The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-08
nENrOx Ann POorE.
The Scene In the SennIc Described by an
Eye WItnesS-The Drawn Pistol.

The hcene IN tut hehhit b'res'o wv" ~ VS.
Eye WItneAS-The Drawn Pistol.
COr. National R'TubIiodn,
read in your paper Of few daysa ago an
article from Merriuelher's Weekly giving a
statement furnished by Col. jacob Thomp'
son OF scene that occurred between Sena'
tors Benton and Foote, correcting, as he
claimed, the report OF the same in the Cen.
turv desire 10 correct the correction. i
was sitting in the old senate illery, north
of and facing rhe presidents chair, and i'm
mediately over F0ote. The latter occupied
seat on the outer circle, and, think, the
second or third deck from the middle aisle
was locking down on his bald pate whilst
he was uttering the scathing remarks al.
luded 10 against Benton. The latter also
WAS in full view, seated out the outer circle,
perhaps five or six desks farther north and
east, from Foote, and farther from the
middle aisle.
II may be as well TO state here that there
had been great deal OF bitter feeling exist.
ing between these Senators for a consider.
able time, generated by an acrimonious
political d, bate. In this FOote was the
most erriug, for he had greater gift OF in
yeCtive than any man ] ever heard. u
seemed TO be no trouble TO him to annihl'
late every person in this way to whom he
was not friendly, and he certainly did not
lack the will to do 80. Benton was not
bit more lovely iu disposition, indeed less
80, think, for he seemed 10 possess more
hate naturally in his feelings than any
other man ever knew, and he was not
slow to express those feeling in the most
whitening Language. He hated, and never
forgot to hate, excepting only in the case Of
General Jackson, who from being regarded
his great enemy became in the end his
great st friend.
But Benton was supremelv e2otistical and
vain. It was, ~, Thomas Ii. Benton, have
set this ball in notion" and he did not
concede the equality Of any other man in
the Senate. For many OF them he had
perfect contempt. Foote was 'oue OF the
members OF this class Benton did not
wish 10 stoop TO speak at all, or even refer
10, II he could avoid it. Foote knew this
and his self esteem, also extraordinarily
large, was CALLED by 1t. l am inclined TO
think that the greatest cause otthe difficult
ties between them was in this very plainly
exhibited contempt Of Benton. Foote had
frequently attacked him with his very Sc:
we're and abusive language, and Benton had
told the Senate that II that body did not
protect him hereafter from such attacks he
would take the matter in his own hands
and defend himself.
When Foote began his speech I think
there was a general excitement as 10 what
might be the result None II us had to
wait long before Foote began one Of his
famous hypothetical Climaxes OF denuncia.
tlon, which, when he had piled it up high
enough, WIS to point out the party referred
10 BY topping over on and Overwhelmingly
crushing him. Benton sat in his great
arm chair looking at him and awaiting the
end. Then he instantly arose and with
tremendous push OF his right hand seat his
roller chair creaking over the floor back
wards. He stepped into the aisle leading
toward Foote and advanced with furious
look and firm tread. He had made
but two or three steps in that direction
when Foote hastily put his hand into his
left breast pocket and pulled lhertfrom
pistol, which looked about six or seven
inches long in barrel. He cooked 1t
aud hastily retreated to the
center space in front OF the secretary's
desk. Here he was at once surrounded
by other Senators, who took the pistol from
him, and saw one Of them put II in his
desk. Benton went no further toward him
when he left his place, but rather toward
his own chair, and entering the enclosure
violently and iranticalIy cried, "Let the
assassin Shoot" then pushing toward
Foote again, uttering, LET the assassin
shoot" and made an apparent effort with
both hands to bare his breast in the most
theatrical style. 81 have no arms lhSve
no arms" he roared again. At thistime
however, Foote, had no pistol, as Benton
could plainly zee, and his action was mere
" dramatic parade. In retreating from
Benton FOote left aplace, where, II he had
desired to defend himself or use his pistol,
he had nothing to do but to turn slightly
to the left, toward the wall, and without
endangering any one. But 10 hurried
~ leave his place and get IN
the centre OF the chamber, where he could
not have fired without danger 10 Senators,
was an action not TO be explained Oh any
other ground than that OF shrinking from
the contest. know that he had the repu.
tation Of being brave man-had fought
such duels and was ready TO fight more
and think he was really game. But none
oil uS are AlWuyb Lu6 hAllltt uuu Ilc uuu
every reason to believe that Benton meant
work. The latter had killed his man, and
his appearance was massive as giant like
10 such small arrangement rs Foote
More than all the latter had done wrong in
making this attack, OF which he could not
but feel the full force. Conscience natur.
ally would make him weak. otis con.
science that makes towards OF us all, &" and
taking in all this appearance Of thinga, as
none would be quicker than he to do
whilst standing about eight feet four and
before Benton during his raving, he was
entirely mute and looked subdued. In a
short time, however, after the excitement
had declined, hestated that he had lett bis
desk for the purpose Of getting clearer
place to use his pistol, which explanation,
rs have shown, could not be received for
a moment. An oblivious committee was
appointed. as usual, to investigate the
whole matter and report what action should
be taken in the premises. This committee,
OF course, reported what all knew, and rec
commended that no action should be taken
on the subject. thought that something
more would have grown between the par.
ties out Of this, but It did not. l suppose
that Benton felt he could rest upon having
made Foote retreat, and FoOte himself
with the abuse he had heaped upon Ben.
ton. Both, likely, were glad 10 thus end