The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-08-28


In 1920 he was appointed a factor among
the Cherokee Indians in Arkansas and when
that territory was organized he was elected
the first delegate to Congress, but did not |
live to take his t, having died at Spadra |
Bluff, Arkansas, Aug. /, 1922. In 1910 o
law was passed paying to his heir 81 ,o60,-
80 and the interest on the same from 1870,
he having been convicted under the sedi-
ton laws, imprisoned and made to pay the
first mentioned sum. In fact 1t was while
in prison at Vergenncs that he was elected
to Congress from Vermont, which shows
cmphatically how the matter was regarded
by the square patriots of the then new
State. (l799.) The Phaodelphid Dispatch
gives the following account of the "scrim.
mage. -
A FIGHT IN CONGRESS- IN 1896.
An occurrence in Congress between two
members, Mathew Lyon, of Vermont, and
Roger Griswold, of Connecticut, added new
fuel to the political excitement of the times.
While balloting for members of the commit
tee on Blount's impeachment, on the 22d of
the bar by making some illusions to story
that, during the Revolution, Lyon had been
compelled to wear 1cooden sword, on ac-
count of cowardicc in the field. Justly irri-
tated at this insinuation, Lyon deliberately
spat in Griswolds face. A great commo-
ton Immediately ensued. Sewell moved
Griswold should be expelled instantly; but
this action was moderated by the appoint
ment OF committee of inyestigati This
committee reported in favor of the expul-
sion of Lyon, which resolution was lost.
This result seems to have stimulated Girls
void into aggression. On the 10th of Feb
ruary, while Lyon was writing at his desk
Griswold came up to him and struck him
over the head and shoulders with club.
Lyon managed to get up, and, scizing
tongs, returned the blows. A regular fight
ensued. After belaboring each other for
short time, the parties were separated. Sub
sequently they again met in one ofthe ante
rooms, when Lyon made an attack upon
Griswold with n stick. SitgreavesN ran
out, and Immediately returned with nick
DRY club, which he gave to Grswold
more serious fight than had yet taken place
was likely to have occurred but the par
Ii were again separated. Resolutions
were now reported for the expulsion of
both of these dsorderly members; but their
services could not be spared by the respcc-
tive parties to which they were attached,
and the dignity of the House was not vindi-
tated by a decided action.
The affair received the full attention of
the party press throughout the country.
Several poetical satircs were issued. The
following is an extract from one entitled
"lhe Legislative Pugilists," written by
Francis Guy
Mathew Lyon, ofvermont-you know,
That hottest and gray-headed Pat
In whose veins, srs, high blood did flow,
Was faithful and sound Democrat.
lie would swear that he did not proceed
From any high-blood sons OF riches
From the Cromwell of Puritan breed
Those hungry unfortunate wretches,
Under mask of religion and order
He wondered to hear members pratt,
In Congress about their high blood, SIR
In the course OF a lengthy debate.
lie labored to be understood, sir;
| That his father and mother were good
Had masculine sons sound and healthy
He boosted not high but good blood
AS OTIS had done, sir5, OF late
Then Lyon, with courage, attacks
| Some men who degraded their station,
And proved from numerous facts
How baSely they'd humbugged the nation.
Said he: "Had time for to spare,
I'd throw all your plots In confusion;
Let your constituents know what you are
|
And damn all your place-huntlng schemes"
When Grlswold had heard him say So,
| He roared out a mSchievouS word. sir,
| Saying: "LyOn, wherever you go.
Pray carry your old wooden sword" sir
rhS bslpg spa ansIea Te dIsSrace SIR
In haste then did Lyon let Fly
mouthful OF spit In his face, Sir.
As token OF what he would do
This part OF the play being Der
The next was little more tragic
| There arose, sir, n violent uproar-
1t seemed the production OF magic;
| For Griswold arose from his seat
Struck Lyon, sir, as he was writing,
| A cry was soon heard In the street,
"Lord save us 1.-THE Congress is lighting.
Pretty work for six dollars day.
The battle that RACES, who knows
TO which side the victory belongs?
Lyon seems to have got some hard blows,
But now he has grappled the tongs.
GrIswold seeing this, he thought best,
Though armed with ten plated skull, sir,
To come 10 closer contest,
A1d hight Ike dog with bull Sir,
Pretty work for six dollars day
Lord Dayton conducted the fight.
And ordered things as he Thought meet, sir {:
But his lordshlp was shocked at the sight,
Being second, his lordship bawled out,
pull not the feet. but by the shoulders :"
For Sewel and Sitgreaves, no doubt,
over night were made bottle-hoders--
For the Tories had met in conciave
4 complaint was soon lodged with the Mayor
Gainst the House for disorder and riot
Requesting the said Mr.. Mayor
To expel them or bid them be quiet
When, in wisdom, the Mayor agreed,
Twas truly SIM shame, and pity
"But of patience" said he. "yOu have need
TIL they go TO the Federal city
And they ne'er Will disturb you again.,
An eminent lawyer OF Easton Pa
Harrison GRAY Otis, OF Boston.
Jonathan Dayton, of New York, Speaker OF the
House.
Our old friend, Is. +. wilkins, a veteran
printer AMI an honor to the craft, but who
for nearly ten years has held a responsible
position in the War Department, and to
whom ! am under special Obligations, is
undergoing the process of regeneration in
the healthladen breezes of old Vermont.
1t he appreciates, as / could, the sunrise
that gilds Pico with cloud of glory, he
will be in no hurry to return to this water
logged country, where it has raned almost
constantly for the last three weeks. Our
greatest rain fall thus far was seven inches
in thirty-six hours.
The numerous friends of A. B. Foot,
now in the War Department, the author
OF several very popular poems which had
an extensive newspaper circulation, will
be glad to learn that he is in fiourishing
condition. Among his many mcritorious
acts has been that of becoming parent to
Miss Carrie, who has blossomed into
rare flower of womanhood, who is now