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
Back to Homepage.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment