his
right to the seat, incensed the Democracy to a
high degree and they determined on Friday to
take the question in different form. Mr. Hat
field, member from Westchester, sent up a reso-
luton to the chair, declaring the seat occupied
by Mr. Snow vacant 1t was well known that
this resolution would be presented; consequent
" every member in the city was in attendance.
The speaker refused to entertain the resolution,
giving as his reasons, that the whole matter had
been disposed of yesterday An appeal from
this decision was made by Mr.. Walsh ; but Mr..
Heartt, the speaker, refused to entertain the ap
peal. This latter decision aroused the Demo
cratic portion of the House to high pitch of
excitement. Mr. Gushing, Mr.. Batch, and Mr.
Van Santvoord, deliberately accused the speaker
of trampling upon their rights-of being dis
gracefully Notwithstanding him with Ven
geance, and hurting him from the chair. The
remarks of these gentlemen were exceedingly
pointed personal, and sarcastic, and were more
bold, daring, and determined, than any observa-
tons pointedly directed to any presiding officer
who ever occupied tho speakers chair. This
contest commenced about one o'clock and
from that time the speaker with the authority
with him-most perseveringly resorted to every
scheme within their power to prevent vote
being taken upon Mr.. Hatfeld's resolution.
The disorder, and almost riotous proceedings Of
members, fully tested the power of the speaker
to preserve order; and he, finding that it would
soon become Indispensable to have call Of the
house made and knowing his incompeency to
preside in such an extraordinary emergency,
nbar doned the chair, and called Mr.. Underwood
to fill it. He was probably, also, induced to va
cate the chair on account of having before him a
resolution, sent up by Mr.. Harper Oem) de-
clarng the speakership vacant and moving TO
90 into new election for speaker.
"Mr. Underwood assumed the duties, and he
Strengthened out matters in short time. He
gave his decisions with promptness and impair
liality, and, though Wing, and when on the
floor participating with his party friends in the
contest, yet when he grasped the speakers NAL
let, his pariaity disappeared ard he endcavor.
ed, with all his power, to facilitate the business
before the house. But there was not perfect
order; one side was determined te remain in
session until the vote was taken and the other
was equally vgilant in preventing it. The Wing
portion finally absented themselves until the
house was left without a quorum; when, after
frutless effortst to keep sufficient number pres
ent, call Of the house was ordered. Upon
closing the doors, it was found, on calling the
roll that there were sixty-five present, eleven of
whom were Wings. Then further wrangle of
four hours took place; when, finally, at twelve
o'clock at night, the sergcant-at farms was des-
patched in search of members who had absented
themselves from duty TWAS nearly FIVE hours
longer before that officer appeared with suf-
| ficient number; when, after further finesse and
figuring, the vote was finally taken, and tho seat
of the sixteenth assembly district Of the county
of New York was declared vacant; and at six
O'Clock in the morning the house adjourned
having been in session nineteen consecutive
hours.
"The scenes throughout the day were truly
dsgraceful to that body of the Legislature II
would have astounded the constituents of many
of the members had they been present and wit
messed their conduct during the farce. 1t was
no uncommon expression to accuse each other
of falsehood, perversion of truth, and epthets
more fit to be uttered in threepenny groggery
than in the assembly chamber of the capital OF
the State of New York, where naught else but
dignity, honor, courtesy, and circumspecton
should dwell. The people are induced to think
that members of the legislature should be men
of highly cultivated intellect, of gentlemanly de-
pertinent, courteous manners, refined morals
and honesty of purpose But when the reports
of this days shame shall reach the people AS il
certainly wi-what respect will they have
either for the laws which are passed, or the men
who enact them To save the State from any
further disgrace, by a repetition of the scenes
of the last midnight, let this Legislature adjourn
forthwith, and the people, with one voice, will
respond, Amen !"