The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-04-19


icised 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 q serious nature have been preferred,
it is a significant fact that nobody has
arraigned the Fifty-third congress for
RIGHTEOUSNESS or moral depravity.
1t is indicative of the elevated moral
tone of the entire country that better
and pursr 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 o slugSer
and brutal beaten of other men. It
would also be practically impossible for
any community to send a professional
gambler to congress; but if such a
thing were done the gambler would GER
4ainly be expelled from the house of
representatives if he undertook to es.
tsblish a gambling house in Washing.
ton and run that kind Of business
during his term of membership in the
house. And yet, thirty years ago, John
Morrissey, professional prize fighter,
was . member of the house of repre-
sentstives, kept gambling house on
Pennsylvania avenue, and was at the
same time regarded as q popular repre-
h,- 1ar "a, cf Ia -,
Washington city. Within . single
generation the moral tone of the entire
country has been so elevated that such
man could not now live such life and
prosper in the glare of public opinion.
The members of the house of repre-
sentatives, one year ago, were inclined
10 take official notice Of the trial of
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 exces-
sive drinking was noted. In the very
early days of the republic our states
men INDUCED In swearing, fighting,
drinking, gambling and carousing. 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: II have a mind TO
come back there and teach you good
manners"
IF you come, Lyon" cried Griswold.
''don't forget to bring your wooden
sword alluding to the fact that the
Vermonter was drummed out of the
nrny during the revolution. Lyon,
without word, but in a frenzy of
rage, crossed the room and deliberate
~ spat in Griswold's face. There was
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 timccould not fully indicate
Its purport. The motion to expel was
defeated, whereupon Griswoid ran over
TO Lyons seat, jerked him out OF il.
threw him down and beat him on the
door 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
been done. Such scene would be
wholly impossible during the present
generation, for our people have grown
better as well as wiser than their an-
cestors Were
With one exception during recent
years we have not only had better men
In congress, but men of stainless repu-
tation in the white house. Never again
will our people place in the presi0e2-
tial Office a man whose hands ars