Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1846-03-26
CONGRESSIONAL DECORUM.

The of violence and disorder which frequent
ly disgrace the Hall of the liuse of Representatives, be
sds the disgust modification with which they mus,
viewed by all, calculated 10 inspire the rejecting
mind with the mos, serious lorebodings great step
will have been taken towards The overthrow of free
institutions, when the people are brought to regard their
immediate Representatives with contempt and dis.
like. We not curious to work out the problem,
how long the House can preserve the respect OF the PEG
pie, after it has aside all The decences of lite and the
conreses which should regulate assembaee OF gen,
ilemen. We make many allowances Tor the heats
which generated IN the collisions OF party strife,
in The anu,a lion of debate. Tue mldest and most
courteous, occasionally carried away by the excite
ment, ana say and do things, which they promptly
gret and for These seen in all de-
Lucrative bodies aud however 10 he regretted. moi
likely to be avoided Bun the which allude
and which have, of late years. been in the
House, transcend the limits of parliamentary decoum
which the leas; iasdious might prescribe. There are
members who obviously have a msconreption of their
locality their character aud duties. They fancy them,
selves be in a bear garden. cock pit, ,ap-room-
that they sent represent the civilization and man
ners of the lowest of their consuenisand that oalhs
onsceniiy and bullying language are at once graceful
mortii.ng u how the proporti-n of This class Of
members has continued increase of late years There
time when The fact Of membership of the House
pr,ha fdcie evidence OF man being gentleman
and as SUCH npon the strength of his Representative
character he received into society We need not say
to those acquainted with it, that Washington society is
now, from necessity, fastldous in lis requirements
weeks visit 10 the Capitol will justify this asldious
ness aud convince any enc that many Of our law makers
would be very unfit associates for decent people, ano
that a member OF Congress and gentleman are char
acters by no means necessarily united n the same ndi
vdua.
There are two ways Of remedying 'hese evils. TIL,
people Dns pay more attention the hind of men the,
send 10 Congress. They must have more reference Il
other qualities than those Of mere partnership. The
first enquiries mus be, is he capable-is he honesl-i
he decent IN his Elc and conversaion--s he gentle
man. " hen hey are brought 10 know that part o
he disgrace wlIh which drunken bully ing, backguar,
memher c"vers himself, is reflected upon the district
which has sen him 10 Congress, surely the people vii
be induced 10 be more careful IN their choice.
The other correction aliude the voice of a ret
and fearless press. Let the Reporters sent to Washing
ton by the publishers Of papers in other cities, give tru,
and faithful statements Of " hat is said and done III,
House Of Representatives. They need exaggerae tt
make their sketches plqnan Whatever is transacted II
that Hall the people have right to know. We reuct
10 believe that the fear Of the press before the eyes
many of these IN worthy members. Some Of them show
great sensveness at the appearance of their names in
pint, and take occasion rail at the cenluusness o
The Press. More respectable members sometimes per
init themselves to indulge in contempuous and dspara
glng remarks. This is very unjust well as absurd -
The press is not. in many respects what 1t ought TO be
hut the talents. worth, aud social standing of those
Connected with ii, the present day, would surely mol
suffer in the comparison with those OF the mass OF the
members Of Congress. compliment TO the power oil
the Press-and, al the same time, high handed out
rage, whchwe priced To find has attracted niue
notice urej ii the proceedings Of 'c House 'e