Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-12

ehS thouSSS III TsAiSlIlE COuliuttct, u uOpu mc
responsible tot jurisdiction, as the writer OF
the letter which has caused the present pro-
ceeding. There is, however, another view
Of the subject, which deserves notice. Hmay
be inferred, from the note of the committee,
that it is not so much its intention, in request
ing my attendance, to take jurisdiction over
me, as to avail themselves of my testimony,
which the Speaker has requested to have in
veshgated by the House. In this view, my
objection to attending is no less decisive than
the one already considered. It would always
afford me pleasure, when imperious duty did
not forbid, to give all the information in my
power to an investigation, which may be deem
ed by the House important to the character OF
am, it is manifest, if l should appear before
the committee, must be considered not so
much in the light of mere witness as that Of
an accuser, presenting charges against the
Speaker to the House, and those charges not
the specific statements contained in my letter,
but the more general and indefinite ones in
to which the Speaker has sought an inquiry
II is manifest that the difference will be great
between the attitude in which should thus be
placed and the one in which now stand, and
which duty to myself and my constituents for
bids me to abandon. In coming to this deter
mination, am not governed by any DISPOSE
ton to retract or modify any thing contained
in my letter, which was written under con-
viction of its being true and important to be
known. But there are many things which
we are bound to communicate to those we re-
present, which prudence and duty would both
forbid being presented to the House, in the
form of accusations. This will be manifest
when we reflect that even this House may
not at all times be free from the vice of passion
or the faint of corruption. Those who have
read the history of human frailty, will require
no proof of this assertion. If this view be
Just, which, think, cannot be questioned, it
must be manifest that member of this House
may be placed under such circumstances as to
make it his highest duty to speak freely and
fully, even of the House itself, to those he re-
presents, when it would be madness and folly
to present charges for their investigation. If
such be the obligations of duty in extraordina-
ry cases, the mere dictates Of prudence will,
in many instances, compel him to abstain from
presenting to the House, for investigation,
facts which might implicate the conduct or
ought to be freely communicated to his con-
stituents.
In the present case, although feel myself
justified, as the writer Of the letter, feel my
selfbound, both by prudence and duty, not to
appear in the character of an accuser of the
Speaker upon charges not my own, but those
which he has requested to be investigated.
need not advert to circumstances which render
it peculiarly improper at the present time
The deep excitement which the important cri.
sishas produced, the unequal contest between
an humble member on the floor, and the
Speaker of the House, are themselves circum-
stances which cannot be overlooked in com
ing to the conclusion that the issue should be
left before the American people, or the ordi.
nary tribunals of the country; and therefore
protest against the proceedings in this view,
as well as against the power of the House to
exercise Jurisdiction over me, as being equal
" calculated to restrain the exercise of my
Just rights, in an unconstitutional manner.
have the honor to be, with great respect,
your obedient servant, GEO. KREMER.
Washington, Feb 9Th, 1926.
The report and letter were read, and
on motion of Mr.. BARBOUR, were or
dered to lie on the table, with the ac.
companying papers, and ordered to be
printed.
The remainder Of this days sitting
was occupied in counting the votes fol
President and Vice President of the
United States, and in balloting for Pre-
sident by the House-the particulars
of which were given in the Phenix Of
Thursday.