The Shasta courier., 1858-05-01
The "Passage Mt Arms" Between Sena-
tors Broderick X and Bfgler.


In the T. s. Senate on the 18th March, while
the Kansas question was under consideration,
very interesting incident occurred, in which
Senators Broderick, of Cal, and Bigler, of Pa,
appear as the chief actors. We append the fol-
low report of the affair:
Mr. Wade came to discussion of the
Toombs' bill, and alluded to the parlor caucus
on that measure, when it was agreed according
TO an expose of Senator Bg!er) that there should
not be any clause inserted in the bill to allow
the people of Kansas the right to vote for or
against the constitution which it provided for.
Mr.. Stuart, of Michigan, said, in the absence
of Mr.. Douglas, who was sick, he would take
occasion to deny that any conversation such as
had been alluded to ever took place. This was
adirect hit at Mr.. Bigler, who was in the lobby.
He soon came in, and with considerable feeling
repeated the statement which he originally
made, and was enlarging with something of
pompous manner, seemingly on account of the
absence of Mr.. Douglas, when Senator Wilson,
of Mass, said he would like to ask the gentle
man from Pennsylvania (Mr. Biger) question.
He would like to know if that gentleman, when
he was in Kansas last summer, did not assert
in public speech that he was in favor of sub
mittng the Lecompton constitution, when it
should be made, to vote of the people of that
territory?
This was a stunning blow to Bgler. He
squirmed so much before he spoke word, that
the whole Senate was in a roar of laughter.
Finally he said he did not know what that ques-
tion. had to do with the case under considera-
ton; but he had no objection, particular OBJ
lection, to answering the question. He did sag
an Kansas that the Constitution ought 10 be submit
led TO the people, The effect that this seemed to
hova tha -,,,Ila
around him, caused him to add that if he had
been asked if the slavery clause would have
been sufficient, he would, without hesitation,
have said yes
At this point, Mr.. Broderick, of California,
obtained the floor, and remarked that he
thought it due to the Senator from Illinois, Mr..
(Douglas) who confined to his room by ILL
ness, that this debate should be postponed un-
til he could be present to- repel the statements
that had been made against him by the Senator
from Pennsylvania, whose present statement
seemed to him inconsistent with the one he had
made in the presence of Mr. Douglas.
Mr.. Bgler denied that he said anything con-
trary from what he uttered in the presence of
Mr.. Douglas
Mr. Broderick lin his seat) said he so under
stood it.
Mr.. Bigler replied that his impressions were
wrong, and went in rather thIea tenDg
style for little while when
Mr.. Broderck rose again. There was a dis
position in his immediate vicinity (among the
advocates of the Lecomptou swindle) to move
about and cough, when Mr.. Broderick docking
at MIR. Slidell) said, Senators have a habit OF
coughing and sneezing when some gentlemen
rise to address the Senate. II as rutgar trick
tchich is insuiting, and ,stish gentlemen scoutd
be guilty Off He uttered this last sentence with
an emphasis that will not soon be forgotten.
The coughing having ceased, Mr.. Broderick
turned to Mr. Bigler, who sits at his immediate
right, and referred to what he (Bigler) had sor-
mcrly said about the parlor caucus land said he
remembered that the Senator from Illinois re-
bukcd him for it, denying his statement, and
remembered when the denial was made, the eff
fectit had upon the Senator from nnsylvania.
He Tas tremuious in has manner, and su6missire IN
has fone!" This declaration created consdera-
BILE sensation in the chamber
Mr.. Bigler said he thought the Senator had no
right to characterize his manners. nor to inti-
mate that he had misrepresented Mr. Douglas
Mr.. Broderick, without noticing Blgler fur
ther, said he hoped the Senate would consent to
let the debate be postponed until Monday, at
half past l. o'clock
Mr.. Green, of Missouri, jumped to the floor
and uttered the following most extraordinary
announcement 81 hope postponement will
not be carried. THIS debate must be eaded,'
AT this, Senator Wilson, and several other
Senators sprung to their feet to repel the arro-
gance of the Missouri Senator, but Mr.. Critten-
den moved that the Senate adjourn which was
carried by yea and nay vote of 20 to Is. This
was purely an anti-Lecompton triumph, as Mr.
Pugh was the only Lecomptonite who voted fer
adjournment.
While it was popular sovereignty triumph,
IT was also personal triumph for Mr.. Broder-
ick, who defended most gallantly his personal
friend, Mr.. Douglas, from the attempt to mis-
represent him in his absence Mr. Broderick
displayed good deal of tack, self-possession
end ability in the debate and with the expert
snce Of this Congress, will become one of the
leading men in that body. The purpose of at
tempting to take the vote on Monday, appeared
70 be entirely abandoned