Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-02-17
News from all Parts of the Country
Washington. Feb. 6,


The House was in session all night,
mainly engaged in taking the yeas and
nays on motions to adjourn, eating,
smoking, sleeping, &c.
At about half past one A. NJ, a seri-
Gus afray occurred, which is thus mar
rated by a member and a witness:
Mr.. Grow objected to Mr.. Quitman's
making any remarks. MIR. Keitt said,
eff you are going to object, return to
your own side of the House." Mr.. Grow
responded-''this is free hall, and ev-
cry man has right to go where he
pleases." Mr.. Keitt then came up to
Mr.. Grow and said: II want to know
what you mean by such an answer as
that?' Mr.. Grow replied-ssI mean
just what I say-this is free hall, and
a man has a right to be just where he
pleases." Mr.. Keitt, taking Mr.. Grow
by the throat, said-..'I will let you
know that you are damned Black Re-
publican puppy" Mr.. Grow knocked
up his hand, sayingg-''I shall occupy
such place in the hall as / please, and
no nigger-driver shall crack his whip
overme.' Mr.. Keitt then again grabbed
Mr.. Grow by the throat. Mr. Grow
knocked his hand off, and Mr.. Keitt
coming at him again, Mr.. Grow knock
ed him down.
The reporter adds: The respective
friends of both parties rushed to the
rescue ;various members on each side en-
gagged in the fight, which took place in
the area fronting the Clerks desk. Mr..
Washburne, of Illinois, was conspicu-
GUS among the Republicans, dealing
heavy blows.
The Speaker loudly and imperatively
demanded order, and called on the
Sergeant-at-Arms to interfere. That
functionary, carrying his mace of Office,
together with his assistants, hurried to
the scene, and crowded into the thick
est Of the fight, iii which at least a
dozen members were engaged. Some
minutes elapsed before this fearful con-
test was quoted. Further difficulties
are apprehended.
Feb. s.-Gen. Calhoun is preparing
a statement to the public, relative to
Kansas affairs. He said in converse
ton with friend, and may repeat it in
his address, that he did vote in the con-
vention to submit the entire constitu-
ton, but was defeated, and then went
for vote on the slavery article, and
that there was an attempt to practice a
deception upon him as to the returns
from Delaware Crossing, but that cor
rection gives the Legislature to the Free
State party. He is of the opinion that
this leaves no room for contention
There is every probability that prop
osition will be offered in the Senate,
from the Lecompton-Democ party,
at the proper time, emphatically and
distinctly recognizing the right of the
people Of Kansas to alter their consti-
tuition whenever they see proper, any
thing in the Lecompton Constitution to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
Feb. 9.-The Herozd's correspondent
says: Speaker Orr will not be prepared
to announce the names of the commit
tee of Is, as called for by the resolu-
ton Of Mr.. Harris, until tomorrow
The majority will be men not opposed
to the admission of Kansas under the
Lecompton Constitution. It is pretty
certain that the Lecompton Constitu-
ton will pass. am informed on the
best authority, that quite number who
voted for the reference to the Special
Committee will vote for it's admission
on its final passage. Official informa-
ton has been received, that beyond a
doubt Free State Legislature and
Free State officers have been elected in
Kansas. 1t is understood that the Sen
ate will take up Immediately the Kan
sas business, and pass bill for the ad-
mission of that State, probably at the
same time with Minnesota.
The Times correspondent Caly
says he only expects to make one more
speech in the Senate, as disunion is at
hand. The plan is, on the rejection of
Kansas, for the delegations of South
Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Mis-
sissippi, to vacate their seats and go
home. 1t is supposed that these States
will at once call conventions for a dis
solution of the Union, and it is hoped
by these Southern States that Texas,
Louisiana and North Carolina will fol-
low suit.
No cool headed man here, of either
section, gives any Importance even to
the specific arrangements, looking to a
dissolution of the Confederacy.
St. Louis, 9th.-The Leavenworth
correspondent of the Democrat, SAYS
that the bill providing for a new Con
stitution has passed the Legislature.
Letters from Lawrence in the Leav-
enworth papers contain accounts of
the proceeding of the Board of Com
missioners to investigate the election
frauds. Mclean, Chief Clerk in the
Surveyor Generals Office, testified to
having sent returns of election to Platte
City, at Calhoun's request, and that he
had not seen them since; that the Del
aware Crossing returns had never been
received at Lecompton.
This was doubted, and Sheriff W ak
er was despatched to Lecompton to
search Calhoun's office. He found
buried in the ground under wood pile,
the identical returns which Mclean
Sworo to haviDp sont to PIatfa r;+,-