Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-03-05
Important from Washington.
WASHINGTON, Feb. ?6, Is.

WASHINGTON, Feb ?6. lSj7.
Instead of the Corruption Committee Report
the House began this morning to consider the
several appropriation bills, including the Ar.
my, Navy and others, which are passed with
uncommon despatch. During the debate an
exciting episode occurred, arising from the dif
fculty of Tuesday last, between Sherman Of
Ohio and Wright of Tennessee. About y
O'Clock, Wright, accompanied by Savage Of
Tennessee, walked over to the seat behind
Sherman's, which is rear the door, rather to
the left of the Speaker.
Wright's friends allege that he only went
to speak with Mr.. Harris, of Maryland, in the
rear of Sherman's, while, on the other sde it
is asserted, Wright evidently had purpose Of
insulting Sherman, so as to provoke him to a
duel. Mr. Sherman, acting on the impression,
and thinking he saw or heard something il the
conversation or manner of Wright TO confirm
it, tossed handful of waters in the Tennes-
scans face, thus throwing the responsibility Of
challenging on him--a responsibility which
previously was supposed to lie on Sherman in
consequence of Wright's imputatiOn Of false
hood in the debate of Monday
Of course the waters were not paiatable,
and a row enSued. Wright, it is avered, put
his hand suspiciously in his left breast pocket,
and Sherman sprung on and struck at him, but
was seized by Wakeman of New-lork.-
Wright was simultaneously seized by Watkins
of Tennessee, and Savage, and escorted to his
seat. A great deal of writing ensued among
the parties, friends collected in groups around
them, and at the last advces, MeSSrs. Savage,
Harris and Keitt, were engaged in earnest
consultation outside of the Hall If any cha
lenge should pass, it must necessarily have
come from Wright but his friends, keltt aud
Savage, have determined that no such demon
straton, under the circumstances, is required
WASHINGTON. Feb. ?7, 1851.
The House was occupied all day to ate
hour on the Report of the Investigating 0on'
mittee.
Mr. Gilbert made speech which lett an
impression in his favor He did not talk IKE
a guilty man. The House refused him trial,
which Gilbert admitted the impracticabIllty I"
at this late day, and he then resigned. IL '"tn
laid all proceedings in regard to bis case Ou
the table.
Mr.. Matteson sent in his resignation through
Mr.. Morgan, ou the ground that the actIonO
the body in Gilbert'S case showed that ne, 'W'
would be denied trial before the bar OF 'le
House. The resolutions of the Committee ID
his case were then taken up and passed. "a
cepting the one for expulsion, which was sus' %
pended by his resignation. The first resolu.
tion, declaring him guilty of corrupt prac'I.es
in the Des Moines grant, had but II yotes
against it. On the second, declaring him gun.
ty Of defaming the character of the House y!
charging corruption on its members, ana tHus
proving himself unworthy to be MEMBER u
it, there were IS votes for laying it on tne %
BILE. A vote on its passage was then 'aA0"'
and it passed without a division.
Mr.. Welch's case next came up, and ne "tn'
to trial on the testimony presented by the 'V,a ~,
mittee Mr. Stanton of Ohio opened III U.'
favor by an able luminous, complete argulnehn;, Ii,
which seemed to determine the House Id u, i
favor. He was followed by Messrs. oe""%
of Georgia. Smith of Virginia and Harris =,
Maryland on the same side. At ococh InS
House had not voted on the case, but IL N"'
highly probable that it would reject the ;.
of the Committee and eXcul"''
Mr. Welch.
Ten, z. M-The House has just adoalU'u
after action on Mr.. Wclch'S case, eXcull'"'I"e