The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-21

'"~i< oHdtfsi gentlemen, he would be
the Rouse were to listen to the complaint But he de-
sired TO review the ground taken by the gentleman from
Georgia M iSoAssl and the gentleman from South
Carolina Mr. WooDwARD] Besides The express provi-
SION OF the constitution, there were nheren, nrnrinI
and pefogatves OF thus body, by which n may
lis own honor, and protect ITSELF IRON assault lie refer.
red TO the Just cited BY the gentleman from Sonth
Carolina 10 illustrate; and added that If we were adj
vised OF an attempt to invade the personal liberty
and safety oil an individual member-sueh case
as he might suppose, namely; he supposed a ques-
ton was pending here, IN which the interests OF
The south were deeply involved, and member known
to be adverse to those interests about which SO much
dsiIust is felt, and such a member Is waylaJ, and
altcInp, made TO prevent ham from coming here 10
exercise his privilege legislator, occurred 10 Mr.
that the prerogaiyes of the House inc uied The power
10 prevent the success OF such attempt IS that He
would undertake 10 say that The House possessed the
same power TO seid the sergeant at-aIms and raise
force in such he had supposed, the case
where man comes INTO presence 10 interrupt the
proceedings OF the House Ii would be unreasonable in
the case supposed TO require the House await the tedious
process OF legislation Tor the redress OF such ndgnty
Without knowing anything about the character OF the
rumors upon which the resolution seemed be founded
he believed the decision OF the Speaker TO be subsan-
TALLY correct IL was clear TO his mind, thai ii member
should be protected IN what he has said he should al 20
be protected In what he intends say II menaces OF
the character indicated in The resolution can be made out
it ought TO pass and he would suggest that il the gem
tleman from Massachusetts, the gentleman from Ohio.
[MR. GDDINGs any other gentleman, knows himself
10 be liable 10 insult out OF DOORS he should ge, up his
place and say
Mr.. DUER calling for the reading again OF the pre-
ambe and resouiion said he did not wish TO argue the
question at length He only wished for himself and
others TO understand what the question presented really
The presented in this preamble he considered
be different IRON the privilege contemplated in the
sutution. The preamble says lawless mob Mr. ID.
did not vouch for the faci)has threatened the personal
safety of certain members OF this House The question:
then, If he understood H. was, whether the House has
right 10 interfere for the purpose OF enabling members 10
here and take their seals; whether lawless mob
may threaten the life and safety of members with impu-
nifty in short whether this House may sit here, having
1ts
interrupted and prevented by lawless mob: Ii such
the question, he did not discuss here or
elsewhere he asked gentlemen to consider whether
such the real question but he hoped that on ac-
count Of mere Tnmor, the House would not suffer itself
10 run into discussion OF so grave question.
Mr.. BEDiNGER said that The resolutions had not the
hardihood to state that the person OF any member had
been actually tire aened, but alluded merely runor
which, with thousand lying tongues, had circulated
John Randolph assaulted in the theatre in Philade
pha and appealed to Congress and TO the President for
protection but the House took no notice of it.
some member had been threatened by somebody, No
distinct complaint made The allegation contained
no facts upon which, if known. the House could inci
punishment Ii was not alleged that the member was
threatened on account OF words said this floor. Ii
assumed by the advocates of this resolution that
pleased, and come 10 the House for protection.
Mr.. J. r. lNGERSOLL interposed and contended that
notice could be taken by court any tribunal of any
violation OF the person OF ose OF It's members, or w
nesses, or visilers.
Mr. GAYLE replied that, in that case. the allegation
that the person had been wayad and prevent
ed from attending this House. The gentleman must
know that in stating complaint facts must be stated
which to the subject OF inquiry de repeated, that
il the resolution was passed would be license to any
member TO go into the city and commit depredanons.
man could enter house and commit an outrage and
then, if he is kicked OF it, may to Congress for
protection
The CHAIR said the merits of this question not
involved. A member hal complained OF a breach OF
Chair had stated that privileged question which
before the House for inquiry, and mol question OF
privilege The Chair did undertake to decide whether
Mr. HARRISON asked whether it was moi competent
for member to go into the subject of the preamble and
The CHAIR decided that it was not
Mr. INGE said no statement OF the member from Ohio
could vary the question before the House, but he would
like to know the facts
The CHAIR said no statement was in order, without
Mr. BOYD said paper had been presented. Did the
The CHAIR No Ii is privileged question. and the
House has to decide whether to entertaint
Mr. lNGE said we were now acting IN the dark we
had facts upon which to base opinions We know
that nsdous efforts lad been made T. deprive citizens
Of this District OF their property. He would like TO
know whether member had been concerned IN those
attempts The resolution alleged that awess mob had
assembled but the laws were competent TO provide for
the correction Of that abuse But he might take issue
upon the fact that there is mob He did not beleve
there was any. might be that members OF this House
had committed acts which had drawn upon them the M
dgnaon OF the community; j. nigh, be that they had
made hf2ss Ss a eS nsaker could not be
permitted TO decide upon the right of any member The
Speaker had left it to the House to decide upon that
question He had decided that il was privileged ques-
on and that the House to decide whether to enter
tain il Upon this, appeal had been taken. The Speak
er was ueshonably right There was no question
OF privilege but whether facts should be inquired
into.
Mr. HARRISON argued that this neither ques-
ton OF privilege privileged question He would
read the article OF the constitution, as follows:
They shall, in all cases, except treason. felony and
breach OF the peace be privileged from arrest during their
attendance The of their respective houses and In
going and returning from the and for speech
debate either House, they shall not be questioned Ia
any other place.
But the preamble and resolutions did not represent that
any violation of their privileges had been committed
Common report alleged that member had been assault
ed and common report also alleged that members oil
this House had caused the acts which had excited the
citizens of the District This House could not be guilty
of the folly of inquiring into common report IL was
not stated that any member had been hndered IRON his
attendance on the House. The resolution stated that
members had been menaced There nothing IN the
constitution that authorized to take notice OF men
ace II member had been interrupted in coming 10 this
House, let be so stated and then the House will Judge
whether il be necessary to act upon the matter II we
acted upon rumor, we might believe that members OF
the House had participated in the attempts 70 deprive
citizens OF this District of their property He did not
know that these rumors true; he mentioned them