Sunday, July 18, 2010

Strange History: Conduct Cases in the US Congress (c.1790s-1860s)

Hello folks! Here's another installment of Strange History. These conduct cases compiled by Leland Gregory makes our modern congressmen seem like pussycats...
Most people think our forefathers were gracious and eloquent men of class and honor -- not like the members of Congress we have today. Well, I hate to burst the bubble, but here are verbatim excerpts from the Historical Summary of Conduct Cases in the House of Representatives by the Commitee on Standards of Official Conduct:
Representative Matthew Lyon [VT][1798] "Disorderly behavior" [spat on Rep. Roger Griswold after an exchange of insults], [Jan.30,1798]; charge added of "gross indecency of language in his defense before this House" [Feb.8, 1798]
Representative Roger Griswald [CT] and Representative Matthew Lyon [VT] "Disorderly behavior" [Rep. Griswald assoulted Rep. Lyon with a "stout cane" on the House floor before the House was in session and Rep. Lyon responded by attacking Rep. Griswald with fireplace tongs], [Feb. 15, 1798]
Representative William J. Graves [KY] and Representative Henry Wise [VA], Breach of the privileges of the House Representative Graves killed Representative Jonathan Cilley [ME] in a duel over words spoken in debate; Rep. Wise acted as a second [Feb. 24, 1838].
Representative Philemon Herbert [CA], [1856] Arrested for manslaughter [May 8, 1856]; imprisoned prior trial; acquitted [July 1856]
Representative Lovell H. Rousseau [KY][1866] Assaulted Representative Josiah Grinnell [IA] with a cane outside the Capitol for alleged insult spoken in debate [June 14, 1866]
Source: "Stupid American History" (pp.67&154, 2009) by Leland Gregory


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