The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-01-27
Congressional Manners.

Partisan passions, since the close of the
war, have so FAR suIsided that men of all
parties who respect the national reputation
would like TO see an observance of decenc7
and propriety In congress which will accord
with the grave responsibilities of that body
When In our day some dozen members ac-
cuse each other of talseuood, and of making
indecent personal assaults, the spectacle IS
disgraceful aud humiliating that the men
guilty ot such conduct should be taught
that the country expects tie national leg
isature to exhibit other manners than
those common in pot-ho1ses aud the lowest
order Onward meetings
motloa to print certain number of
copies of the report Of Commissioner Wells
was made the occasion for assaults upon
him of such an indecent and malevolent
character, that the men making them
should have been instantly visited by a vote
of censure. He WAS charged with incapac-
i,y; falsehood, and with having accepted
bribcs from British manufactures in pay
ment for his exposition of the iniquities of
our tariff laws. The charge was distinctly
made that be had been bought over to
free trade with British gold.'
We shall enter upon no defence of Mr..
Nells here, His discharge of the duties of
his Office has won for him the appreciation
OF all classes of his countrymen, except the
manufacturers now assailing him, and his
ability as statistican has been ackuowl-
edged by the European press in a manner
which should crafty the national pride of
all tue Americans. His history, position,
and ser vices ought to have rendered such
indecent assaults as were made on him il
congress on Thursday impossible.
Mr.. Kelly, who was most bitter in hi.
deuunciations Of the commissioner, charged
John A. Logan with fal.ehood. Mr. Me-
Cartay followed the leadership of Kelly
in charging that MIR. Wells had Leen bribed
with British gold, and said that Mr. Cook,
who defended the commissioner, had made
statement which was not true. Our con
gress appeared to heartily enjoy these al.
ternations, and, when members banded
the lie back and forth, laughed unmoder-
stey, while the speaker vainly hammered
hls desk to restore order. For shres hours
print the report, the Brownlow style Of
oratory and argument only being employed
by those who made war on the commits
soncr
The hot excitcm ent Of this debate was
not enough to satisfy the house for one day
To keep alive the turmoil, Mr. Scofed
made speech, in reply to the one made
by Mr.. Dawes few days ago. on the ex-
travagant estimates for appropriations for
the purchase of Legal island, by resent
ment against the Republican member from
Pennsylvania, because they did not vote for
Dawes for speaker.
Mr.. Dawes said this statement va. en-
trely false was unworthy of gentleman;
and wassn insult to himself, to the speaker,
and the Pennsylvania delegation:
viii the men who have grown eloquent
10 discussing "plautation manners in con-
gress' favor the country with a dsserta
ton on the debates in the house on Thurs
day? Is it not better that We have con
gressmen to whom accusation of falsehood
would be insult, to be atoned for in the old
fashioned way, than brawlers and black
guards, who profess Christian horror of
combat, and get are ready to offer and &C.
cept insults which gentlemen should not
give or take? Were Bully Brooks" back
10 congress, with his cane, would Kelley
give him the lie? Kelley knew there was
no danger in Offering insul, to that valiant
soldier, John A. Logan. Chicago Times