The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-22
The Drunken Senators Wflkinson and
~ vs. Chandler

The correspondent of the Rochester IN "
Democrat Republican paper edited by w. 8.
KING, formerly of this State, gives the follow
ing sketch of the drunken scene in the Senate.
in which MORTON 8. WILKINSON, Senator from
Minnesota, figured conspicuously. We are
glad to notice in the eastern journals the Sc.
Verest condemnation of this disgraceful scene
-disgraceiul alike to WILKINSON, and the State
he misrepresents:
III, male called up a long bill, and there was a
Iull WINE the measured monotone of the clerk
swung through is formal phases There was
nuPe .ila' the Senate would recover itself but
WIFI .ne oi'i was passed and Hale epdeavored
" proceed with another measure Chandler
s spmg W ms rect and yelled and screamed
eo MT. Ile ; Mr.. President :" It was The
fierce voice of an excited. half. drrnio' ,'ar
relsome man, and might have henn head Nd" Of
the Speakers desk in The other end of Tho o.
ltol "Ordei J" "Or1erin cried sa,,arni III o ap
tors. Order Order " sharply sa;5 az ouila
President pro tenn, Senator Clark. as h hrounh.
the little ivory gavel down upon his desk rnn'
ingiy. But the Ieii spirit would not down at such
Dlddlng; and Chandler retOrted that he w.
out out of order, but the Chair was "Tbe
Senator will take his seat" answered the
Cnalr. Chandler coarsely retorted you've no
rlght 10 order me TO my seat and wont take
it," and turning to Hale who sat npyt him
and was urging him to sit down. he ad ed
No iii be dlmned if dol" He's snubb.d
me enough. and wont stand it any lon0er,1
Take your seat. sir! a." firmly and forciblv
said the chair. Eye met eve lust then there
was nervous motion OF chairs in all parts of
the chamber. and Chandler sunk into his seat
deny Inc right OF the Chair 10 call the Sem
ator from Michigan to Crder!" cried Wilhin.
son, scarcely less drunk than Chandler. The
Clerk will iced the rule" said the Chair. So
1t was read. and the Chair added THE Sen
atOr from Michigan was out of order and will
not Dc allowed to proceed except by consent Of
the Senate"
Chandler and Wilkinson lovingly retired TO.
gether. and were absent most of the time for
TWO or three hours. Business at the famous
"Hole-in-the-W all' was brisk. Clearly the
tox Oh liquors does not diminish the consump-
ton with some men,
The patient galleries looked on in wonder at
the !awless and shameful proceedings upon
the moor. Plain people marvelled at the un-
seemly fashion in which the legislative body of
the nation disrOrted itself. Very few men,
6ers We're in their seats. Salisbury was asleep,
face downward, open his lounge. Several
Senators sat with their feet upon the tops of
desks. Sprague's seat is next Chandler's but
ne crossed over aud SIT long in Johnson's seat,
and seemed studiously to avoid the Michigan
Senator.
WILKINSON had retired to the cloak room in
unsatisfactory condition, and was supposed to
be asleep. Chandler was bolt upright in his
seat Everywhere every where, were desolate
hearths and vacant chairs and mourning hearts.
Yet I'D The Senate chamber went on wi revel
OF Wrangllng and personality. Senators talked
OF heroism and patriotism, but in their action
was the bitterest fire of mockery and the keen
est blade of insult!
Read the above, Minnesotians, and blush.
More Disgrace falls on you rather than on the
SO immeasurably beyond his deserts.