The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-05-29

can have no authority here, yet ell the Ie-
gislatve bodies IN the Union habitualy ac.
upon ia rules
THE power IN question grows out Of
the great law of self preservation. Its no
doubt very liable to abuse, and ought al
ways to be exercised with great moders-
ton. In its very nature, Is NOT susce ceptible
either OF precise definition or precise Inn
itatlon. Each particular instance OF It's ex-
ercIse must be adopted TO the emergency
which calls for it. While, therefore, tie
committee deem it matter OF great impor-
tancs to maintain the existence of this
power, as an essential means of ,ndIcal.
ing the dignity and privileges ofthe House.
they are clearly Of the opinion that tough
never to be exercised, except in cases OF
strong necessity and that the puni,hment
iInlcted under it ought never 10 be carried
farther than shall be absolutely and inper
iously required by the existing emergency.
In the present case, though they thlnk
the conduct Of Mr.. Jarvis obnoxious To tl,
! censure OF the House, yet they can hardly
suppose that he wGs conscious. at the tuia
OF committing the assaui ,tha, lie a. otIer.
ing a contempt to It's authority. lie dis.
claims, indeed, any such Intentions Aut
as the committee are aware that manv per
sons, for whose opinions they have v,
great respect, entertain the belief lDatl..
assault in question was not violation o.
any privilege of the House, they think the,
are repaired, BY the spirit of moderation.
and indulgence in which tbs power shout
always be exercised, 10 give mr. Jarvis tic
benefit Of the most favorable presumptior
IN nd int
right and privileges in question.
Ihey, therefore, rec commend to the O..
doptlon of the House, the following reso-
lutions. 1t is proper, however, to remark.
by way of explanation, that there was but
bare majority Of the committee in favor
of the first resolution, the minority enter
tanning the belief that the House possesses
no power touching the premises and that
there was but bare majority Of the COM
mlttee in favor of the second resolution.
the minority believing that it was not ex-
pedlent to vlndlcate the dignt, Of the
House, by lnfilcting some punishment for
the violation OF its privileges
Resolped, That the assault committed
by Russell Jarvis on the person Of John
Adams, the Private Secretary of the Pre-
sldent, IN the Rotunda of the Capitol. I'M
mediately after the said John Adams had
delivered message from the President 10
the House Representatives, and while he
was in the act Of retiring from il was a
violation Of privilege, which merits the
censure Of this House.
Resaired, That it is not expedient 10
have any further proceedings in this case"
The paper presented by mr.. Barbour in
behalf OF the minority of the committee
goes at much length into an examination
OF the matter, principally with reference
to the power of Congress to take cogni.
zance ofthe affair, but whilst they con-
cur with the majority in the results which
they report Of the evidence, and also IN the
expression of their disapprobation o. the
assault, in reference to the time ,chsn, and
the place where,it was committed, beg leave
to state their decided and unqualified dis
sent from That Eesoltitfvu ofthe report which
afirms the power Of this House to punish
the assault in question as being a,breach Of
privilege and contempt" After assign
ing the reasons at much length which
nave led to the above conclusion, they close
their report by recommending the follow
ing resolution,
Resoiufd, That it is not competent ia
the House Of Representatives to punish
Russell Jarvis, for the assault on the Pri-
vate Secretary Of the President. as a con-
tempt to the House"