Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-02-13
Fight Between d Legislator and a Reporter.

Fight Between d Legislator and a Reporter.
Nothing indicates better the bad blood
at the capitol at Richmond, than the ex-
citement created by the slightest personal
difficulty. At fist fight in TIE rotunda.
Monday, the whole legislature broke up
and gathered to see the row and do what
adjusting of the difficulty had been
omitted by the combataDts. 1t appears
that Mr.. James A. Frazier, OF RockbIidge,
had written to the Rockbridge Enter
prize'' that the legislative reports made |
by the reporter of the Richmond 'State"
were false. The printer set it up Mr..
Chamberlayne's' reports. Mr.. Chamber.
layne, who besides being editor OF the
Estate" is IA member of the House, rose
from his seat and read the words from the
Enterprise" Mr.. Frazier explained the
error and said he meant the reporter. The
Richmond Dispatch" says:
These speeches over. Mr.. w. W. Arch
or. the "State'' reporter, laid down his
notes and walked out OF the hall.
"A little later Mr.. Frazier left his seat
and went into the rOtunda-nt response to
a message, as afterward appeared-and a
minute Or two afterwards there were heard
sounds of a Scuffie. Mr.. Lady, seeming
now to realize what had happened, prompt
ly jumped up and ran out. lie was i'm
lnedlately followed by several others; then
the number of exits fIOm the hall was so
great and so rapid that it was all in vain
that Speaker Lacy INDUCED in most vlgo-
iOuS raps He raped and raped. but the
House LETT him all the same.
Then he sent the doorkeeper (Mr. South
ward) forth to see what was tine matter
and to ''bring before the bar of the House
the parties guilty of disturbing It's dignity
and HONOR
FROM WORDS TO BLOWS.
The eager crowd pouring into the rotun-
da from the hall of the House WIS rein
forced-and in fact almost doubleday
like crowd from the Senate chamber. Many
! persons thought there was another Capitol
disaster. 1t was difficult for outsiders to
ascertain what had occurred. The rotunda
was so packed in minute that you could
not turn around without touching elbows
with some one. All was excitement. Mr.,
,, A. and Mr.. FraZierha met and exchanged
blows; friends had separated them. Each
was chafng under restraint and trying to
| get at the other. Each was surrounded
| by friends
Mr.. Royal had helped to stop the fight,
and was between the combatants as a pac-
| ificatOr; but his presence was evidently
| misunderstood, and Mr.. Frazier's friends
| thought he meant to strike him (FraZier).
One of the gentlemen who WAS holding
| Mr.. Archer almost had his backbone Jerk
| ed out of him by one who enormously sup
posed that he was s'piling' in on Mr..
| Archer.
The Readjusters formed solid phalanx
around Mr.. Frazier. There was too much
excitement for them to understand exactly
what had occurred; but it took them not a
minute to determine to stand by him.
CHANGE OF SCENE.
Mr.. Drinkard, member of the Capitol
police, appeard promptly on the scene and
endeavored to obtain quiet. but for several
minutes there was such pushing and SHOW
ing, such talking and excitement. that
| further trouble seemed imminent.
| Doorkeeper Southwark arrested Mr.. Car
ter n. Harrison. of the Common wealth,
and carried him before the Speaker. Mr..
| Frazier Was under the impression that Mr.,
| Harrison had struck or held him. Mr..
Harrison and Mr.. Archer say that was not
so; that Mr.. Harrison only got between
the two to stop further blows. He was
| about to enter the hall when MI. Archer
requested him to stop and hear the CONVEX
sation between him (Archer) and Frazier ]
rushed into the hall behind Mr.. Harrison.
| Such was the tremendous volume and
velocity OF the crowd coming in from the
rotunda to the hall of the House, members
feared that they would be avalanched.
The doors were, however, closed at an Op-
perfume moment and no harm was done.
DIFFICULTY IN THE HOUSE BETWEEN
MEsSRS. FRAZIER AND HARRISON
| Mr.. Harrison was given a chair in the
| Main isle, to the front OF the Clerks table
and just to the left Of Mr.. Frazier's desk
The Speaker, ascertaining that the Ser
geant-at-Arms of the House (Mr. A. J.
Taylor was absent from the House, on
| account OF sickness, SO stated to the House,
and was authorized to appoint a Sergeant
alarms pro tenn. Mr.. Humphrey was APP
pointed.
The Speaker said that the dignity Of the
House required that those persons who
| had disturbed its proceedings should be
brought to the bar
Mr.. Gibson insisted that this was not
the proper time to make inquiry. He sug-
| gested the appointment of a committee to
| inquire and report.
! About this point in the proceedings Mr.
Harrison, still seated in the aisle, under
stood Mr.. Frazier, while explaining the
difficulty TO friend, to say that that red
headed scoundrel had struck him, too.''
| Mr.. Harrison turned around and said to
Mr.. Frazier, .'You are a liar"
Mr.. Frazier jumped up.
So did Mr.. Harrison.
| Doorkeeper Southwark, or some one,
stepped III between them.
| The Speaker raped severely. Every
| body began to gather around the two.
| More raps.
| Mr.. Frazier declared that he had been
moved to advance upon Mr.. Harrison be.
cause the latter had called him liar.
| Mr.. Harrison said he called Mr. Frazier
a liar because Mr.. Frazier had insulted
| him.
The gentlemen were finally quoted.
| CITY POLICE CALLED IN.
During the difficulty between Messrs
Frazier and Harrison there was a great
| commotion in the hall. Members would
not keep their seats. Visitors pressed for
ward to see what was going on. There
was great deal of excitement, and some
| members thought they recognized signs of
violence threatened But they were mis-
taken. Everybody wanted to see and hear,
! but beyond that no harm was meditated.
Anyhow, the disorder was great, and
Mr.. Gibson moved. that the police be called
| IN to aid the officers OF the House, Some
one suggested to>Mr. Gibson to amend by
| saying capitol police, and he did so: but
probably the Speaker did not catch the
amendment, and the motion as originally
made was put and carrid.
Chief of Police Poe was seen at the door
and was called ia. Speaker Lacy informed
| Major Poe Of the motion. and requested
him to enforce order for the House.
Major Poe asked if he must have the
rotunda cleared The Speaker said he had
no right to so order, but he wished order
to be preserved.
Ordnr uas coon rootorod in tho bon o,a