The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-04-26

cised and lampooned, as well as car
TONED, in a manner more excessive and
relentless than political leaders have
ever been subjected to before. But, in
the midst of it all. while many charges
of n serious nature have been preferred,
it is n significant fact that nobody has
nrraigned the Fifty-third congress for
/ Righteousness or moral depravity.
! 1t is Indicative of the elevated moral
tone of the entire country that better
and purer men are constantly being
selected and sent to the senate and
house of Representatives in the national
capital. 1t would be practically impos-
sible for any community in this period
of our history to send professional
prize fighter to congress, solely on the
/ ground OF his reputation as a slugger
and brutal beaten of other men. 1t
would also be practically impossible for
any community to send 4 professional
gambler to. congress; but if such a
thing were done the gambler would GER
tainly be expelled from the house of
representatives if he undertook to es-
tablish n gambling house in Washing
during his term of membership in the
house. And yet, thirty years ago, John
Morrissey, professional prize fighter,
was Il member OF the house of repre-
sentatives, kept a gambling house on
Pennsylvania avenue, and was at the
same time regarded as popular repre-
sentative by large class of people in
Washington city. Within a single
generation the moral tone of the entire
country has been so.elevated that such
man could not now live such Il life and
prosper in the glare of public opinion.
The members of the house of repre-
sentativeS, one year ago, were inclined
to take official notice of the trial of a
certain member of congress, but, upon
reflection, concluded to leave, and did
leave, Col breckenridge to the judg-
ment of the people of the Ashland dis
trict. The verdict of that people was
against immortality; and with the close
of the Fifty-third congress on March 4,
the public career of Col. breckenridge
also closed.
During the Fifty-frst congress there
were many stormy scenes and at least
one personal encounter between repre-
sentatives; but no gambling nor Excess
sivc drinking was noted. In the very
early days of the republic our states
men INDUCED in swearing, fighting,
drinking, gambling and ca-ousing. In
179S there was dreadful scene IN the
house of Representatives. Roger Girls
void, of Connecticut, and Matthew
Lyon. of Vermont, came to blows.
After a hot war Of words, Lyon
shouted to Griswold: Il have mind to
come back there and teach you good
manners"
If you come, Lyon" cried Griswold,
don't forget to bring your wooden
sword abiding to the fact that the
VermOnter was drummed out of the
army during the revolution. Lyon,
without Il word, but in a frenzy of
rage, crossed the room and deliberate
" spat in Griswold's face. There was
a motion to expel him, and during its
tendency the offender made a speech
in self-defense which was so obscene
that.the newspapers of even that free
and-easy time could not fully indicate
its purpOrt. The motion to expel was
defeated, whereupon Griswold ran over
to Lyons seat, jerl1ed him out of it,
threw him down and beat him on the
floor of the house. Lyon escaped to
the fireplace and defended himself
with the tongs, but was beaten again.
Friends of the parties at last interfered
and the battle came to an end; but
only after considerable damage had