Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-11
Excitement in Congress
Mr.. Keitt Assaults Mr.. Grow.
And is Knocked Down!
A GENERAL FREE FIGHT!
Attempt to Refer the Presidents Message--The
Lecomptonites in Minority---Adjournment
to Monday, when the Vote is to be taken.

The United States Senate was not in ses-
sion Friday, having adjourned over from Thurs
day until Monday
HoUsE.-In the House, it was the most ex-
citing day of the session thus far, 1t was vot
ed inexpedient to allow further time to take
supplementary testimony in the Ohio contest
ed election case-VALLANDTGHAN rs CAMPBELL.
j. d. WILLIAMSON, the witness in the Tariff
Investigation, submitted his amended answer,
and it then appearing that he had answered
all the Committees ques tions promptly, he
was, on motion of Mr. STANTON, the Chairman
of the Committee discharged from custody
The Lecompton question then came up. Mr.
HARRIS, of Illinois, withdrew the resolution he
mad previously submitted for sending the Mes
sage and Constitution to the Committee on
Territories and submitted another in its place
calling for Select Committee, with the view
of obtaining all the information possible rela-
tive to the formation of the Lccompton Con
stitution-the Committee to consist of fifteen
to be appointed by the Speaker, aud to have
power to send for persons aud papers The
Speaker decided that the resolution could on
ly be offered as an amendment to the motion
of Mr.. HUGHEs, Of indiana for a Select Com
mittee Of thirteen, whereupon Mr. HARRIS I'M
eXpectedy acquieSced in the ruling of the
Speaker, and in order as he said to ascertain
the fate of his resolution at once, moved the
previous question. This was the signal for
the utmost confusion Mr. HARRIS was in
vain appealed to to Withdraw his resolution,
aud moved call of the House Counter-mo-
tions, motions to adjourn. and motions for al
most every conceivable purpose, were then the
order-ths being the method taken by the
factious Lecomptontes, who found themselves
in q decided minority to stave off direct
vote. Finally at 6 1-2 o'clock Saturday IN )rn-
ing, Mr.. QUGrMAN submitted resolution that
the House adjourn till Monday next, when
the subject now under consideration (the Kan
sas Message) shall be resumed, and the vote
on the pending proposition shall be taken
without being farther delayed by debate or
dilatory motions
Unanimous consent was given to the intro
duction of the resolution, which was agreed
to, and the Speaker announced the House adj
journed till Monday, when the subject will
come up as the special order.
Daring the session, at about two o'clock in
the morning a rcncontre took place between
Mr.. Grow aud Mr. KEIrr, of South Carolina,
which is thus described in the New York pa
perS -
Mr.. Grow objected to Mr. QUIrMAy's max
ing any remarks Mr.. kErr said " If you
are going to object return to your own side
of the House" Mr.. Grow responded This
is a free hall and every man has right to he
where he pleases." Mr. KErrr then came up
to Mr.. GROW and said, d" | want to know what
you mean by such an answer as that" Mr.
GROW replied, I" mean just what l say
This is a free Hall and man has a right to
be where he pleases" Mr. KEIrr-( taking
Mr., GROW by the throat said, "I will let
you know that you are a ID Black Repub-
iican puppy" Mr. GROW Knocked up his
hand, saying, shall occupy such place in
this hall as | please, and no nigger driver shall
crack his whip over me-" Mr. KEIrr then
again grabbed Mr.. Grow by the throat, and
Mr.. GROW knocked his hand off, and Mr..
KEIrT coming at him again, Mr. GRow knock
ed him down
Correspondence of the New York Times.)
WASHNGToS, Saturday Feb. G. 1853
The telegraph has already given YOU a gene
raj statement Of the fact that we had grand
row in the House of Representatives at about
4 O'Clock this morning, but some additional
particulars may be found of interest. The
Anti-Lecompton men yesterday determined to
have vote at once upon the proposition of
Mr.. HARRIS TO refer the Constitution of Kan
saS to a Select Committee, with Instructions
to investigate the frauds alleged to have been
committed in connection with the formation
of that instrument and the elections held un-
der 1t. The LecOmptonites, upon counting
noses, found themselves decidedly in the mi
nority, and SO determined to stave off the vote
until they should have had time to consult
and, if possible effect changes enough to save
defeat So they began the game of factions
opposition, resortng to calls of the Yeas and
Nays on motions to adjourn, calls of the House
&c, &c This they kept up from 8 O'Clock
yesterday afternoon until this morning, the
Anti LecomptOn men pressing steadily for a
vote on the preyous question, and expressing
their determination never to yield it, The
Douglas Democrats were as firm and unyeld
ing in the contest as the most faithful of the
Republican leaders, and deserve all praise for
their conduct.
Everything passed of, however, in excellent
temper, and with less excitement than is usual
to night sessions, until nearly A o'clock this