Congressional Manners

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CONGRESSIONAL MANNERS.—

Mr. Keitt,¹ the colleague, friend and eulogist of the late Preston S. Brooks,² has essayed to play principal (instead of second, as before) in a Congressional outrage, and has got the worst of it. He has shown more bravery, but less discretion, than his late colleague. Brooks took Sumner³ when alone and seated; Keitt was rash enough to assail Grow⁴ standing, and in the presence of his friends. Consequently, instead of having a victory like that of Brooks to boast of, Mr. Keitt was ignominiously floored.

Such an incident as this is to be deplored, not so much as a solitary occurrence, but as a manifestation of the prevailing grossness and indecency of manners and habits, which a prolonged residence at Washington hotels, and frequent resort to Washington bar-rooms, is apt to engender. The only remedy for occasional outbreaks such as this, is to be found in the amelioration of Washington society—at present consisting mainly of two classes—politicians preying upon the treasury, and harpies preying upon the politicians. It is a growing opinion that it should become the fashion of all very wealthy Americans to own houses in Washington, and to occupy them during the Congressional session. This would have a wholesome effect upon those unlicked cubs, who come pouring in from the backwoods, without a knowledge of the decencies of life, and who find their chief amusements in the gambling houses and restaurants of the City. It would have a wholesome effect, also, upon those of the national representatives who are better bred, but are not restrained sufficiently in their conduct, for want of proper associations. Most of our wild legislation, as well as the occasional outrages on the floor of the House, are owing to the absence of proper moral restraints, and may be traced to the vices into which a residence in Washington betrays our representatives.

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