Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-12
THE MOB In THE SENATE.

Cincinnati Commercial furnishes the fol-
lowing graphic description Of the scene
which occurred in the Senate'at the con.
clusion Of Mr. Bingham's speech; .
After Mr.. Bingham took his seat, SEN
ator Wilson rose to submit motion that
the Senate retire for consultation. He
had scarcely time to address the Chair,
when, TO the right of him, in the gentle-
mems gallery, few spectators com
meuced to stamp their feet and clap their
hands in approval of Mr.. Bingham s
speech. 1t was promptly suppressed by
the Chief Justice, but 1t very quickly
spread through the entire galleries, in
creasing in violencetas it went around,
untilit amounted TO a disorderly uproar.
Even the ladies we're quick to catch the
contagion, and gave vent to their enthusi-
asm as earnestly as those ofthe other sex.
The Chief Justice raped when it was
too late. he might as well have tried to
extinguish prairie fire with a syringe.
When he rose from his seat and cried
"order with all the voice he could put
into the word, he was only laughed at;
and for very spite hundreds who had re-
mained silent till then Joined in the
demonstration, and made the Senate
Chamber bedlam. Some stood up
while they clapped their hands, and
others kept their seats that they might be
enabled to use both hands and feet in the
uproar.
While the noise was at its loudest, the
Chief Justice, in an angry tone, ordered
the sergeantatarms to clear the galle-
ries, but it was manifest that without the
consent of the offer ders, the order could
not be executed. A few cried out, 2" He
can't do it, be hasn't men enough; we
won't 20 out" and there were indica-
tions for a time that they meant what
they said, and were determined not to be
put out. Tbs doerkeepers attempted to
enforce the order by announcing it, but
they found the crowd very slow to move.
The Senators began to get alarmed, for
really the scene began to smack of the
French revolution, when the crowd used
to overawe the National Assembly.
Mr.. Grimes angrily asked, after sur
veying the scene, why the order was not
enforced forthwith, to which the Chief
Justice, who seemed to be getting quite
nervous, replied that it certainly would
be enforced. A volley of Kisses for
Grimes came next, and that, too, from
the most respectable part Of the galleries.
Many a finely dressed lady contributed
to them An attempt was made to get
up more violent insult in the way of a
loud bah, and some hootings were
heard such as the rabble sometimes deal
out to stump speakers they don't like.
Mr.. Trumbull quickly came to the re-
lief of Mr.. Grimes, with motion that the
offenders be arrested, as we'll as the gal
leries cleared. 4.
II would like to see you do it !" shouted
several of the retiring offenders in reply.
The galleries were by this time about
half cleared, but not because Of the order
of the Chief Justice. 1t got out that the
court was about to retire, or adjourn,
and those who had left had dene so under
this impression. Suddenly few men
cried out "Hold on They amt going
to adjourn Let US see this thing out tF
Then came halt and hundreds took
their seats again, with the utmost uncon-
cern, and totally indifferent to the order
for their election.
Mr.. Cameron, amid the din and con-
fusion, rose to hope that the galleries
would NOT be cleared. He did not be-
lieve it fair to punish all fer the offenses
of some, and hoped none but those who
had made the demonstration would be
put out.
Measrs. Fessenden and Johnson sharp
ly called Mr.. Cameron to order, and in
sisted that the clearance be proceeded
with at which there was another volley
of Kisses and few more hootings, and
the scene looked more revolutionary
than ever.
Meantime, in the corridors, q few hun
dred of the elected had formed into a
crowd, and commenced singing " Old
Grimes is dead, that poor old man."
They were Joined by the ladies with
great glee. Between the verses the Iowa
Senator was literally and maliciously
cursed and damned as traitor and
copperhead. One man attempted to
make speech against Grimes and the
other renegades, but the tumult was too
great for him, and all around him were
too much interested in the song, which
was thought to be peculiarly appropriate
and piquant Will the ladies help US
to sing ?" said one. Certainly, they
will,g said another, and so they did.
While this extraordinary scene was
taking place in the corridors, and within
the hearing of the high court of i'm.
peachment, Senators were wondering
what still kept the galleries at least half
full. Mr.. Sherman attempted to solve
the mystery by suggesting to the Chief
Justice that perhaps those who remained
in the galleries did not understand the
nature of the order. The Chief Justice
repeated the order for their benefit, and
again instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms
to enforce it, which he, with the aid OF
all the capitol employees he could lind,
proceeded at once to do.
The reporters were the last and most
reluctant to obey. They insisted that
they had committed no offense, and
ought not to be interfcred with. A few
of them shouted to senatorial friends to
know if they, too, must go. They re-
ceived in reply laugh, which they con
strued affirmatively, and which they
responded to with loud groau, sand
muttering comment that this was -
Of a way" The Tribune correspondent
protested that the loyal press ought to-
pitch into Grimes; The Times man
swore like trooper, while about twenty,
Who had smuggled themselves into the
gallery With the Herald reporters, Joined
in q most unearthly sni fendish
moan, supplemented with the remark
from one Of them that he wished
some fellow would put box Of nitro
qlycerine under the court and explode
One Of the fourth estate insisted on
three groans for Grimes and Trumbull,
and was about 70 start them in the pres
go ~ tha Uigh Court but lust thea q