The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-04-20
TIE GAZETTE.
ALFRED SANDERS, Enron.
CITY OF DAVENPORT
SAT RDAY, APRIL Is. l8s4
Conduct OF Legisla tors

'hc adPPeH!aS oi iists reprehanSl ole III
themselves, tending t. lower the dignity OF
the Legislative body, and consequently in
micai to the interests of the people. But
as this IL not the case, as our Legisl ators
violate the gentle rules of decorum," with
great frequency, and with no apparent hes
itaton, they should not be either surprised or
dl,pleased if the readers of their proceed
ings comment upon such conduct in terms
lequal to its deme,it, and continue such CON-
ment as often as they themselves give oc-
casion for its repetition.
OF course we do not mean to inculpate
the whole Congressional body. Far from
Iit. We are pleased to say that majority
of both houses are distinguished for their
ability as Legislators and their demeanor
as gentlemen, and in these qualities they
are not excel!ed by the members Of any
Ide!iberatiye assembly in the world. But
there are some black sheep among them,
and these are sufficient to give uneouthness
to the appearance Of the whole flock
There are some men among them who are
neither dignified nor decent, unable to be
either Legislators or gentlemen, and these
reflect blur upon the whole body, which
the most patriotic charity cannot but ac
knowledge, and which the prejudice Of for
eigners mugnties into an evil inseparab!e
from popular institutions.
1t may be true that the number of these
il not vet large enough to effect any irrepa-
Bile injury; they may disgrace themselves
and disgust their hearers, and when they
have exhausted themselves, the business Of
the country may be permitted to progress
until it is again stopped by similar inter-
ruptjon. But we think that the number of
such men is increasing, and we have no
warrant against the incalcuiable evil which
will be effected by such increase, unless the
people take the matter seriously into con-
sderaton and peremptorily decide, that
hereafter no such men shall poison the
sources Of legislation, or disgrace by their
presence the council chambers of the ma,
ZION. And could aught be urged against
such decision! Certainly no reasonable
and patriotic man would oppose it, and if
such decision be not made it cannot be said
much longer, us was once said by the Speak
cr Of Legislative body on It's adjournment,
'"lf we have not done any good for the peo-
Iple. at least we have done them no harm."
We need not designate the men whom, il
mot a '.casuaI,'' at least, "A very deplorabie
I"eoneusrcncc OF calamtous circumstances
has placed in their present position. Every
man ct.n search the record for himself, and
Iif he do 50, h will find by the diaagreeable
number ui instances, that We have said no
ltbing which the facts do not warrant us in
= saving. Any ore who reads the Washing
INN papcrs will see that the language oI
bulles aud bIackguards has been introduced
even into the Senate. II would be easy tC
name the places where such language woulC
not be inappropriate, but certainly 1t does
not betit the halls Of legislation, and it Wi!
hetomemore fashionable if it continue to bt
so perseveringIy patronized by the prac
tce of many honorable Legislators.
There is another practice which seems t.
be on the increase among this Class OF ou
law makers, concerning which 1t Is hard u
sav whether it is more silly or immoral
We allude to their habit when they have
given utterance TO something more than or
dipnrily discourteous and insulting, OF saying
that. "for what they have spoken they vii
hold themselves responsible elsewhere, -
that is. that having made themselves absur'
and ungentlemunly within the house. tn
are yeady to become crimina! as wei! a.
Z, absurd. out of doors, il their opponent
choose to fight This "argumant to thf
man. has become so common n tn House
that correspondent of one OF the northern
papers saws, that if the north wishes t'
maintain its proper weight, It should sehe
men to Congress who were known to b'
not afraid to fight. We know that such has
been the test applied to candidates IN some
OF the States. anu WY 'o''
= very melancholy have been the results now
J iny therclrom. We neverwish to see II ap-
y n,iea north of Mason & DiXon's line. by
men of sense and correct principle, duellihe
bos ceascd to be considered even test OF
courage; and if it were, when man Is mol
able to support his side of the question by
facts and reasoning, it is not probable tha'
he would strengthen his argument by Killing
his ANTAGONIST or getting killed himself
These Legislators who are always offering
70 ioht, must, when they were IN private
life. have belonged to that rather numerous
c,ass of men who, when engaged IN any
kind of discussion, always offer to bet thai
their opinion is true aud if their opponeh'
hacks out. consider il as the lntalAble evil
deuce of their own victory, and plume them
% soIves upon the mental powers which are
j. evidenced by such success. This certainly
= mrs, formerly have been the course of these
d,nIlinc Legislators; but, having now risen
% hipher station, they think that THEN
.c,;ons should correspond with their present
,h situations, and as to bet would not be sut'
: seon,lv dirnifcd. they offer to fight, this be-