The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-03-09
THE BREACH OF PRIVILEGE

The ridiculous position in which the Senate has per-
mted itseto be placed under the lead of the delicate
Senator from Suffolk, becomes every daySmoresmani-
fest The Judiciary Committee of the House, Thurs
day, submitted report, styled s'Answer'' to the
message of the Senate concerning the alleged libel on
that body. 1t is as follows:
Answer of the house of representatives to the
ilege of that board by Hon. Mr. Wilson, member of the
house from the town of Natick:
The house of representatives consider the senate and
house coordinate branches of the government and each
as exclusive judges of their privileges.
As TO the alleged breach OF privilege charged have
committed by member of the house against the senate the
house representatives of opinion that the alleged breach
rnish2S 81 gu IS punishable solely by the senate,
pendenty Of any action on the part of the house.
The house of representatives therefore, respectfully de-
iSdOm and justice Of the senate 1CiU tepoSe OIjec-
ton to such that branch may deem proper"
1t will be seen, by the report, that the learned Com
mittee take precisely the view of the question
that we did, in article in Thursday Spy But, as
if anxious, in degree the feelings of the
Senate, in the superlatvely awkward predcament il
which the report leaves them, the concluding clause
marked by italics, is gratuitously, and we hold most
improperly added. Improperly, because it pledges the
House in advance, bindfold acquiescence in any
course the Senate may think proper to make. Such
pedge is most obviously improper, because, II the
of the Senate should be and proper such
pledge unnecessary, and should it be otherwise, it
would bind the House to acquesce in what it might
deem an Infringement of It's rights. Why should
the House then, tie up its hands? Has it not al
ready learned, by the experience of the present session.
that, upon the most important que-ons the opinions of
the two Houses often Numerically opposed to each
other! And yet, it is proposed in advance, and
unasked, TO surrender its right of Judgment and to
yield blind acquiesence in any the Senate may
take, in relation subject that may directly aqecthe
honor, dignity, and privileges of the House, the per-
sonal rights of Of its MEMBERS the liberty of the
press, and possibly the conservation of the dearest
rights of the citizens of the State We trust the House
in its anxiety to relieve the Senate from an awkward
position, may not place itself in still more so.
The course of the Senate we have reason to believe
part of the system of prescription, which the pro-
slavery of the State have put in operation against
the free soil papers and free soil doctrines. We believe
that the movement not hasty and inconsderate
but made deliberately and after party consultation
and, the conclusion of the report of the House Com
mee shall prove to have been the result of an out
doors arrangement, shall be glad to know it. The
remarks ofthe Republican which are made the ground
of complaint, severe than have been
upon the Legislature other occasions nor more than
have recently been made, by Taylor papers, Upon ndi-
vidual members thereof Why, then, this singing out
of the Editor of the Republican, and bouncing upon him
in this manner? We wait for reply.