The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-02-17
Very respectfully,
A Passage at Arms in the House of
Representatives.
sharp words Useda and Pistols Drawn.

Sharp Words Used and Pistols Drawn.
We would gladly omit to give the details
Of passage at arms, which occurred in the
House Of Representative yesterday, were it
not that exaggerated and distorted state.
ments Of the affair would gain currency;
and hence the truth would do far less harm.
In order to give a thorough understand
ing Of the affair, we viii enter into some
details Of the causes which led to it. On
Thursday the Franchise Bill came up on its
second residing, and several members had
amendments to offer, while others had
speeches TO make; butthe friends Of the bill
urged q vote, on the ground that these
amendments might come in on the third
reading.
The question was a oncs asked BY several
parties, if the friends Of the bill intended TO
allow attempts Amendment, and also pei
NIT discussion on the third reading, and sew
eral answered that they were, though they
stated that they only spoke for themselves.
The remsining friends Of the bill were
silent but when the names Of several Of
the members we're called, on the previous
question, they rose and stated that they
would vots for il, with the understanding
thatthe bill was 10 De discussed on its third
reading, and always paused before giving
their votes; and the silante Of all the mem
bers gave assurance that such would be the
case.
As soon as the bill hal passed ia second
reading, Mr.. Arnen moved to make Ii the
special order for the next aay-Friday. h
number Of the friends of the bill objected
70 this, as they had not fully examined its
provisions, and did not desire to be hurried
10 a vote, when finally Mr.. Arnell modified
bis motion, making it the special order for
Monday.
Mr.. Poston; would suggest Tuesday.
Mr.. Arnell; l can't accept Tuesday.
Mr.. Poston Monday is private bill day
and Tuesday viii do as well. Are you not
wiling to make il Tuesday
Mr.. Arnell: No. want 10 have it come
up on Monday; I have my reasons for it.
Mr.. Poston / have no private reasons
about the matter; wish to examine the bill
and do not desire to consider il, to the ex-
clusiOn Of other business, when haste is not
necessary.
Mr.. Arnell then changed his motion
again, to make it the special order for yes
terday, and the motion prevailed.
When the question came up yesterday,
Mr.. Steele made q speech against the bin,
and was followed by Mr.. Elliott and be-
fore any amendment could be offered, Mr..
Raulston moved the previous question.
This being contrary 20 the understanding
which the conservatives had Of the matter,
they determined 10 defest the bill, if neces-
sary by flibustering. They believed that
acaucus Of a few members, with one or two
outsiders, had been held in the morning,
while the House was in session, and that it
had been resolved to put the bill through
yesterday, 50 that il might pass both Houses
before the holding Of the Convention on the
22d. Such, we say, was the opinion Of the
conservatives, and they held that, If the
original partially express and partially
implied agreement, as 10 debate and amend
ment was broken, they would leave the
House without q quorum.
A number Of members at once Withdrew
from the Hall, and stood outside the bar
while three others remained in, and refused
10 vote, aud consequently the bill failed for
want Of 3 quorum. Mr.. Mullins arose and
said that there were members within the
bar Of the House who did not vote, and
aaked the Speaker 10 compel them 10 do so,
and also 10 compel the attendance Of absent
members. The Speaker asked them to
vote, but they refused, when Mr.. Mullins
renewed the demand.
The Speaker said he had no power, NOR
ally. or physically, TO force members 10
vote, Il they refused; he could call upon
them 10 do SO, bu, there his power ended.
Mr.. Mullins: Yes and I shouldn't won
der il that was = part Of the bargain.
Mr.. Speaker Heiskell Do you intend
that IS a reflection upon me-
Mr.. Mullins; You may take it on your
self, IL you like.
Mr.. Speaker Heiskell; You are 8 did
old liar You are an old lying ssoundrel.
The same epithet was returned, when the
Speaker threw his mallet at Mr.. Mul-
Iius, who drew his pistol. Members atoncs
rushed in aud quiet was restored.