Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-18

Claliy tue eXfaOrOlHdIy ueS' &C VI ' ~
attended them, the more honorable and the more
signal; while they clearly show the necessity OF
their ultimate failure, which existed IN the nature
of things They are the best proofs, at once, OF
genus and OF principle.
Synopsis of the Debate on the motion to
arrest Houston for an assault OH amen
Der of the House of Representatives for
" words spoken in debate"
Mr. Nance quoted. in support of his motion to
arrest, two precedents-one in 1895. in the case
of Randall and Whitney, two land spectators,
who had proposed bride, in lands or money, to
two members of the House, on the condition of
the passage of certain bill. which proposal the
members had laid before the House, az the basis
of motion similar TO that which he had now
made. The other case was that OF John Ander.
son, which he presumed would be recollected BY
many OF those now present. In both cases
breach of privilege had been alleged to have been
committed, by an attempt to bride members OF
the House Mr.. v. had not been able to find
any case IN precedent of personal assault, for
words spoken in debate. But, believing it to be
at least as great violation of the privileges of
the House, to assault a member, in the public
streets, for what he had uttered in debate, as to
offer him bride with view to carry desired
measure through the House, he had thought it
proper to follow the precedent, and had there
fure put his resolution into the same words which
had been employed on those occasions.
Mr. Polk. This resolution assumed the fact
that contempt on the House had been commit.
ted, and that the House possessed the power to
punish it. Every gentleman must be aware that
great difference Of opinion always had existed.
as to the power of that House to punish as con-
tempt any act which did not interrupt or impede
the business of the House Yet what did this
resolution propose! 1t not only asserted the doc
,rine that the House might punish an act not
committed in its presence, or interruping its
proceedings, but it is proposed that, without fur.
Their inquiry, they should deprive citizen of
his liberty, and direct their Sergeant-at Arms to
seize and to hold lin in custody Mr.. P. did
not admit that the House possessed any such
power And he believed that great majority
of that House, upon deliberate and full exami
nation of the question, would hold the same sen.
timcnts with himself
Mr.. Jenifer Observed. that he had not sup
posed it pol ,be that single voice could have
been raised in that House, or in the country,
against the exercise of power which must be
dictated BY common sense. Mr.. ]. held, that
the constitution imperatively called upon them.
as representatives Of the people, to protect them
selves in the exercise of their duty. II express.
" declared. that no member might be brought
inuo question elsewhere. for words spoken in that
House. Now he would like to know whether,
in the present case, there had not been an at
tempt not only to question the words OF the men,
Der assaulted, but to arrest his further progress;
not only to question the manner in which he had
exercised his privilege, but TO deprive him alto
gether of the power Of exercising it. member
of that House had stated to the Speaker-what!
a surmise! a doubt? no: he had declared,
through the Speaker. to that House, that he had
been wavIaid, knocked down with bludgeon,
and wounded. in the public street, tor remarks
made in debate within these walls. Was 1t Gre
dibIe, was 1t possible, that Representative
could come there and say, that in such matter
the House had no right to interfere
Mr.. Vance. The gentleman from Iennes- |
see) made verv light of the matter; but Mr..
would put case that would show whether 1t |
was a small matter or not. Suppose that the |
House las had often happenedl should be equal
ly divided in sentiment IN reference to some |
measure, which the Executive, for the time be- |
ing, had very much at heart. In order to carry |
that measure, he would have to get some OF his
myrmidons to knock down two or three OF the
members in opposition. and disable them from
attendance in the House, and his object would
at once be effected. He should be glad TO know
whether the gentleman would not think that some
interference with the privileges Of the House,
and some interruption to the due course OF Its
Mr. Speigh alluded to the concluding remarks
of the gentlemen from Ohio. (Mr Vance gem
teman for whom he entertained much respect,
and with whom he had been IN habits of constant
for the last three years. Mr. 5.
thought that no course ought to be taken IN this
matter which was calculated to elicit party feel
ing. The case had nothing to do with party
distinctions.
4Kr. Vance inquired to what remarks the gen
teman aIlndpd.
Mr.. SpeigM replied, that every body knew
when gentleman spoke alphabetically In that
House. what it was that they really meant
And when the gentleman spoke about the Presl-
dent employing myrmidons to knock down mem
bers of the House, it was not hard to unders tand