The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1882-02-08
The Approaching Storm
ANGRY SENATOR'S.
Words of Contempt Which We're Not
Intended TO Insult.
Specimen Warrants OF Arrcst--A Sen
ator In Jail-A Proposition Of
tNcu,s and CouricT.1

atOI Ill Sail iopVSi'ioh vi
Peace.
INcus and Couricr.1
COLUMBIA, January 31.-'rhc differ
enccs existing between Mcssrs. Fishburno
and Smythe originated In certain language
used in the Senate IN last Friday in. a de-
bate upon tho bill giving the Entaw
Phosphate Company the right to build Il
tramway from their works across and
along 4 certain public road to connect
with the South Carolina and Northeast
crn Railroads. This bill originated in the
Senate. Was passed and wentto the House.
The House amended by striking ont the
words land along" and returned the bill
to the Senate for concurrence. MIR.
Smythe moved that the Senate refuse to
concur in this amendment Of the House,
and upOn this motion there was some dc
bate. Mr.. Fishburne opposed the motion
and made a speech against the policy OF
giving to private corporations the right to
build railroads along the public highways,
upon the groun that it was taking away
the rights of the people for the benefit OF
corporations who were able to buy the
right of way for the construction of their
railroads or tramways without other con
sidcration than the convenience and profit
of wealthy monopolies.
While Mr.. Fishburnc was speaking Mr..
Smytlre interrupted him and asked If he
knew where the works of the Eutaw
Phosphate Company were situated. Mr..
Fishburne said that he did not know the
exact location, he believed they were
somewhere on the Cooper River; but lie
opposed the provisions of the bill upon
the broad principle that it was wrong to
vote away public rights for private gain,
and that the General Assembly could not
grant the authority asked tor in the bill
without doing an injury to the people oil
the section through which the road III
question passed.
Mr.. Smythc, in replying tothe remarks
of Mr.. Fishburnc, said: 1.-THE Senator
from Colleton has acknowledged, Mr.
President, that he does not know what he
is talking about - whcreupon Mr.. Fish.
burne rose from his scat and cNcitcdly
exclaimed, II acknowledge no such thing,
That is false.
Senator Smytle, after a pause, said thai
in so far as the remark OF the Senator
from Collcton was an affront to the Sen
ate, he left it in the hands Of the Senate
But in so far as it might be held al affroEt
to himself, he had only to say that moth
ing could insult him that came from thu
Senator from Collector. Mr.. Smythe thel
went on to explain his notion.
Mr.. F~ishburne then rose to his feet. anC
after a few remarks upon the matter un'
der discussion, said: with reference tc
the personal remark of the Senator from
Charleston I have only this to say, that J
will Just consider the source"
The motion of Mr.. Smythe was ther
passed, and a committee of conference
was appointed to adjust the differences be
tween the two houses.
Mr.. Fishburne consulted with severa
of his friends in the Senate, but nothing
further TRANSFERRED during the day in ref
ercncc to the difficulty between the two
Senators.
On Monday just as the Senate adjourn
ed and about twO-tLirds of the Senators
had retired from the chamber, Senator
Fishburne walked slowly across the room
and stood up at the side Of Senator
Smythe's desk. After looking ~intcntly
at Senator Smythe for nearly a minute
Mr.. Fishburne said, in a very loud voice,
which could be distinctly beard all ovel
the Chamber: "Scnator S,nythe, 1 have
come here in the presence Of these gentle
men to demand that you rctract the words
you used in the Senate the other day, il
which you said that the Senator from Col
Teton did not know what he was talking
about"
Senator Smythe %thereupon rose, but
continued to look over his papers. Re
plying in q tone which could hardly be
heard, he said: 1.-THE words l used were
in reply to language used by yourself
and 1 have nothing to withdraw"
Senator Fishburne advanced to within
two feet Of Mr.. Sinythe, and said: "Sen'
ator Smythe I demand from you, sir, al
answer. Do you not withdraw the re
mark YOU made in the Senate OH Friday
in which you said that the Senator from
Colleton did not know what he was talk
ing about2"
Senator Smythe made tho same reply
"My remark wa called forth by language
from you, and l have nothing to with
draw"
Senator Fishburnc grew still more *
cited, and placing himself directly il
front of Senator Smythe he said: ''Tha
won't do, Senator Smythe. 1 demand
categorical answer DO you Withdraw
what you said?'
Senator Slnythe laid down his papers
and, pushing back his broad-brimmeo
black hat, he looked Senator Fishbure in
the face and repeated what lie had already
said twice.
Mr.. Fishburne seemed to grow more
excited every moment, and as he repeat
ed his demand again and again he en-
pbasized his words by striking his RICH
fist into the palm Of his left hand.
Senator Muller hen walked over TO Mr.
Fishburne, and taking him by his arm
said: "Senator Smythe had no intention
Of insulting you. Come with me and
don't have any difficulty.
Senator F%ishburne drew his arm an
grily away, and replied "Let Senator
Smythe speak for himself. Did you, sir
intend to insult me by your remark p
Senator Smythe said: 81 have no hes.
itation in saying that l had no intention
OF insulting YOU. l would avoid insult
ing anyone wilfully."
"Then, SIR" said Senator Fishburne,
do you withdraw the language used by
you in the Senate or Friday?'
Senator Smythe said; ~ have already
said that have nothing to withdraw, ant
even if I was inclined to do SO, l certain
ly would not do so under a threat or ir
compliance to your demand"
"Then, sir" said Senator Fishburne,
do I understand you to say that you dt
not withdraw your remarks? Let mt
understand you, sir! Do you refuse tt
withdraw what you said in the Senate OF
Friday? / am determined to have a cat
egorical answer, sir, and I propose to us(
brute force, sir, to compel you to give me
an answer. BY your tricks of law you
have prevented me from pursuing the
course usually adopted by gentlemen in
such matters, and l am determined, sir
that you shall not pass through that door
without giving me direct answer, unless
you pass over my dead body"
Senator Snythe, taking up his papers
made a movement as if to start from his
seat, and Senator Fishburne again said
"Do you withdraw what you said, sir? ]
am not armed but, I propose to use brute
force to compel you to give me an answel
one way or the other. II you refuse tc
withdraw your words I will then know
what to do"
Senator Stnythe, who exhibited little OF