The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-26
PRECEDENT FOR SENATORIAL
BAD MANNERS.

1t is in no sense an excuse for the
conduct of Senator'S TiIIman and Nc.
Laurin to say that they are not the frs
Senators who have come to blows in the
Senate Chamber and in the capitol. The
most modern instance was when Senator
Blackburn pulled Senator Chambers
room and was not deemed so heinous ar
offence. Besides everybody wanted
Chambers nose pulled little, and felt
like thanking Blackburn for doing it,
There came very near being a personal
encounter between Henry Clay and
Thomas H. Benton in the Twenty-second
Congress. In debate on President
Jackson's veto Of the bill -charteriEe
the Bank of the United States, these two
distinguished statesmen used unparlia-
mentary language. Mr.. Benton. who was
defending General Jackson, charged
Henry Clay. with using indecorous Ian
guage about the President, when this de-
bate, as printed in the records OF that
day. followed:
MIR. Clay-There are some peculiar
reasons why l should not go to that Sen
ator for my views of decorum, in regard
to my bearing toward the Chief MagiS-
trate, and why he is not q fit instructor.
\ never had any personal encounter with
the President OF the United States
(Benton had been involved in street
fight with General Jackson in Nashville,
in 1881 / never complained of any out
RACES on my person committed by him.
jackson had struck Benton with a
horsewhlp) I never published any bulle-
tins respecting his private brawls. =
never declared my apprehension and
belief that II he were elected we should
be obliged to legislate with pistols and
dirks by our side.
"Mr. Benton--It is true. sir, that l had
an ARRAY with General Jackson, and that
did COMPLAIN of his conduct. We fought.
sir, and we fought, | hope, like men.
When the explosion was over there re-
manned no i'll will on either side. 8
There Is no adjourned question of We
racity' between me and General Jackson.
II there had been. gulf would have sep
arated us. as deep as hell"
MIR. Clay-General Jackson made q
certain charge (of bargain) against me.
and he referred to witnesses to prove 1t.
denied the truth OF the charge. He
called upon his witness to prove it..
leave to the country whether that witness
sustained the truth OF the Presidents
allegation. The witness (Mr. Buchanan
is now on his passage to st. Petersburg,
With commission in his pocket. (Mr.
Clay reverted TO the dirk and pistol re-
mark attributed to Mr.. Benton.) Can
you look me in the face and say you
never used that language"
"Mr. Benton--I look, sir, and repeat
that it is an atrocious calumny; and
will pin 1t to him who repeats it here
MIR. Clay-Then declare before the
Senate that you said to me the very
Words
"Mr. Benton-False, False! False"
Mr.. Clay--I fling back the charge of
atrocious calumny upon the Senator from
Missouri"
They were about to come to blows, but
In that slow age could not jump over
desks as sprily as Tillman, and Senator's
were able TO separate them before they
clinched. Later they both apologized, but
they were rather queer apologies. Here
is the record:
"Mr. Benton-I apologize to the Senate
for the manner In which l have spoken;
but not to the Senator from Kentucky"
Mr.. Clay-To the Senate / also offer
an apology. To the Senator from Mis-
souri, noue."