The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-25

IN FINDING A LOCAL HABITATION-JoHN ENGLISH
ASSAULTS GREG. BARRETT is ARREsrED-rHE
CONVENTION CAN'TrJND ITS PRESIDENT AND ADJoURNs
WITHOUT NOMINATING
About ~ O'Clock last evening, the American
Congressional Convention for the 4th District met
according to notice, in the street. in front of the
New Assembly Rooms, Hanover street. The meet
ing intended to have been held inside, but, at
the hour named, the doors were not opened, and
the crowd assembled on the sidewalk. Inquiry be-
ing made as to the cause of the doors not being
opened, it announced that the Assembly Rooms
could not be had for the use of the Convention.
BY O'Clock the crowd had increased to about
300, including nearly all the notorious roughs in
the city, and the noise became very great. A car
riage drove up containing four men from the
western section of the city, who gave a tre-
mendous yell for 'Yelott," which was met by
another yell for "Davis." Jacob Muller, of the
Goth ward, then mounted the railway of the porch
and proposed that the meeting adjourn to Temper
ance Temple, in Gay street, which proposition met
with favor, and was carried, though one or two
men, in stentorian tones, opposed the proposition.
The crowd then started up Hanover street, but had
proceeded but few yards when the cry of eight"
eight" was raised The hustling and excitement
at this time was very great the friends of Messrs.
1eott and Davis using the names of those gentle
men as ralyng cries for their respective forces.
John English, delegate from the Goth ward, made
assault upon Greg. Barrett, but was arrested by
: Lieutenant Carmichael and marched off, which had
the effect of causing a temporary suspension of
hostiities, and the Convention resumed its journey
up Hanover street.
On arriving at Temperance Temple the members
of the Convention were informed that they could
have the use of room No. 5, whittier thev accord
ingly proceeded. The room was occupied at the
time by the Superior Council of the party, whose
deliberations brought to an abrupt termina-
tion by the crowd rushing in. The reporters for
the different morning papers took the seats usually
assigned them, and awaited further proceedings.
In a short time motion was made that Robt. NJ.
Bean take the CHAIR which met with violent op-
position and cries of "No-No," and the excite
m.nt grew intense. David Houck then moved that
Mr.. Eckles, of the 10th ward, take the chair,
which was vigorously seconded by the rough dele
cation from the western part of the city. Eckes
then ascended the platform, and was proceeding to
state the business of the meeting, when shout of
"dry up" and "keep quiet" greeted him, Joseph
Edwards, delegate from the 18th ward, being
particularly vocierous in his opposition.
Eckles stated that he haG no political aspirations
to crafty, and no personal ends to accomplish and
he would, therefore, vacate the chair with pleasure
If some other gentleman would take his place.
Eckles' friends, however, instantly set up vigor
Gus yell of opposition to his vacating the chair
Edwards, then, in loud and angry tone, de-
manded that the chair be vacated by Eckles, and
that some gentleman take it, who would put the
motion for the election of Secretary, which he
offered
Eckles said that they might appoint another
Chairman as soon as they pleased as he not con-
slider himself President of the meeting, and would
therefore entertain motion, as he only occupied
the seat for the want of another equally comfort
able. A motion was then made that Gregory
Barrett be appointed Secretary, but he declined
and started to leave the room. At this stage of
the proceedings one of the delegates from the 18th
ward swore sit was not fair, to which another dele
gate from up town retorted in belligerent manner,
TWhy in the h-ll, then, don't you make it fair ?"
Edwards
should not be held until they could find gentle
man to take the chair, which declaration brought
things to the highest pitch of excitement. Ed
wards was standing the reporters table,
and when he made this declaration, the crowd
gathered around him, completely Obstructing the
reporters view. Prominent in the crowd was
David Houck, who assumed hostile attitude to-
wards Edwards, the latter standing up manfully,
however, against the heavy odds. The noise be-
came so great that the reporter unable to dis
tlngulsh anything for some time; he was only pain
fully aware of the uncomfortable position he was
placed in-Edwards having hand on his (the
reporter's) shoulder whilst he was shaking the
other in the face of Houck. The expression on the
countenances of the two, at the same time, being
anything but amiable and fight seemed i'm
minent Houck had his hand on his pistol whilst
several others not at all particular whose
heads they fourished their deadly weapons, the
muzzle of one of them, in the hands of some one
unknown, coming in close proximity to the head of
the reporter Numerous motions were here made
for adjournment, and the reporter sympathizing
strongly with the motion, started out of the hall,
for the purpose of obtaining breath of fresh air
and Strengthening his nervous system, which was
considerably shaken by this exhibition of the power
OF Americans to rule America On his way out
the reporter met Marshal Herring, Capt. Mitchell
and Lieut. Carmichael in whose wake, after pru-
dent interval, he ventured to revisit the Con
vention.
Partial order was restored by the exertions of
the officers, when a motion was made that a Com
mittee of one from each ward be appointed to
lect permanent officers for the organization which
carried.
The Chair appointed the following persons as the
Committee: John Shaney, 9th ward; Erasmus
Levy, 10th ward; VIM. Kenan, 1lth ward; r. NJ.
| Bean, 18th ward; s. s. Addison, 18th ward Cap
tain Stine, 14th ward; Joseph Ii. Edwards, 18th
ward; j. n. Wright, 10th ward; B. F. Could 18th
ward; John English Goth ward
The 18th and 10th wards were not represented in
the Convention. The committee retired, and during
their absence the principal theme of conversation
was the "fun," as it was called, which had taken
| place. large police force remained in the room.
In the course of fifteen minutes the committee re-
turned and reported the following the permanent
officers: President, r. l.. Seth; Ist Vice President,
b. F. Gould; I'd Vice President Jacob Miller; Sec
retaries, George Delphy, of the 18th ward, and
Samuel Guest.
| Mr.. Seth not in the room when the report
| was presented.
John Shaney moved that Committee of three
| be appointed to wait upon him and inform him of
his election. Adopted.