Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-02-11
THE KANSAS STRUGGLE IN CONGRESS

1 we COpy HULL tue DdiCl1QOre american:
The parliamentary struggle in the House of
Representatives, which commenced on Friday
afternoon on the pending motion for the refer
ence of the Presidents Kansas Message, was
continued until Saturday morning at Z O'clock,
when the House finally adjourned over until Mon
day. The hours Of the night season were spent
in struggle to prevent the taking of the ques-
ton on the motion of Mr.. Harris, Douglas
Democrat, to refer the Message to Special
Committee of thirteen, with authority to inves-
t,gate alleged frauds by which the adoption of
the Lecompton Constitution was procured
Motions for call Of the House, for the ayes and
nays upon a variety of trivial questions, and
similar parliamentary tactics were resorted to
by the Administration party In all these mo-
tons there was a decisive though varying majo-
rity against the Administration. At midnight
the sixteenth vote was taken and was on mo-
ton for a call of the House. It was carried
yeas 142, nays 1e. The House at this time pre-
sented a remarkable appearance. The members,
worn out and sleepy, were stretched along the
sofas or reclining on the desks and seats. A
hundred spectators still fingered in the galleries.
among whom was lady apparently deeply in
terested in the scene below. Up to two O'clock
the struggle continued in good-humored tho
not at all dignifed manner, when disgraceful
and violent scene occurred through an indiscre-
ton upon the part Of Mr.. Keitt, of South Caro-
lima. From the accounts given, he appears to
have taken offence at the presence of Mr.. Grow,
of Pennsylvania, one of the Republican leaders,
upon the Democratic side of the House, and at
tackled that member first by insulting language
and then by actual violence. An ARRAY ensued,
in which Mr.. Keitt was knocked down. The
more violent members on both sides rushed to
the rescue, and for a few moments the space in
front of the Speakers chair was the arena of a
regular bout Of fsticuffs, in which some members
seem to have engaged with readiness that be-
trayed a familiarity with the "noble art of self
defence" Fortunately, no other weapons than
those of nature were used, and the damage done,
except to the reputation of the House, slight
In the United States Senate on Monday Mr.
Allen, presented the resolutions of the Legisla-
- III. The resolution refer ssrs
mig the Presidents Kansas Message to the
Committee on Territories was taken up. A re-.
solution from Senator Wilson proposing to send
for persons and papers and examine into all the
facts connected with the adoption of the Lecomp-
ton Constitution was rejected by majority of
six votes, and the reference to the Territorial
Committee prevailed. Pending an effort ON the
part of Senator Douglas to call up his motion
oohllS tue ITeSIueHG IOr 1nIOfmaCOn upon Nam
sas affairs the Senate adjourned
In the House, according to the agreement
adopted upon Saturday morning, the first busi-
ness taken up was the call for the previous
question upon the motions for the reference of
the Presidents Kansas Message The call was
sustained, and the question then recurring on
the motion to refer to the Committee on Terri
tories it was lost, yeas 113 nays ia The a.
mendment of Mr.. Harris, referring the Message
to a Select Committee of Thirteen to inquire
into all the facts relating to the formation and
adoption of the Lecompton Constitution was a
dopted, yeas ia nays Ill, and motion to re-
consider the vote just had laid upon the table by
a vote Of yeas 115 nays Ill. Mr. Keitt, of
South Carolina, made an apology for the viola
ton of the deeorum of the House on Saturday
morning, admitting that he was the aggressor
and taking the entire responsibility of the occur
renee upon himself. He denied any knowledge
of having received blow during the collision.
Mr.. Grow also apologised,. and the House then
adjourned
It will be seen from the above that the Adj
has carried its point on the refer
ence of the Kansas message, in the Senate, whilst
the opposition have triumphed in the House,
The House proceeding will necessitate an inves-
tigation which may consume weeks, whilst the
Territorial Committee Of the Senate will proba-
bly, promptly report the Lecompton Constitu-.
ton back with a recommendation in it's favor.
1t may then be hurried through the Senate and
sent to the House for concurrence, and the final
struggle this precipitated
mn nonx1ac r,1Sxry rr a rru,nore, et1r1, 4 W.