New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-10-05
OH! THEY WERE THE
GRAND OLD DAYS
Capital Has Seen More Action
Than Hefin-Norton Bout

counter on the floor of the house the
Patrick Norton of North Dakota and
Representative Thomas J. Helm Of
Alabama recalls to mind similar oc-
currences In the halls of congress.
There used to be many of them back
in those good old days when there was
grill room in the capitol, where
the congressman and their guests
could lap up liquor and then go on
the floor of the house and start some
thing. Old timers In Washington
know of the brawls which originated
in that cafe, but with the coming Of
progressive congressman the bar
room became a thing of the past. And
with the coming of Jim Mann other
things around the Capitol became a
thing of the past.
Undoubtedly the passing of the
bar room in the Capitol caused less
fights and arguments but it is only
a short walk to Congress Hall hotel
and other places, where some men,
bers are wont to go to exchange
courtesies, sub, and other things.
One we'll known representative slid
a knife into a colored waiter several
months ago because the southern coon
had the audacity to say something
that riled the representative. Another
man representing a southern district
in congress fired a couple of shots at
a man on Pennsylvania avenue, while
the Capitol cloak room could tell
many tales Of doings of congress.
But it never will.
1t is the law that a congressman
cannot be arrested without he COM
mits an indictable crime. From the
time he leaves his house in his home
town to attend a session of Congress,
until the time he gets back from that
session and safe in his own house,
he is immune from arrest. Natural
ly, he cannot commit murder or
arson, but a little matter like giving
the other fellow a bang in the jaw
or a cuff on the ear. Poof! A mere
nothing.
1t has been about - years since
in Congress until the Heflin-N Norton
bout. At that time Representative
Mondell Of Wyoming and Delegate
Wickersham of Alaska gave other
members a little recreation by engag-
ing in a little combat.
One of the quietest, unassuming
and mildest men in Congress is Rep
resentative Caleb Powers OF the elev-
enth district of Kentucky. Powers is
now studying law and hopes to finish
shortly. This young man at one
time was accused Of murder and was
actually sentenced to die. This re-
suited because of the killing of Sem
ator William Goebel in Kentucky.
Goebel was candidate for governor,
but a bullet ended his career. Pow
ers was locked up, tried. convicted.
and sentenced to be hanged, but he
was finally pardoned. Not, however.
until he had served eight years, three
months and three days in the jails
of old Kentuck After being par
doned Powers ran for Congress, was
elected and has been elected ever
since
The nearest to killing" that con-
gress ever witnessed occurred back
in 1850 when Senator Benton of Mis-
souri, barred his breast and dared
Senator Foote Of Mississippi to shoot
a defenseless man."
The rough and tumble wrestling
match between Norton and Hef1in
was an outgrowth of charges Hef1in
made that he could point his finger
to 10 or IA mem bers of congress who
had benefited from the $4,000 Won
Bernstorff 'slush fund.-" a charge
that Norton in speech on the floor
characterized as shameful, cowardly
and deserving of expulsion Of the
man making it.
Two days later Norton went from
his seat on the republican side to
where Hef1in was sitting on the
democratic side and asked Hef1in if
he had named him (Norton) as one
States. Heflin said he had not and
then the two men glared viciously at
each other, Norton standing directly
in front of Hef1in who was seated.
Hef1in then directed Norton to go
back on his own side of the house,
and in a moment they were locked in
each others arms and rolling all over
the seats until separated by other
members.
The gun-play between Senator Ben
ton and Senator Foote occurred in the
trying days of 1850 at the end of a
day of determination by Senator
FOote against the motives Of northern
Senators. Senator Benton had taken
an aggressive course Of opposition to
Foote, and while Foote was talking
Benton rushed at him. The Mississ-
ippian retreated, drawing a five cham
Der revolver from his pocket, which
Benton evidently did not see. Senator
Dodge of Wisconsin stopped Benton's
advance, begging him For Gods sake
do nothing to compromise yourself
with the Senate.
Benton started to return to his
desk, and then caught sight of the
pistol in Foote's hand. He then broke
away from the hold which Dodge had
upon his arm. turned around and tore
open his coat and shirt
Standing thus dramatically before
Foote, who had cooked his pistol, Ben
ton cried out:
II have no pistol. I disdain to car