In 1902, a now-famous fistfight broke out on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Was the public shocked or upset by this breach of decorum?

by TooQuanyMestions

For example, https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Senate_Fistfight.htm describes the event, but only discusses the Senate's reaction to censure both involved Senators. And notes that one won re-election. Also from that article

From its earliest days, the Senate has consistently stressed the importance of decorum in its proceedings. Of the Senate's first 20 rules, 10 dealt with proper behavior.

In a more general sense, how much has decorum and respect changed over time in the U.S. Senate? Have some times been clearly more acrimonious than others, or has the body generally lived up to Jefferson's ideals?

freedmenspatrol

It's not Senator-on-Senator violence, but Preston Brooks (D-SC) was able to break his cane over the head of a defenseless Charles Sumner (R-MA) in May of 1856. Happened right on the floor of the Senate, even. Brooks planned it for a few days, took advice from fellow Congressmen on how to go about it, and got away with a censure. Brooks then resigned and was immediately re-elected. At the time, some Southern senators exhibited indifference to approval of the assault. Only Senators from free state condemned it.

If you'd like to read a tiny bit vastly more about the Brooks-Sumner affair, wherein Brooks kept going even after breaking his cane until physically wrestled away, I recently wrote about it.