A SCENE IN THE AMERICAN CONGRESS.
On the 12th of July the decorum which has hitherto marked the proceedings of this session of Congress was most grossly invaded by Mr. Richardson, of Illinois. Mr. Allen, Democrat, Ohio, referred to a statement made some time ago by Mr. Richardson relative to the cost of maintaining contrabands in the city of Washington. He was interrupted by Mr. Blake (Republican, Ohio), who said that the statement of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Richardson) was not sustained by any authentic information.
Mr. Richardson (pulling up his sleeves and attitudinising) asked, menacingly : Do I understand the gentleman from Ohio to deny that the Government was paying 200 dols. a day for the employment and support of the negroes \ Mr. Blake : I deny that the statement in your speech is true — to the effect that there were 2000 rations a day issued to contrabands, equal to 400 dols. a day, in this district alone, in violation of law. Mr. Richardson : That speech was made on the 19th of May, ancl no member in the House has dared to rise in his place and deny a single statement in it until now. Mr. Blake : Because no man could get the floor for that purpose. Mr. Richardson (excitedly) : Ah, sir, the gentleman states a falsehood when he states that no gentleman could get the floor. No gentleman has risen in his place and denied the statement when there was time to raise an investigating Committee to examine into it, and I charge the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Blake), and every other gentleman who denies it, with stating a falsehood. Mr. Blake : And I charge the gentleman from Illinois with uttering what is utterly untrue and unfounded, and I am ready to back that up. Mr. Richardson (advancing menacingly): Are you \ We will see. Mr. Blake : I am not to be intimidated by any of your threats, sir. Mr. Richardson, with another pull to his coat sleeves, advanced a few steps to Mr. Blake, but was stopped by the Ser-geant-at-arms, who kept him at bay while he scowled at Mr. Blake, who cried out from his standpoint, " Let him come — let him come on!" — Mr. Richardson cried out, at the top of his Toice, " The gentleman is a G— d d — d liar.'' There were not two dozen members scattered about the hall at the time, and these at once began to concentrate at hearing these disgraceful words. Mr. Richardson then took a seat. In a few minutes afterwards, Mr. Blake walked over to Mr. Richardson, and stooped toward him, with the evident intention of explaining away the misunderstanding that had followed from his remarks ; but, instantly, Mr. Richardson cried out, with a howl, "G— d d — n you, get out of this — clear out." Mir. Slake cleared out.-»-iV&M* YorJs Tribune* ' ' ' '
A SCENE IN THE AMERICAN CONGRESS.
Southland Times, Volume I, Issue I, 14 November 1862, Page 4
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