Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-03-04
Legislature Of Maine.

In the House., Feb. 22d, Mr.. Morse offered tho
following order:
Whereas, during the session of this Honse
on the Goth instant, William Delesderni,r,
member thereof, was guilty of disorderly behavior
in committing gross personal assault upon its
Assistant Messenger, in the Representatives.
Hall, and has, in consequence thereof, lessened
the dignity and respectaoity of this Legislative
body, and exposed it to contempt by conduct
unbecoming a gentleman, and especially deprad.
ing in Representative of the people of Maine,--
Therefore
"Ordered, that a committee be appointed to,
consider and report, as soon may be, what
punishment shall be inflicted upon the said vii.
lam Delesdernier for such disorderly behavior
and that he in the mean time be suspended from
the right to speak in this House"
Mr. Andrews moved to amend by adding tho
following: "also to inquire whether Franklin
Muzay, Samuel Gray, Benjamin Land, John B.
Clifford, Joseph Burgess, Jr., Obed Durrill, Jo-
seph Hitchings, Melzar Lindsey, Nathan Long
fellow, Simeon Dwinel, Stephen Fl. Reed, John
Otis, Ahijah Crane, VIM Bryant, Jonathan Burr,
VIM. Perry, and Sam'l G. Adams, were not
equally guilty of breach of the rules of the
House, and shoa.d be subjected to punishment
equally severe
Mr.. Otis explained the circumstances which
prevented his attendance. He scorncd the.
amendment Of the gentleman from Turner Mr.
o. spoke at some length and with considerable
warmth
Mr.. Morse said he considered the subject of his
order as not party question. 1t concerned the
dignity of the House and the good order of its
proceedings. The incident referred TO in the
order will not stop in the walls of this House,
however you may lock your doors and guard your
entrances. II will go through the whole land
VIII it not he expected that action of the
House will follow it Mr.. NJ. said he was not for
violent proceedings. He was for moderate a
course as is consistent with propriety and dignity
If it is necessary to have the matter of the
amendment in vestigated, let committee be ap-
pointed for that purpose also. 1t is doubted BY
many whether the House has any authority to
compel the attendance of members, without rules
and orders previously adopted and providing foe
the emergency.
Mr. Andrews advocated the amendment, and
commended that all these breaches of order should
be placed on the footing He said the gen
tleman from Baloyville has many illustrious pre-
cedents for his conduct-but he never heard be-
fore Of the political majority running away and
leaving the minority in possession of the House,
Mr. Delcsdernier asked for the reading of the
order MIR D. commended that the order condemn
ed him unheard. He was first to be declared
guilty and suspended from his rights citizen
and Representatives He denied that the House
could deprive him of the right to be heard Ho
asked what rule Of the House he had violated
If none, he asked by hat right the House could
pass the order. he asked the House to give him
fair and impartial trial.
MIR Morse said the gcntleman's righ, TO defend
himself was secured by the rules and order-if
not he willing to have the order amen ded.
On motion of Nj J. Otis, the House adjourn.
/ ed