Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-02-09
The struggle In TIT House.

The Kansas In the House.
The parliamentary struggle 10 the House
of Representatives, which commenced on
Friday afternoon last, on the pending motion
tor the reference of the Presidents Kansas
Message, was continued until Saturday morn
ing at ! o'clock, when the House finally ad-
iourned uutll Monday. The hours of the
night session were spent in q struggle to
present the taking of the question on the
motion of Mr.. ii |.rris, Douglas Democrat, to
refer the Message to q Special Committee Of
thirteen, with authority to investigate al
legged frauds by which the adoption of the
LecOmptOn Constitution was procured
Motions for a call of the House, for the ayes
and nays upon n variety Of trivial questions,
and similar parliamentary tactics were re-
sorted to. ln all these motions there was u
decisive though varying majority against the
administration At midnight, the sixteenth
vote was taken, and was on q motion for a call
Of the House. /. was carried-yeas i42,
nays l9. The House at this time presented
= remarkable appearance. The members,
worn cut aud sleepy, were stretched along
the sofas or reclining on the desks and seats.
\ hundred spectators still fingered in the
galleries, among whom was O lady apparent
Is deeply interested in the scene below. Up
to two o'clock, the struggle continued in a
g~ood-humOred though not at all disniied
manner, when a disgraceful and violent scene
occurred through m indiscretion upon the
part Of MIR. Keitt, Of South Carolina. From
the accounts given, be appears to have taken
offence ut the presence Of Mr.. Grow. of
Pennsylvania, one Of the Republican leaders.
upon the Democratic side of the House. An
ARRAY ensued, in which Mr.. keitt was
knocked down. The more violent members
on both sides rushed 10 the rescue, and for a
few moments the space in front of the
Speakers chair was the arena Of a regular
bout Of h~trcufs, in which some member
seem ~ have engaged with a readiness that
betrayed a familiarity with the mobile ar; of
-elf-defence." Fortunately, no other weapons
than those of nature were used. and the
damage done, except to the reputation Of the
House, slight.
The determined promtness of the Speak.
er, which was in admirable keeping with the
responsibilities of his position, and the good
temper Of the better portion Of the members,
with the aid IF the officers of the House was
etiectuaIIy used in quelliug the disorder
The struggle was continued for some hours
longer, but the painful sceneit had witnessed
evidently had 40 effect in impressing upon
the House the necessity Of q more d~ecorOus
and ccnciliatory spirit. and finally, upon the
motion OF Mr.. Qultnan. the House by unan-
lmOus consent a llOurned until noon Monday,
with the agreement that all motions pending
since the call for the previous question on the
.man1mens nf Mr. Harris shall ne With
drawn, and that at ! o'clock a vote shal be
tnken on the main question. disagreement
will at once bring out a declaration Of the
sense of the House, and it is presumed indi-
cate Its fDsl determination in relation to the
reception Of the Leeompton Constitution
But. timer.