New-York tribune., 1884-03-21
EXCITEMENT IN TRENTON.
PERSONAL ENCOUNTER BETWEEN AS
SEMBLYMEN.

A DISCUSSION ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL hE'
SUITS IN THE EXCHANGE or THE LIE AND
BLows-sURsEQUENT APOLOGIES.
[FRom THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT oP THE rRIBON h
TRENTON, N. j.. March 20.-Giving the lie,
blows and apologies features of the Assembly pro-
ceedings this morning Shortly before noon Assembly
man Rush Burgess, Republican, of Essex, approached
william Hutchinson correspondent OF The Philadelphia
Press in a COMMITTEES room adjoining the Assembly, ana
criticised his description OF the debate yesterday on tne
Civil Rights BILL IN which The Press stated that the MEM
bers left the Chamber when Mr. Burgess spoke ine A
ter expaned TO the correspondent that the members hao
retired In hope of breaking the quorum, anu
the conversation then drifted TO a discussion OF
the Civil Rights bill and grew somewhat heated MI
Burgess speaking In bitter terms OF the scuon Oh no
Democratic party generally in such measures lie nnay
said; "There not Democrat In the House, VINO n
his heart In favor OF the Civil Rights Dill just 'nen
Assembyman John Armitage, Democrat, OF Essex the
introducer Of the BILL approached and tapping bis finger
on Burgssss chest said: told you yesterday that
WAS strongly In favor OF that BILL and were 10 say
what ought to, would tell you that you are liar
~Dont you say that to mel" exclaimed Burgess, lift
ing his hand.
al do say it," said Armitage, and he uttered the
words Burgess tapped smartly the side OF Dis neao
with his open hand say II again." said Arnitage, ana
Burgess struck him again. this time on the nose anu
squared off In pugstic style. Armtage also raised n's
FISTS the other persons present separated tne anu
members had seen the faoas and all had heard the e1
cited words and intense excitement prevailed. The
Speaker restored order but the story OF the dispute
spread about the House and was the subject OF
discussion Armitsge is somewhat smaller than Burgess
and Of rather delicate appearance. His face bore no
marks and tho blows had evidently been intended 10 DO
INSULT ng rather than painful
AN APOLOGY TO THE HOUSE.
The Democrats have little affection for either OF the
dsputaRs because Mr. Burgess is radical kepuDnosn
and because Mr. Artage has refused to vote on certain
party questions but they had determined 10 make ah
example the case when Mr Burgess secured the oor
and said Mr. Speaker during the morning became
involved in heated discussion In which, regret to say
passed a blow upon a member Of this House. desire
apologize the House for conduct in this matter
Mr Fish (RepJ moved that the apology be accepted
Mr. Flynn Dem.) objected, and said that ne had Jus'
learned Of the and believed that t was que
the House that investigation should be made lie
therefore moved the appointment OF committee OF thlee
10 examine into the matter ,-,
Mr. Cole Rep) protested against this course The apo-
oc of Mr. Bureess was ample and the matter ought 70 be
dropped right there Mr Flynn said he understood that
Mr. Burgess before the blows had made statements IN
nurnine the honesty Of the House That was what ne
wanted investigated. Mr.. Fish made feehng protest
said he accented the apology II it intended for him,
but Of that he had his doubts The Speaker on point %
order ruled that Mr. Flvnns motion was in order ana
sand that the House had bsen insuled by MI Burgess
conduct
Mr. Burgess arose and said with much feeling that he
did not intend to ask tne pardon OF Mr. ArDtage on me
floor That question which they could settle De
tween themselves outside OF the House, and II would ne
settled I'm peaOe. "Bu MT. Speaker" said Mr. Burgess
did not strike him without prOvOcauOn lad cause
Mr.. Fynns motion for committed was lost y 10 80
Those voting yea Cadmus, Chapman. D0renuS,
Flynn LYONS Larison O'Donnell OCOnnor and Worten-
dyke The motion 10 accept his apology was then
adopted, Urd roce Mr.. Flynn alone voting no.
AN APOLOGY TO Mr.. ARMITAGE.
Immediately after the adjournment Mr. Burgess ap-
proached Mr Amitage, and Offering his hand said;
apologize to you, Mr.. Armitage, for my conduct" MI
Arntage accepted the apology, and after shaking hands
they retired each stating publicly that the settlement
was satisfactory Mr.. Armtage said: Il have no hard
feelings about the matter now. The blows were Insult
ing but not otherwise harmful and the apologies nave
made that all right" ,,-
Democratic Joint caucus was held Immediately after
ward hut action taken In regard 70 this occur
IL caused endless gossip throughout the clty MT
Burgess Virginia training and quicktempered, Whe
Mr. Arnitage cool and somewhat effemnate IN manner
and appearance, but with rather aggraNatng mtInOd
stattnga case There have been many minor diiter
Newark, aud the Outburst not altogether unex-
pected.
THE SPEAKER CRITICISED.
The Speakers conduct in urging the passage Of the res
oluon for investigation and his evident desire TO name
the difficulty was the subject OF comment His feeling
against Mr.. Burgess Is said be strong and this is
ascribed as his motive by some, while Others
lain that inspired by desire properly TO punish
signal a violation OF the rles The House has been
times reaohed almost riOtOus proportions Interviews
vrirh