The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-04-29


ti,us, but finally Withdrew the objection, and they
were read for information as to their character;
but the unanimous consent Of the House to their
reception being necessary, and objections being a.
gain made, they were not received.
The consideration ofthe contested election case
in the Sixth Congressional District Of New York,
mr. Jackson's,) was then taken up.
APRIL l9-Senate-Th day was occupied in
the discussion Of the bill reported from the udici-
ary committee, to carry into effect certain provi-
sions Of the treaties between the United States and
China, the United States and the Ottoman Porte,
&C. 10
House.-The New York contested election case
occupied the entire day, and was 80 decided that
the case must 60 back to the people.
| APRIL 20.-Senafe.- were reported for the
organization Of the territories OF Nebraska and Mi.
! nesot0. !It" .. .I ,..t'
| After some other business, not Of public impor.
tance, Mr.. Hale asked leave to introduce bill for
the protection Of person al and real property in the
District of Columbia, from mob violence, and pro.
vidiDg indemnify for property destroy ed by mabs,
&c.
On the question Of granting leave, al exciting
debate ensued, in which Messrs Hale, Bagby,
Calhoun. Davis, of Mississippi, Foote, Douglass,
Hannegan, Davis, Of Massachusetts, Butler and 9th.
ers participated. Adjourned to Monday.
House--Mr. Palfrey ,immediately after the read
ing Of the journal had been completed, rose to a
''priyileged question:" which he remarked he
would best explain to the House by reading a Sc.
res OF resolutions which he desired I'd introduce.
The resolutions were read for information, as fol.
lows . ..
Whereds, common report represents that law.
less mob has been assembled within the District OF
Columbia during the past two nights committing
acts of violence, and setting at defiance the laws,
and constituted authorities Of the United States,
as well as menacing individual members of this
body, as well as other persons.
Therefore, be it resoiped, That select commit.
tee be appointed by this House to inquire and re-.
port the fact, and whether any legislation is nece,.
sary. ...-
The Speaker said he was aware Of no rule which
made the subject Of the resolutions a privileged
question.
Mr. Palfrey inquired whether the Chair did not
consider the personal safety Of members of the
House privileged question.
The Speaker did not understand that any part
Of the resolutions related to the personal safety Of
members of this House.
Mr. Palfrey again read the part relating to "me.
naces," &c., when the Speaker remarked that he
had not heard that part of the resolution and deci.
ded that it was "privileged question:" to take
precedence Of other business.
Mr.. Rhett insisted that Congrers was equally
bound to see that members do not trespass upon
the rights of citizens; and examined the cousttu.
ton to shew the restrictions imposed upon the par.
amentary usages in regard to privileged questions.
The Speaker said it was not for tho chair to de.
eide whether the allegation in the resolutions are
sufficient to warrant the adoption of the resolu.
tions. That was for the House to decide, when
the resolutions were before them.
Mr. Brodhead appealed from the decision Of the
chair, and Mr.. Toombs sustained the appeal,
though he had no objection, he said to the inves-
tigation.
Mr.. Woodward insisted that there was no law
which gave to members out OF the House, higher
privileges than to other citizens. The laws Of the
District protected members as well as citizens, out
Of this House. .......
Mr.. J. R. Ingersoll believed that the decision Of
the Chair was correct, and it would then be for the
House to decide whether the resolutions should
be adopted. He contended that, as in England,
Congress has power to protect Its members, in 20.
ing and returning from the House, from mobs, OF
any invasion whatever.
Mr.. Bednger said that the preamble did not
state that member of this House had been actu.
ally menaced, but that "common rumor," with
her thousand lying tongues, has so stated. They
were not sent there to attend to the "common rug
mors" which were every day put in circulation in
reference to the members of that House.
Mr. Harralson argued the merits of the question.
In conclusion, he .aid that it would be more ap.
propriae investigation to ascertain whether the re-
ports were true that members of this House had
had some hand, directly or Indirectly. in the at
property.
Mr.. PaIfrey suggested that the gentleman should
offer this an amendment to the resolution
After some further remarks from Messrs Bar.
ringer, Stephens, Cobb, Meade. Haskell, BayIey,
and Stuart, the appeal was laid On the table. and,
the resolutions being again read,
Mr.. Venable addressed the House on their mer-
its. In the course of his remarks. he alluded to
the visit yesterday to the prison Of member Of this
House, which called up s.. aTa'.
Mr.. Giddings, who said that il the gentleman al.
Iuded to him, he was prepared to say that he did
visit the prison yesterday--that his object was
merely to assure the men implicated in recent
Q, ent, there confined, that they should have coun.
,e and fair trial. He had never known either OF
hem before, and his conversation was all in the
presence of the keeper Of the prison.
Mr.. Gayle inquired whether the gentleman had
gone there to hear the evidence, or to give the
,urance referred to. %
Mr.. Giddings said he went there from the
promptngs Of humanity alone. 1efta =