The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-02-16
WESTERN DEMOCRAT.
Charlotte, N G
THE FIGHT IN CONGRESS.

THE FIGHT I'm CONGRESS.
The Washington States of the 9th inst,
contains an account of the fight that oc
CURED in Congress during the debate upon
Mr. Hughes resolution to refer the Presi-
dents message, relating to the admission
| of Kansas, to a select committee. Mr.
Harris, of Illinois, offered an amendment
to the resolution. that the committee con-
sist of fifteen members with power to send
for persons and papers. and thereupon
moved the previous question.
| Mr. Stephens, of Ga, protested against
| this course, and thought if ma ajority were
determined to force it, the minority at
least ought to have hearing. Then com
menced a series of lodges to prevent
vote On Mr. Harris amendment. Motions
innumerable were made on every possible
| pretext calls of the House followed at reg
ginning to get hoarse from answering yea
or may to their names. Motions for ad
iournment were squashed; motions for
| recess were laughed at; motions to go into
tempt; motions to be excused from voting
were numerous; questions of privilege had
no chance; propositions for a compromise
moved the House to exceeding mirth and
laughter. The opposition of both parties
was kept up with good humor. At one
period, Mr. Jones, of Tenn, moved, in
good faith, that when the House adjourn,
it be to meet in the old Hail. We didn't
know what for, as tie motion was not en-
tertained.
An honorable member asked how long it
would take to "call the yeas and nays al
ready ordered"
Mr. Speaker. about four hours
1t will be seen that the opposition to the
Lecompton measure must have been strong.
as every motion to adjourn made by its ad
vocates was overruled by majority. Thus
there was no end to the moving of mem
bers in the House, although they dill not
move out of it. -........
Matters went ON in this way, and gener-
ally in a good natured and good -humored
wilfulness, until about swenty minutes to
two O'clock in the mornin 3, when '-Flodden
showed another sight,
All sorts of motions were being made
and Mr. Grow was moving towards the
Speakers chair, down the avenue, centigu-
Gus to which was the seat of Mr. Keitt.
Some honorable made motion.
Mr. Grow objected.
80 e.; ;1a Of
the House sir, and make your objections
there
Mr. Grow replied that ''he would make
his objections where he pleased" and in
discreetly followed up this remark by say
ing "he wouldn't be governed by a slave
driver
This was the tocsn for war. Mr. Keitt
struck Mr. Grow, who returned the blow,
and the parties clenched. The members
rushed in from all sides, hoping to end the
little row, but unconsciously contributing
to commence big one. Mr. Barksdale, of
Miss, interfered as peacemaker, and sue
ceeded in parting them. He was holding
Mr. Grow, when a crowd rushed up, and he
was struck. as he supposed. by Mr. Wash
burne, of Illinois. Mr. Barksdale turned
and gave Mr. Washburne several severe
blows, when they were parted.
The row went fast and furious right un-
der the Speakers chair, and in thorough
disregard of the presence of the occupants
of the reporters gallery.
Some thirty or forty members got so en-
tangled and jammed up that it was difficult
to see which was which, or which got the
worst or the best of the fight. Blows
were given and taken unfortunately. The
affair was timed by a sporting character
present, who says it occupied one minute
and a half.
Speaker Orr and the Sergeant alarms,
Mr. Glosbrenner, deserve credit and COM
mendation for the prompt energy with
which they succeeded in calming the
tumult.
When all was calm again, the House fell
back into its good humored ways, the "lit-
tie brush having walked up some of the
most unpatriotic, who dozed, unconscious
of the momentousness Of the occasion. The
members went on resolving. and moving,
and taking the ''yeas" and nays" until
after o'clock in the morning. when Gen.
Ouitman introduced resolution, suspend
ing action on all other motions, except the
previous question, (Harris' motion to refer
the whole subject to the select commttee,)
which was made, by exclamation, the
special order for Monday at o'clock and
the House adjourned, as Burns says, ''uP
in the mornin earlie.'
A RECIPE FOR a WIFE.
AS much of beauty as preserves affection,
As much of cheerfulness as spurns dejee-
ton,
OF modest Difference as claims protection,
| s.I At, A