Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-02-28

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said that there were snerbers present who refused
to answer totheir names, and Sc would not Be sur
prised If it was the result Of caucus arrange
ment 49, -
The Speaker, in, great excitsmsnt asked II the
member from Bedford meant 10 charge thai ne was
privy TO that arrangements MI. MuIlns repneo
/ that he would as soon suspect the Speaker as any
/ BODY else The Speaker sprang from his chair, and
pronounced the member from Bedford " God
damned old liar at the Same time emphasizing his
remark by throwing his mallet at the offending menu
ber but it fell short of its marx upon the floor. The
tina honored instrument of legislative order shot
vide of its mark, and fell harmless Mr.. Mullins
retorted by calling the Speaker a damned old
seoundreL" regular set-to seemed inevitable but
the members rushed around each of the infuriated
parties, and prevented a collision. The confusion
which had reigned in the hall of course increased
under the influence of this sudden demonstration.
but gradually abated.
Mr.. Poston of Shelby, arose, and expressed his
desire to pour oil on the troubled waters. He ear
nestly protested against the disposition manifested
to refuse discussion by the majority, and impored
them TO give further time TO the minority. After
full and free debate he was willing to come to
vote and submit to the voice of the majority.
The Speaker said that he had been grossly insul-
ted and asked the House whether it was willing to
have its presiding officer accused Of revolutionary
conduct. He would retract and take back nothing
he had said; he had nothing TO regret. He would
yonder pointing to the member from Bedford.)
MIR. Duggan argued that by the Constitution oftho
State and the rules of the House. it was the duty of
the Speaker to compel refractory members to an
swer when their names were called. He saw men,
bers sitting in the House and walking about in the
hall, who had repeatedly refused to answer to their
names this evening. 1t was the duty of the Speak
er to compel these members to record their names
and not thus obstruc the transaction of public bust
ness. BE had heard members say in this hall that
the doorkeeper might compel them to attend but
they would be id if they would vote or answer
to the roll call when they did attend and he wan
ted to know if the Speaker not going to COM
pei such members to do their solemn duty.
The Speaker said that he had already asked the |
doorkeeper to summon the absentees but if they
refused to vote when they came there was no help
for it. as his power was at end. Mr.. Raulston |
said that the member from Shelby 1sf1T the blame
of the disorder of this evening at the Wong door.
The blame rested entirely with the minority. He
had heard it talked of for several days past that the
enemies of the bill had determined in caucus that it
should not pass that they would withdraw and leave
the House without a quorum if they could effect
their object no other way. The member from Shell
by complained of not having free discussion, when
two of his friends had occupied the floor for two days
and till 10 o'clock at night, speaking against time
not to discuss and argue the at
ALL but solely to delay its passage by llbustering
and revolutionary conduct. The fault was entire |
" with the minority, not with the majority.