The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-22
rpr~Ctt ruANHFR OF DEPUTIES.

The people OF European counties are very
much disposed to hold the United States up
as an example Of indifference to order sad
decorum This Indifference Is said to extend
not only 10 the ordinary social and personal
relations but also to occasions on which the
utmost dignity aud self-control are demanded.
If the narratives of such recent visitors to
America as Edward Wakefield and Lepel
Griffin are TO be implicitly believed there 10
in the American heart an innate love Of
violence which displays itself IN duels and
street fighting as well as in fsticu6s on the
floor of legislative halls The most common
attitudes of the American people. according
to these writer's, are those of attack and de-
Tense
Every now and then there occurs some
thing in Europe that leads us u think that
after all the charge of violence should not
be confined to the civilization of our con-
tinent. Has there ever been observed IN our
American Congress scene more repusnant
10 the spirit of propriety and decency than
that which marked the proceedings Of the
French Chamber Of Deputies Tuesday, As
one Of the deputies was descending the
tribune. after Offering a resolution which was
highly offensive to one of the members of
the Cabinet. the latter deliberately walked
forward and struck him squarely, and with
all the force which he could command. di-
rectly in the face the action being performed
before the whole assembly and in the most
conspicuous part of the chamber.
Nothing as outrageous ana unparliamentary
-
our House Of Representatives. in spite OF the
fact that the members have been divided into
parties which have been arrayed against each
other as bitterly as the Mountain during the
revolutionary era in France was arrayed
against the Girondists. There have on seve-
raj occasions been exhibitions of uncontrolla-
bic feeling which would have led to personal
violence bat for the interference of the sur
rounding members, who as a body. In spite Of
the prevailing excitement. retained their APP
probation Of tho necessity Of preserving the
dignity of their assembly. The assault upon
Charles Sumner in the Senate chamber was
committed after the adjournment of the
Senate and WAS therefore no infringement
upon the dignity of that body while in session.
which we have referred, there does not APP
pear to have been any effort made to inter
fere NJ COnstans advanced and struck NJ.
Laur without his course being INSTRUCTED by
the slightest opposition, and when the blow
was delivered the supporters OF the Govern
mant. who constituted the majority OF the as
sembly. approved it with enthusiastic cheer
ing Il must be remembered that this scene
occurred IN the highest legislative body OF
France. the nation which claims to be the
most enlightened in the world and in Paris.
the city which looks upon itself rs the very
centre of modern civilization.
The deputies did not seem to be content
with the feat Of NJ Cons;ans. Being adj
journsd at once by the President TO avoid a
riot in the chamber, they gathered in excited
groups in the Hobbies. In very short time
there were a number of fights. and as the
prospect of a general scrimmage increased
the sergeants-at-srms elected the excited
deputies from the building, but only after
several duels had been arranged for the next
day
In the light Of this curious scene in the
French capital, we would respectfully urge
orr English critics to seek 10 reform the civil
zation of the French before they undertake
similar task in the United States.