Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-09

House resolve itself into Committee Of the
Whole on the state of the Union.
\, Mr.. HAVEN said he intended to introduce a
resolution to close debate on the Pacific railroad
bill on Tuesday next, at two o'clock.
Mr.. HENDRICKS said that was too soon. &
Mr.. HOUSTON preferred an earlier period
Mr.. BENTON remarked that he wished TO sub
NIT his views upon that subject. t
Mr.. HAVEN said that he would not now press
vote, for, in looking over the hall, il was evil
dent there was not quorum, and he did not wish
to prevent the House from gong into Commit
tee of the Whole on the state of the Union. He
n would, however, ask for vote on Monday next.
QUESTION OF PR1vILEGE-THE EDITOR OF THE
UNIoN--MR. GIDDINGs's COMPLAINT.
Mr.. GIDDINGS rose to question of privi-
ege, and 10 call the attention ofihe House to the
conduct Of one Of its officers, Mr.. A. o. p. Mich
olson, the printer to that body. He would briefly
remark that an article appeared in uhe Union
newspaper Of this morning, in perfect accordance
with those which had been published in the same
paper for the last len days, assailing members of
the Senate BY name, and BY implication members
OF the House. Without further introduction, he
then read the following extract from communi-
cation in the Union, headed: aObsoleie Ideas
No. 6. BY an Old Fogy.'
SIN one word, protection and obedience are
reciprocal and inseparable; and those who, like
the abolition incendiaries Parker. Phillips, Cid
dings, and others, are necessarily proclaiming
their hostility 10 the laws and the Constitution,
and stimulating men, women and children to vic.
late them as sacred duty in my opinion have no
claim 10 the protection of those laws or that Con-
stltution They are the apostles Of sedition, VIC.
lence, and murder, they are fire. ndfmrG-wild
(, beasts of the forest, knowing no law and no re-
straint but their wild ungovernable instincts, and,
like dastardIy midnight providers, after firing the
train, sneak 10 their holes, leaving their wretched
dupes 10 become the victims Of those acts which
they Themselves have stimulated. Is there no
law that can reach these cowardly incendaries,
who, after throwing the frebrand, skulk away in
darkness to enjoy The blaze? Are there those
who, on the floor of both Houses of Congress,
openly declare their disaffection 10 that Consttu-
tion they have sworn 10 support and maintain,
worthy OF seat in the sacred halls Of Legislation
when any act should emanate from that source I?
These are questions that must be answered sooner
or later and the sooner the better" .e
Mr. PARKER said he had not read the article,
and wished to know whether any members OF the
House were spoken Of.
Mr.. GIDDINGS replied he had no doubt his
own name was mentioned The declaration came
from one the officers the House declaring its
members beyond the pale Of protection, and
there is an implication that persons can assas-
sinate and exert violence upon them. He would
throw the responsibility of sustaining such an
officer upon the majority of the House, as he
knew that he was in the minority. He had pre-
pared resolution upon the subject
Mr.. OLDS desired that the resolution be read !;
as he might, perhaps, offer an amendment TO it.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, without an inten-
ton of taking part in the controversy, submitted
that there was nothing in this matter which, by
the practice Of the House, could make il ques-
The SPEAKER sustained the position taken
by the gentleman, but said that Mr.. GIDDINGs had
right TO present his question in the form Of a
resolution.
Mr.. GIDDINGs then submitted the following
Whereas, A. o. P. Nicholson, esq, the printer to this
body and the editor and the proprietor Of the Washington
Usc mas IN his q h mSnng an
on members Of this body, therefore NJ !. 49, a
Rcsolred That said Nicholson and all other persons
neeted with the Washington Uhio be expelled from this
Mr.. OLDS understood his colleague to ask the
protection Of this House from the fact that he is
threatened with personal violence His colleague
had recently made a speech in Boston, in which
he clearly intimated that he was afraid Of being
assassinated for the course Of policy he has pur
sued hitherto, in relation 10 certain measures be-
fore this House; but when he comes before the
body TO claim its protection from assassination for
what he sees fit to do in the course of his official
duty, he ought 10 come with clean hands and a
pure heart IF he (Mr. oLDs) recolected Alright,
his colleague, in his Boston speech, charged on
his colleagues in Congress bribery, and that they
acted under bribery in casting certain votes.
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, said that the arti-
communications.
Mr. GIDD1NGS replied il was unquestionably
from the pen of the editor.
II Mr.. CLINGMAN said that, from the reading OF
the article, it appeared that the language was
much less violent than that of Mr.. GIDpINGs
speeches in this floor but if the gentleman was
apprehensve of personal attack, he had right
10 ask protection, and he would vote 10 give him
guard even, if necessary provided, however,
that he make out proper case.
The SPEAKER reiterated that he thought this
was privileged question, for reasons which he
stated.
MI. MILLsoN said ,ha, il it was proposed TO
expel Mr. Nicholson as an officer Of the House, II
might be proper 10 inquire whether he had done
anything, as an officer, TO Justify call for his ex-
pulsion IL, on the other hand, the object was 10
exrc the editor and reporters Of the Uiion per-
as the public printer or officer of the House. then
it became right TO inquire whether any one of them
has done ar ything which subjects them 10 expul
sion. Therefore, he thought the resolution did moi
properly present question of privilege.
Mr.. GIDDINGS resumed the floor, calling al.
ieniion to the emphatic language of the article in
the U,iion, and repeating that II outlawed him. &.
Mr.. LANE, of Oregon. would ask the gentle
man whether he is apprehensive of danger? IA
Mr.. GIDDINGS. My friend will excuse me
II is the dignity of this body that wish to vindi
cate. MS3
Mr. LANE. / assure the gentleman there is nc
danger. (Laughterl
Mr.. GIDDINGS. I don't thank the gentleman
for any assurance ofthat kind. e.
Mr. LANE. aConscence makes coward. o
us ALL" 1 propose to go security for the gentle
mans safety. lLaughter.1