After Rep. Martin Sweeney of Ohio delivered a scathing attack on the Roosevelt administration for allegedly using conscription as a way to get the United States into the war, Rep. Beverly Vincent of Kentucky, who was next to Sweeney, loudly muttered that he refused “to sit by a traitor.” Sweeney swung at Vincent, who responded with a sharp right to the jaw that sent Sweeney staggering. It was, said the House doorkeeper, the best punch thrown by a member of Congress in fifty years. . Lynne Olson
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In May of 1918, a small group of Members of Congress, many of whom were former military officers, planned a motion to censure the president for going to war without a congressional declaration. They gathered in the House, unfurled a large banner which read "Conscription" and began to loudly denounce President Wilson. On this day, Representative Wilson hadn't yet left the White House for his annual summer vacation. Hearing the commotion, he went down to see what was happening. He was soon confronted by Congressman Martin Sweeney of Ohio who demanded that he leave office immediately, noting that he hadn't sought nor received the consent of Congress prior to declaring war on Germany. After listening to Sweeney's speech, Wilson angrily confronted him and angrily retorted that he hadn't discussed conscription with anyone in Congress until after giving his address on April 2nd.

Before Sweeney could respond, Congressman Beverly Vincent of Kentucky swung at Sweeney, who responded with a sharp right to the jaw that sent Vincent staggering backwards. It was said at the time that it was one of the best punches thrown by a Congressman in fifty years.

Source: Those Angry Days: Roosevelt, Lindbergh, And Americas Fight Over World War Ii, 19391941

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