The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1878-03-03
Congressional Quarreis.

SohG NoSiohtti
The Chicago Tribune in commenting
upon the quarrel in the United States
Senate between Senators Conkling and
Gordon goes back to the old times and
drags to light the numerous qnarrels DO.
tween the hot blooded congressman Of
those times.
A quarrel then meant something more
than display Of fsleufFs. First among
the Congressional brawles, in point Of
originality and time, was Matthew Lyon,
who attacked Griswold, of Connecticut.
with fre-shoyel during the open session
in 1898. Contemporary records assert
that this was one Of the most interesting
differences of opinion ever seen in the
House, but the chronicler neglects to say
which one Of the combatants carried of
the honors Of the occasion. There were
in those early days also many challenges
between eminent statesmen for words
spoken in and out Of Congress. Dewitt
Clinton fought a duel with John Swart-
bout in 1902, and another with Gen. Day.
BRONX, Of New Jersey, in 1903. The
famous duel between Hamilton and Burr
occurred in 1904, Henry Clay fought
the first time with Humphrey Marshall
in 1903, and the second time with John
Randolph in 1926, indicating in this
manner his honor against the statement
that his vote for John Quincy Adams
was "the coalition of Puritan with a
blackleg" Thomas II, Benton and An.
drew Jackson both fought duels. Mr.
Cilley, Of Maine, was killed in duel by
Graves, of Kentucky, in 1888. A num-
Der Of duels and personal encounters,
more or less serious, grow out of the
Brpoks-Sumner affair. Besides the phys.
ical injuries inflicted upon Mr.. Sumne.,
from which he never recovered, chal.
lcnge passed between Arson Burlingame
and Brooks. The weapons named were
rifles and the place Navy Island, above
Niagara Falls. Brooks refused to keep
the appointment, alleging that it would
not be safe for him to travel through the
North in the then excited state of public
feeling. Burlingame was on hand ready
to proceed. lie gained great popularity
for his conduct in this affair; but the
Puritan sense Of Massachusetts, when it
had time to cool, was against him, and
he lost his election a few years afterwards,
though not solely on this account. He
had another serious encounter with Keitt,
Of South Carolina, Barksdalc, Of Mis-
,issippi, who assisted Brooks in his as
'ault upon Sumner, was noted fighter
in his day. In one scrimmage in the
House he took hold Of spittoon as an
offensive weapon, and had his wig pulled
of. Punch did the scene up in cartoon.
He was at last killed at Gettysburg.
A memorable quarrel, which induced
preparations fer duel, was that between
Jefferson Davis and Bissell, Of Illinois.
The affair fell through, but it added
something to the reputation Of Bissell,
who was aiterwari elected Governor Of
Illinois, and had his title disputed on
the score Of his disqualification, as
party to duel under the law. Potter,
Of Wisconsin, and Pryor, Of. Virginia,
had an affair Of honor, which was ter.
minated by the selection Of bowie-knives
as the weapons by the former. Pryor
rctroated, asserting that no gentleman
could fight with bowie-knives, and Pot
ter was known TO fame as bowie-knife
Potter. Ducr, of New York, gave the
lie to Mead, Of Virginia, in debate, but
no duel followed. Foote, Of Mississippi,
struck Fremont in the ante-room OF the
Senate Chamber, but smoothed tho
matter down by an ample apology. He
had more serious difficulty with Ben
ton, upon whom he drew a revolver in
the open senate. Five rcn caught hold
Of Foote, and four seized Benton. The
former was disarmed and the latter cried
out; "Let the assassin shoot" Senator
Borland struck Census Commissioner
Kennedy in the grounds Of the capitol.
Grinnell, Of Iowa, was cowhided in the
retunda by Rousseau, of Kentucky
Greeley was knocked down by Rust in
the street, offering no resistance; and
there have been various other ARRAYS,
more or lcss momentous and disgracefl
There have been no fatal duels among
Congressman, with the exception of tho
ono which resulted in the death Of Cilley,
already referred to, The Southsmcrs.