Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1859 — Frora Washington [ARTICLE]

Frora Washington

New York, January 22. I rie Heralds Washington correspondent? says that in the executive section of theSenatr **o day an angry and exciting debatebet ween Judge Douglas and Sen*tor Fitch w lien words were passed which it was thought would lead to a duel. The debate occurred on the question of confirming Mr. Potte-, of Uhio, as Collector at Toledo. Mr. Pugh oppose.! Potter’s nomination, as the m;n displaced was his friend. He said it the President desired an issue with him (Pugh) he was ready for it. He denounced t.ie appointment, and called on every Senator who was Ins friend to vote against it. Mr. Douglas resp ruled, saying lie would vote with the gentleman from Ohio. He thou branched off onto the Illinois appointments, and said they -are dishonest, corrupt and incompetent.- r Senator Fitch interrogated Douglas sayine it was untrue. 3 * Douglas again reiterated what he had said. T ip'll sgain said -ii was untrue.” f ries of “order," were again made. Douglas continued the debate. Fitch replied to Douglas with great bitterness, and said that Senators knew how to prize anything coming from that quarter. Cries of “order,” were again made. Douglas then replied, and was called c,» order. Motions \t ere then made, that Douglas bo allowed to go on in order. Jefl. Davis opposed it, and said, turniitgto Douglas, he had listened with indignation to the language used, and it was that of a. “highwayman and bravo.” Iho deba'e was then continued somatime, when a motion was made, and the Senate ndjourned. It is said that the “lie” was given, and the most severe personal remarks made. A Washington dispatch of Monday says, that the difficulty between Douglas and. Fitch has been settled by mutual friends.