Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-01-20
sawatomie Brown down there to finish [" The
Virginians," a task he had been Intellectually
laboring to accomplish for months past.
CONGRESSIONAL,

the House on the 18th inst 1t seems that
a private committee, proposed by Wlnslow,
end made up of Democrats, Robinson, Craw-
ford and Winslow of Southern Opposition
McRae, Hill Mallory, Etheridge and Gilmer;
and of Anti Lecompton Democrats, Clark of
NY and Riggs of Ny had the fisherman
resolution of Clark of No. under considera-
ton. A substitute was proposed as fol-
lows
Whereas, the agitation Of the Slavery
question is productive of no good, but Of evil
to the whole country, its further discussion
ought to be discountenanced by the whole
House therefore
Resolred, That no man who has recon-
mended and still insists on, and does not
now disown, the doctrines expressed in the
extracts which have been read from ''Help-
er's Impending Crisis and who is not OPP
posed to the further agitation Of the Slavery
question is fit to be Speaker of this House.
This was to be passed around among their
friends for consideration, privately, but
somehow it got into the n. Y. Herald, no.
body could or would tell how. Out of this
grew a noisy and disorderly alteration hav
ing a sort of a personal bearing; till the
whole hall was in confusion and open vio-
lence was apprehended on every side.
Kisses from the floor and galleries. and
loud cries of order from all sides of the House
added to the general tumult. The Kisses
Z 81
and the Clerk rappings were frequently re-
peated. Soon the Sergeant-at-Arms adj
vanced, displaying his mace of Office, and
commanding the peace. Soon quiet was
partially restored.
Mr.. Harris (NId) claimed the floor.
Mr.. Morris CPa.) objected to all proceed
ings till order was secured.
The Clerk requested the gentlemen to
take their seats, and the request was COM
pli,d with.
Mr. Davidson wished to say that when
next he came to the House he would bring
his dooble-barrel shot gun with him. (Laugh-
ter
Mr. Wnslow moved that the House pro
coed to vote for Speaker.
Mr. Clark Of Mo, eyclaimed-Never, till
the House vote on my resolution.
Mr.. Harris, of Nd, remarked that he
would hereafter present the substitute agreed
on by the Committee, for Mr.. Clark resolu
ton.
Mr. Clemens. as a member of the Virginia
delegation, said he hoped never again to
witness such scene as that of to-day either
in public or private. He was standing four
feet from Mr. Haskins. and when the latter
addressed his colleague Horace F. Clark,
who had said at was none Of his business,
he saw Mr.. Haskins put his hand on his
breast and theretrom fell a revolver.
Here there were loud cries Of "Ordcr,
Order
Mr.. Haskins rose, saying that he regretted
the scene which had taken place.
Mr. Burnett would object to the gentleman
proceeding. unless he would say he would
not indulge in personal reA9 tons.
Mr. Haskins replied that be did not 50 in
tend. The gentleman from Virginia had al
luded to the fact that a frearm had fallen
on the floor. 1t was due to truth to say
that about the time he was talking somewhat
| excitedlv in reference to the harsh, and I'M
Just remarks by his colleague, pistol in his
breast pocket accidentally fell to the H0or.
No man who knew him believed he could use
n FiStol except in an honorable way. He re
gr tied that this accident had occurred. He
put the pistol in his pocket last night about
y clock to protect himself if necessary, for
he resided in the neighborh0od of English
Hill, where outrages have been committed,
and no wanted to feel secure in going home.
Until he came to Washington he never
thought it necessary to be armed. He did
not carry pistol for any purpose here. but
for his protection while passing through this
sometimes violent city. lie had seen occa-
sions when to protect himself from insult It
was necessary to carry arms. When the
| House 81 MID become organized he would ask
as a pledge of honor to the country that no
firearms be brought here.
Mr.. Florence and others exclaimed:-'Why
not now?'
NJ. Haskin resumed-He could assure
gentlemen that the falling of the pistol was
accidental. Therefore when it was said that
he either drew or attempted to draw pistol
that is stated which is not within the pale
of the truth. He would never use a pistol
unless he was uniustiy assaIled.
Mr.. Clark o. Y. being satisfied that the
remarks made by him were discourteous, and
led to this excitement, desired simply to say
that he ought not to have used the language
he DID, but that the question which his col
league addressed 10 Mr. McRae was on a sub
iect about which he had no business to en-
quire He was induced to make the mark
because he understood his colleague to ask
for further revelations of the Conference
Committee than gentlemen were disposed to
give, and he intended simply to suggest to
his colleague that he was wandering beyond
the scope of the subject matter before the
House. He regretted the error and apologies
ed to the House and his colleague.