The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-02-11
Disgraceful Affray in the House of Rep
resentives---The Kansas Message in the
House.
Correspondence of the Daily News.

IOOITeSpOuueuce VI tue DahJ ANS"o'1
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 1858.
Mr.. EDITOR After dullness un-
precedented. with such an array OF excl
ting topics before Congress, We had last
night and this morning in the House OF
Representatives, a little set-to between
two members of that august body, who
INDUCED themselves with tri6e of a
fight upon the floor Of the House,
in the presence of the Speaker and the
entire body of Honorablcs, that were not
in state of stupidy, asleep, or else busy
canvassing for the side they had espous-
ed, viz Leoompton or anti-Lecompton,
and from the many rumors that are a.
float, in reference to the affray,it was done
within, or nearly SO, the rules laid down
in Fistania, for the government of prize
fighters, and bruisers generally, and also
without auxiliary aids, other than that
which nature has provided.
Itappears that the contest in the House
upon Mr.. Harris motion, for an appoint
of special Committee to investigate the
Calhoun Kansas frauds was kept up un-
til this morning. Motions were made to
kill time and to prevent action being Ia
ken npon the subject During the night
many unpleasant incidents occurred, one
of which, that of personal encounter
between Keitt of South Carolina, and G.
A. Grow, of Pennsylvania. The follow
ing is one of the versions of the AFFAIR."
1t appears that about quarter before two
o'clock, while many members knowing
that there was no special business Oh
and no likelihood of vote, were loung-
ing and dosing in their seats or moving
promiscuously about the Hall, Grow,
whose seat is about the centre Of the wes-
tern side of the House, where the Repub-
lican members sit, found himself on the
opposite side, whose inhabitants are chief
ly Democrats.
In passage or aisle between the seats
leading from the Northeast corner of the
House, Mr.. Grow was quietly walking,
when Mr.. Keitt, Of South Carolina, and
Mr. Reuben Davis, of Mississippi, ap-
preached him. Mr.. Quitman had risen
and Mr.. Grow objected to his speaking
Said Mr.. Keitt, elf you want to object
you had better 60 to your own side OF the
House."
"Tbis is free land" said Mr.. Grow,
land every man has right to go where
he pieases."
"What do you mean by such an answer
as that 2" said Mr., Keitt.
~ mean just what l said, replied Mr..
Grow, and repeated the remark.
Mr. Keitt then seized him by the col
lar, exclaiming, 81 will let you know that
you are ID Black Republican puppy.
MIR. Grow thrust his hand aside with
violence, saying 81 shall occupy such a
place as l please, and no niger driver
Shall crack his whip over me-"
Again Mr.. Keitt seized him by the
throat, and was driven off by MIR. Grow,
and Oh the attempt being repeated, Mr..
Grow delivered well-aiued blow and
knocked Mr.. Keitt down.
Soon as the affray was noticed there
was a general rush from all quarters of
the Hall, and Mr. Barksdale, of Missis-
sippi, rushed in to separate the combat
ants. Mr.. Wasburne, of Illinois, who
has front seat on the Republican side,
thinking that be was going to help Keitt,
hurried into the melee and knocked Mr..
Barksdale's wig off.
For a short time there was furious
contest, but fortunately no one was hurt,
and the Sergeant at arms, who By the or
der eff the Speaker, parted the principal
conbatants, aud order was partially re-
stored. The Speaker was very composed
and collected in his manner, and imme-
diately after the combatants were separa-
ted, be directed the roll to be called upon
a motion to excuse a member FROM voting
and the business went on more quietly
than it had at any time during the day
or evening. About seven o'clock this
morning the House adjourned on a mo-
ton of Mr.. Quitman, until Monday, when
a vote is to be taken on a reference OF
the Presidents Kansas message.
KANSAS.