The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-07
The Hall of the House Has Been
the Arena of Pugilistic
Encounters.
SOME MEMORABLE SCENES.
Hon. Galusha A. Grow Knocked Out
an Antagonist Three Times
in One Night.

|
proceedings from day to day, and whose
eyes are gladdened by an Occasional
glimpse of his jealous member as he pose,
before the country in his first Congress
sional clothes, is reminded by nothing
that transpires in these tame opening days
of a newly constituted National Legisla.
| ture OF the many thrilling scenes that were
enacted upon that floor in the earlier Con-
crosses, says the Washington Times.
There have been since the "Fifties''
| some very exciting impromptu exhibitions
there, as, for example, the struggle over
| the force bill; the episode in which Messrs
Washburn and nonnelly and Rosssau and
Grinnen figured; the pyrotechnic display
over the election of '76, and other events oil
more or less gravity. But the ante-belIum
struggles were more noteworthy because
of their unhappy elimination, and for the
additional reason that at that time the
familiarity which breeds contempt had not
materialiZed as to that particular feature.
Three OF those occurrences, handed
down from the Aud Lang Syne by the
Congressional Globe, have but rarely been
referred to in print and as some of the
principals are still in active political life
and others are well remembered, a repro
duction at this time will be OF interest.
II one had not the privilege of view of
the swift-passing panorama when Gear
| Reed" was earning his spurs as Speaker of
the Fltty-hrst Congress, or when his sue
cessor held sway in the Fifty-second, he
will probably have no conception of what
can be done In the hall of the National
| councils, and If, in a casual scrutiny of
those In view his glance should fall upon
the tall, still erect and evidently vigorous
form of the Hon. Galusha A. Grow, pres
| ent venerable Congressman at-large from
| the State OF Pennsylvania, he would, with
out previous knowledge or present re-
! mlnder, be very apt to pass by the gray
| hairs OF the old-timer without thought
OF selecting their owner as sample pugil-
1stlc champion of personal liberty.
Mr.. Grow was and is much more than
that designation implies, but for the pur-
! poses OF this story the term must stand
| Mr.. Buchanan submitted to Congress on
the 1st or February, 1858, a state paper
that was, IN measure, counterpart of
| the one Just now under discussion as the
product of Mr.. Cleveland.
1t was special message, but it did not
come to united body. 1t was of vital i'm
| portance, as is the present one, and it
enumerated great principle and chal-
lenged the attention of Congress and the
country. 1t conveyed in its lines a sus.
| picion of war, as does that on the Vene-
zuelan question, but, unhappily, it referred
to a strife OF next of kin, while the present
| one, II the analogy shall be carried to the
end, will be battle of the reunited house
hold against an ancient foe.
President Buchanan inclosed with his
message, with his Endorsement a COPY of
the Lecompton constitution, which had
been brought to Washington by John c.
Calhoun.
The House was soon in a state of almost
complete disorder, and various PROPOSE
tons were advocated concerning its proper
disposition, including one of reference.
The President had said that by the admis-
sion OF Kansas at that session the clark
and ominous clouds would be dissipated
but in the event that the proposition
should be negatived 'those clouds would
become darker and more omlnous than
ever yet threatened the constitution and
the Union"
There was an all-night session on the
succeeding 9Th of February, with the Gus
tomary scenes, grave. solemn, farcical and
ridiculous.
Clerk after clerk broke down in the ex-
erclse OF calling the roll and the proceed
lngs lapsed into state of exceeding dull
ness, one-third of the member being
asleep. few were engaged in SMOKING
and tradition informs US a small uropor-
ton of the Solons were keeping the fraiI
hot between the hail and the "hole in the
wall, F" where the liquid refreshments were
served.
A member asked for permission to send
for "daguerreotypist' to "take view of
the scenes" whereupon another INQUIRED:
"How IN the devil can they take pictures
by gaslightP' A query which in this dav
OF advanced science would not be pro-
pounded.
Mr.. Davis-Reuben, not the other one
of Mississippi, asked for permission to
speak an hour, and then addressed himself
briefly to privileged question, complain
ing that the heat of the gas was blistering
his head, which was quite bald, and asked
permission to cover his pate with his
handkerchief. Another member with a
bald head objected. at a late hour, when
fatigued Congressman were occupying
sofas and seats, many of them slumbering
to the verge of snoring, Mr.. Quitman of
Mississippi arose to address the Honse
He had no authority, he said, to speak for
his friends. but suggested that they come
to an understanding that all motions sub
sequent to the previous question should be |
withdrawn.
Mr.. Grow was walking down the aisle on |
the Democratic side, when Mr. Keith,
prominent Southerner, accompanied by |
friend Of his, approached the Pennsylva-
man.
A scuffie ensued between Grow and |
Keith, which instantly threw the House
into the most violent excitement. Blows |
were exchanged by the principal belliger-
ems DelOre tney cOulu De separated, and |
almost Immediately thereafter Keith again
aimed blow at his adversary, whereupon |
Grow knocked him down.
This was The signal for a general fight.
and various membe were engaged in the |
area fronting the clerks desk. Washburne
of Illinois and Potter of Wisconsin, history
informs us, were conspicuous in the scrim
mage, dealing their blows with great mus
cular force in all directions 1t had its
funny features, too, one being supplied
when Covode of Pennsylvania, in defense
OF his Keystone colleague, raised mon
strous spittoon on high and was about to
strike Barksdale of Mississippi.
At this juncture the latter's wig fell off. I
revealing a pate as bald as his hand.
Covode, appalled, at the spectacle, dropped
his weapon with its wealth of cigar-stubs
and retired permanently from the ring.
The Speaker demanded that the House
should be in order. and the House con-
tinued its scenes of extreme disorder until
Mr.. Grow was again involved. He inter
posed an objection to the remarks of a
Speaker and was ordered by his late adj
versary to go to his own side of the House.
"This is a free hail." Mr.. Grow retorted;
every man has a right to be where he
pleases.'
Keitt demanded to know what wac