The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-31
AImoss a Fight In the city Hall.

AlmOst klRht In the CITY Hail.
MEETING OF TIE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEES OF THU
CoUScILMEs-A SERIOUS RurruRK BETWEEN TWO
LAwyERs-ExJupaEw WHITING STRIKING FROM TUE
SHOULDER.
The meeting Of the Committee Assessments OF the
Board Of Councilmen yesterday scene rare and ro
markable The subject which the committee had under
consideration the petition Of certain property owners
on Lexington avenue who object TO paying more than half
the amount Of money for which they assessed to pay
the contractor for paving the avenue with Belgian pave
mcni from Twenty ninth Forty second streets, the
grounds work been done according to con
tract and that half the amount Of the cost was all that
they agreed 10 pay whom they pctroncd the Common
Council 10 have this portion Of the paved The
same matter been before committees OF the Comnon
Council before and there has been good deal said upon
ON this occasion er-Judee Whiting appeared On behalf
q the pettoaers Richard Mott was present as coun
sei for John T. More the contractor The counsel for
the petitioners the first who spoke, and he was con-
tnung monopose time By reading over extracts from
the HERALD and files OF legal documents which contanea
ttls or nothing that calculated 10 throw light the
subject under consideration Richard Mott fregueoty
requosted him connc himself either 70 facts or argu
rnents in order that time might be saved but as ocn as
the request made, sharp answer would DO receved
In reply OF course under such circumstances, the pro
ceedpgs could not remain long uninterrupted The pet
topcrsI counsel raised 10 pitch OF excitement
He stated that there sand between the stones on
Lexington avenue where the contract specified shout
have besu the Contractors counsel said "That
not true and we can prove II by Dozen Witnesses
Judge Whrg now became excited, and nj once re-
torted by ychcmeny exsaimns IYSpr statement ,a rs
permit you 10 speak 10 me In that way" sred
scene OF confusion at this point suddenly and abruptly
stoprcd the further progress Of business Every member
Of The committee Jumped 70 his feet and used all his
efforts 70 restore order All the parties woo were IN
teresed tired 70 shout Whist ,ney COULD u usuncauo,
room entered or lees into the spirit Of the scene
Amid such uproar II was utterly impossible 70 IN
derstand ali that SAID but the result OF TINS portion
OF the alteration was that the efforts OF the committee
a length sucent 70 arrange matters 30 that the
Who % s @ ne
piece which was by rar the most excited the play
was ye, 70 IN Judge whiting, who did no, choose
minutes Afterwards sad with much emphasis, when
drawing one Of bis conclusions that W he asssa
! would s,s,e a ralsebood--" in plain ~ a
re," said he, with increased emphsss and in
loud tone q yocs wnn Me-, ne f me tame
upon his feet and SAID something In contradiction 10 what
the petitioner counsel hsd affirmed with much vehe
loud hasty voice found impossible 10 ascertain the
exact words OF the second contradiction The confusion
instantly burst forth afteeh TX Judge whiting exclaimed
time he pulled OF his coat and with an unusual degree
expertness and agility, placed himself In pugistc st
tude and made a rush towards his opponent, who
an opposite side OF the ROOM and who at once put himself
in defensive position The members Of the committee
however, who were fortunately between ihe belscreus
yers who instantly nteposed their efforts In favor OF thu
restoration Of the ennn corddts succeeded after con
adorable dHculy, in restraining the wouldbe esssen
from coming In furious collision with hs opponent ID
room was the OF perfect tumut, one OF th
beeerens exciaing that he would not receive an nsul
from Goliath while the other who had not lost all his Sol
control, testify replied that the case would be different
the petitioners counsel had not received his fees tn
chairman the committee in vain threatened 10 adjourn
the meeting In vain were the belgerents assured ina
their conduct should be that Of gentlemen. In vain d
the clients use influence TO have order established
An was confusion TIL the two members Of the bar he
| wasted themselves. But the influence OF the "peac
parv', At length gained the asceudancy, and show
order was re established which by the adoption OF IN
usually Strict measures the committee very imperfect
! managed 10 maip,ain upta they adjourned,