Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-05-09
FAMOUS FIST FIGHTS
in HALLS OF CONGRESS.
Historic Pugilistic Events in Which Country's
Statesmen Have Engaged. Only Real
Fight in Senate that Between
Tillman and McLaurin
in 1902

The new seating arrangement IN the
representatives hall suggests Roman
circus, and the sittings OF the house
this spring may furnish Roman holi-
day. The 435 members sit on benches
arranged in q semi-circle and rising In
steps to give all a clear view Of the
arena in front Of the speakers desk
where the leaders in debate take their
places, and conduct the legislative con-
tests. This new arrangement may con-
duce to move orderly consideration OF
tariff legislation, and 1t may not. 1t will
however, centralize the proceedings,
and If they become dramatic, with ply
sical contests, it will be easy to confine
the actors to. the ring, and give all the
members a better view than under the
old arrangement.
Time has been when statesmen on
the hill used the old argument Of ply
sical force and pugilistic skill, and In
most of these instances the dramatic
features were marred by the lack OF
proper rules to keep the contestants In
the ring. They had weakness for
fighting anywhere in the hall, and with
anything that was within reach, and
there having been a number OF such
contests which were witnessed by few
of the members because there was no
ring and no rules and no programme.
There have been fights on the floor
with fists, with finger nails, with canes
and pokers, with books. pens and ink
wells, and they have so far ignored the
rules as to engage in hairpulling,
scratching, and biting. But with no
inkwells or pens or books or pokers ly-
ing around, there will be less abuse of
the rules governing fair fighting The
speaker can better referee the contests,
too, as they will be down in front OF
his desk, where he can see every move
made in the ring. Champ Clark has
confessed that his early ambition was
to be a prize fighter, and he may now
have an opportunity to act as referee
over fights In the new circus Of the
house Of representatives.
The Historic Lyon Griswold Fight.
This would be no reflection upon the
speaker at a time when we are reviv-
ing, or attempting to revive, and res
tore the Democratic simplicity Of the
earlier and better days of the republic.
It would be in keeping with prece-
dent established by Speaker Jonathan
Dayton in 1898. Speaker Dayton was
from New Jersey, and a graduate from
Princeton. He was soldier as well as a
college man. He was strict parlia-
mentarian. and he was also stickier
for the rules of the ring when men tried
to settle their personal differences In
the good old way. Speaker Dayton in
sisted on fair play in fight, even
when it took place on the floor while the
house was in session. He divided his
attention between efforts to keep the
house In order and in refereeing the
fight.
The incident which demonstrated
Speaker Dayton's impartiality was one
of the most sensational that is record
ed in the history Of the house. Matthew
Lyon, a representative from Vermont,
spat in the face Of Representative Ro-
ger Griswold, of Connecticut, and the
house had a very serious time investi-
eating that affair. Lyon was hot
headed Irishman who had been promi-
nent in the anti-revolutionary agita-
ton in Vermont, deputy paymaster in
the Continental army. Clerk of the
court Of confiscation In 1856, and was
afterwards elected a member or con-
gress. There were rumors Of irregular
ity in connection with his service In
the army, and one day. while the house
was considering charges of impeach-
ment against Mr.. Blount, Of Mississip-
pi. and the members were gathered In
groups chatting, as vote was taken,
Mr.. Griswold taunted Mr.. Lyon about
his war record. Mr.. Griswold had not
been in the army; he had graduated
from Yale, studied law, been on the
bench, and was now a student Of con.
gress. He was not fighting man, and
when he referred to Lyons war record
as discreditable the bluff Irishmar
spat in his face. Mr.. Griswold, either
through surprise or humiliation, did no
resent the insult at that time, but lef
to his colleague Representative Sew
ell of Massachusetts,, the responsibilit!
of bringing the matter to the attention
Of the house.
Mr.. Sewell felt that the humiliation
roapnhar ahn11l6 no
be given undue publicity, and he re-
uuested the house to go into executive
session to hear a report he had to max
touching a vice assault committed OF
one member by another. The speaker
at once ordered the galleries. cleared
the house went into secret session
heard what Mr. Sewell had to repor
and then not agreeing that the matte
should be considered behind close'
doors, resumed it's public session t
consider a resolution to expel Mr.. Lyol
for a violent attack and gross inde
cency committed on the person OF Ro
ger Griswold in the presence OF tn
house" After some debate the resolu
tlOn was TeIeTTeu W TIE SoIiihiNSSS W
privilege and election, with instruction
to investigate and report.
The publicity given to the insult ha
a greater effect on Mr.. Griswold tha
the insult, and two weeks later as n
entered the house and seeing Mr.. Lyo
sitting at his desk, he rushed upon hir
striking him over the head with cane
Mr.. Lyon was not a man to take pun
ishment without resistance. He man
aged to extricate himself from the com
bination of desk and chair, ran over t
the big fireplace, grabbed up the bras
tongs and went into battle. With can
and tongs the two men fought up an
down the aisle while the other member
crowded around to witness the strug
gle. The battle reached its climax o.
the steps to the speakers desk an
there the men fell with Lyon under
meath and Griswold on top. The speak