Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-04-25
THIRTIETn coXGnEss-Flrs,s session
THURSDAY, April 20, 1913.
SENATE

in The prosecution OF The war with Mexico, and in
favor VI The adoption Of efficient means Tor its
speedy termination.
Bills were reported for The organization Of The
territories OF Nebraska and Minnesota.
Alter some other business, mol of public i'm
p%ortance, Mr.. Hale asked leave 10 introduce a
bill Tor The protection of personal and real proper.
~ in The District Of Columbia, from mob viz
lence, and providing indemnify iur properly de-
slIoyed by mobs, &c.
On the question Of granting leave, an exciting
debate ensued, in which Messrs Hale, Basby,
Calhoun, Davis, Of Mississippi, Foote, Douglass,
flanagan, Davis OF Massachusetts, Butler, and
others participated. Blu, The character Of The de-
bate was so similar 10 that which is given in the
House proceedings, that a sketch Of the remarks OF
the several speakers is omitted. 1.-THE law is 81
milar, in lis general features, 10 that now in force
in The State Of Maryland. Adjourned 10 Mon
day.
Mr.. PaliIey, Immediately after The reading OF
the journal had been completed, rose 10 a "priyi-
legged question" which he remarked he would
best explain 10 The House by reading a series Of
resolutions which he desired 10 introduce. The
resolutions were read Tor information, as follows:
These resolutions were, We presume, acciden-
tally omitted from his package BY our correspond
emf. We learn, however, they alluded 10 GER
tain rumors Of intended violence by a mob in
Washington city, against himself and Mr.. Gid
dings, on occouRt oil a suspicion that ttey had
been connected with The recent slave movement
The Speaker said he was aware of no rule
which made The subject OF the resolutions a pri-
yileged question.
Mr.. Pallrey inquired whether the Chair did moi
consider the personal safety o! members OF The
House a privileged question.
The Speaker did not understand that any part
OF The resolutions related 10 the personal safely
of members OF this House.
MIR. Palfrey again read The part relating 10
"mcnaces," &C., when The Speaker remarked that
he had not heard that part ul the resolution, and
decided that it was a 'privi!eged question" 10 take
precedence Of o.her business.
Alter a few remarks from NJ. Gnnirv fno' -
The mere recital IN IND RESOLUTION mat members oil
This house had been menaced, would make The
question one o. privilege.
The Speaker said the parliamentary law laid
down that common rumor' was sufficient
ground to warrant action. The chair, there
fore held, that the allegation of menace was suf-
fcient to make this a privileged question"
When the resolutions were fairly before the
House, it would be competent for any member
to call for sp. ciica tons but that they did not
contain SpeCluCdlltIuS. 10 boh ~
for ruling the resolutions out of order.
Mr.. C. J. Ingcrsoll read the rule applicable
to the privileges of members.
The Speaker read from Jeticrson's Manual,
in support OF the decision which he had male.
MIR. Rhett insisted that Congress was equally
bound 10 see that members do not trespass uIon
the rights of citizens; and examined the constlu-
ton to show the restrictions imposed upon he
parliamentary usages in regard 10 privileged
questions. 49,.
The Speaker said that it was not fer the Chair
to decide whether the allegation In the resou-
tions are sufficient TO warrant the adoptionoi
the resolutions. That was for the House to lie
eide, when the resolutions were before them,
and when they would become a "qnestior Of
privilege" and not privileged question" a'at
present, a distinction recognised by the rui's.
The decision OF the Chair simply was, that th:re
was sufficient in the allegations Of the resou-
tions 10 make this a privileged question: TO
take priority over other business.
Mr.. Brodhead appealed from this decision oil
the Chair, and Mr.. Toombs sustained the aP
peal, though he had no objection, ne said, to Tue
investigation. He had no objection that me
whole question involved should come up and DC
now settled.
Mr.. Sims explained the constitution and the
manual of Mr.. Jefferson, and insisted that INC
only privileges Of members were freedom from
arrest, and that they should not be held amen
able for words spoken in debate.
Mr.. Woodward insisted that there was no
law which gave to me nters out OF the House
higher privileges than to other citizens. Inc
laws Of the District protected members as Wcii
as citizens out Of this House.
Mr.. J. r. ~Ingersoll believed that the decision
of the Chair was correct, and it would then De
for the House to decide whether the resolutions
should be adopted. He commended that, as IN
England, Congress has power TO protect It's mem
bers, in going to and returning from the House,
from mobs, or any invasion whatever.
Mr.. Duer insisted that Congress had INC
power TO protect its own members.
MIR. Bedipger said that the preamble did not
state that a member OF this House had oeen ac
tually menaced, but that "common rnmor,,'
with her thousand lying tongues, had so stated
They were not sent there to attend TO the ..com'
mon rumors'' which were every day put 10 CIT
c~ulation in reference to members OF that House,
Mr.. Gayle insisted that the resolutions shouiu
specify such facts as would warrant lne "iie
and punishment OF an ohen:er. Win.
Ailer some further remarks from Messis' Wv
ton and Boyd. c.,s
Mr.. Rowdon OF Alabama said that no fac's
were stated TO warrant The allegation OF menace.
I, was known that great excitement e~xisled-lna'
a mob had collected and property had been ~
vadsd but they had nothing but rumof upon
which to base The allegation of menace towards
members ofthis House. .:n no
In attempting 10 vindicate its own dignity, the
House should be careful moi to fix upon ltse,i a
reproach. Il might be that members oil lha,
Honse had so involved themselves so as 10 eau
down the menaces complained Of II may pe
ibat thew have gone so far as to render necessary
an Investigation into their conduct.
MI. Harralson argued The merits OF the ques'
linn. In conclusion, he said that 1t would oe a
more appropriate investigation to ascertain WY; wy
Their the reports were true that memcefs VI ,n'
House had had some hand, directly or lnnitei,J'
in The attempt 10 deprive The people OIL 'n'' D'
lIict, Of their properly. sbould
Mr.. Pallrey suggested hiatt the gentleman snou'0
offer this as an amendment 10 the resolullohIn1 ,r
After some further remarks from MessfS1 o .r,y
ringer, Stephens, Cobb, Meade, HasSe,, liz D sna
and Stuart, the appeal was laid on 'ne
The resolutions being again read, .;, me-
Mr. Venable addressed The House on men n mi
r;,. He was very severe on the "ianasic, ~ ~,
hvnocIiles" who sneer al The institutions Sor,b.
Soptb and EXPRESSED his gratitude 10 those N9i. ~
srn democrats who had stood by The SCUM =.
The sla very question. In the course OF ~. ~
ns rive he alluded 10 the visit YESTERDAY ~ ~ ~
n,ison If members OF this House, whlch calieu VI
Mr. Giddiuss, who said that, il the gen,,enb ~
alluded to him, he was prepared 10 say = MA
did visi, The prison yeslerday-that hlso'IsI zen,
ms,.iy - assure the men implicated 10 a ie.en
swsnt there confined, lhallhey should nave s ;,so'
..i .nd a fair trial, he had never known e"He'