Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-17

the United States himself would not be
taken III court, excep, or oath. Mr. l..
said he greatly respected the gentleman
he had referred TO, but he did not consi-
der the House at liberty TO take "a step
which would compromit the meanest man
In the UAited States, except on the oath
of his accuser. Besides, said Mr.. l.. we
have no authority over John Anderson,
admitting the charge against him TO be
substaniiated: there is no statute of the
United States, though there are in most
of the individual states, declaring bribe-
ry an offence. Far be ii from me 10 con-
tend, that this body cannot protect itself:
that we can do by our own rules and re-
gulatloDs-but we cannot extend them
beyoiid the verge of this House. The
Sergeant at Arms might command the
whole military force OF the United States,
could il possibly become necessary, 10
put out of this House man disturbing
its peace. Mr.. l.. said, he knew very well
there was precedent on record of Il
course similar to that now proposed: and
he also knew, that the most eminent men
of the United States deprecated that de-
cisiOn when ii took place. When the
subject was before the Congress, in 1900,
he believed, those who favored the pro
ceeding sustained themselves OF the an
thority OF the practice of the British Par
lament; they were high handed par
ty majority, fullof British notions, and
fond of British presidents. Those who
were opposed TO that course were the
whole body of the Republican members,
with the great Jefferson at their head
Mr.. L. hoped, he repeated, that but one
resolution would pass on this occasion
and that it should be, that the warrant
TO-. 4 l.o rnI., III. 4
had been Irregulariy and improperly is
sued, and that lie be therefore forthwith
discharged.
Mr.. TUCKER, Of Va. said lie should not
do his duty, if he did moi, on the present
question, give the gentleman from Geor-
gia his hearty support; not that he was
certain he should give linn the same sup
port IN all his views Oft this subject. The
proper course, in the opinion of Mr.. #.
would be TO provide by a general law for
the punishment of contempts against
either House Of Congress bur, he asked,
was il not the duty of the House, on this
and on every other occasion, 10 deliber-
ale in that m amer which afforded the
best lights on any subject, and which it
became the dignity of the House 10 pur
sue? No matter how light the subject
might be that was proposed 10 the con-
sderation of the House, he should not
choose TO act on il without calling on
some committee of The House 10 take it
into their particular consideration, and
TO produce clear and connected view of
II. And was this an occasion, on which,
by lasty procedure, todepart from that
course Would the House at once de-
clare that its members might be approach
ed by the vilest miscreants on the face of
mo frln na Laf 10 tnr
10 project theirrights Isany member pre-
pared to say, that there exists in this
House no power TO repel the approaches
of bribery and corruption The consti-
tuition creating this body is dead letter,
is mere waste paper, (said Mr.. ~ if we
have no power to protect ourselves from
violence of this description, in the exer-
else of Our duties. That part of the con-
stitution giving TO Congress all power ne
cessary TO carry into effect the delegated
powers, has no value, fit do not apply TO
The present case. For his part, Mr.. r.
said, he had no manner OF doubt as to the
power of This House to project itself, and
none Of the expedicncy of the course now
proposed. But, at the same time, he
doubted the proprlety Vt suffering the
laws 10 remain IN their present situation,
so as 10 compel the House to act in this
way. Until general law should pass,
NIT said, he mad no doubtthe House had
the power within itself to punish any per-
son who should attempt to bride one of
lis members. The propercouTse, he con-
ceiyed, would be, warned by this incident,
10 appoint a committee to report bill to
punish such offences, &c. He should not
commit himself at present as to the final
course for the House but ii appeared TO
him, that every member from the neces-
sity the House was under Of protecting
itself, would wish 10 see that course pur-
sued which would best promote due
consideration of the subiect--wlncli was
the usual process Of referring the subject
TO committee.
Mr.. HOPKINsoN, Of Penn. rose in sup
port Of the proposition before the House.
This question, he said, was not new one
il had bceen heretofore solemnly debated
aud adjudged and all the objections now
expressed had been brought forward, in
their greatest force, without effect and
lie precedent then established was enfi-
He'd to respect. In that case TO which he
referred, il was well known full Oppor-
tnnity was given for The freest discussion,
The parties arraigned at the bar having
been heard by their counsel OF this ques
lion. But, Mr.. H. said, the weight OF
That precedent was attempted TO be des-
iroycd in most extraordinary manner
by tie honorable gentleman from New
Hampshire, who had minated that the
House at that day did not decide the
question on knowledge Of the provisions
Of the constitution, but on party priuci-
pies. MIR. II. begged the gentleman from
n. Hampshire TO Tell the House how he
knew The motives Of the members of that
o.. l,.,
10 enter their hearts, and see that they did
NOT decide flic niieetinn on nnr ntrfi Iatue