Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-02-02
S8.h CongreSs-.-SecOnd Session
WASHINGTON, Jan. 90 1868.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TILE ASSAULT UPON JUDGE KELLY.

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Mr. SosENCK, rose to question of priv,
lege, and offered preamble, setting forth
that A. L. Field, in the language OF
intimidation and bullying, had at
tempted to interfere with William ID. ,Kply,
member of Congress from Pennsylvania,
in his right and duties as a member, in vo-
| ting on penling subject of legislation, and
had followed up such intimidation and bully
ing by on assault upon the person of the
said William d. Kelly, thus committing a
breach OF the privileges of the House
| therefore, Resolyed, That a select commit
ice of five members be appointed by the
Speaker to inquire into the facts and have
the power to send for persons and papers !;
and that they inquire what course it is pro-
per to take to protect the rights and privi-
leges Of free legislation Of the House.
Mr. SCHENCK caused to be read AM ac-
count of the assault and the circumstances
attending 1t, from newspaper.
Mr. FARNswoRTH offered an amendment
that until the report Of the com tnttee
shall be made, A. P Field be exclud9 from
the privileges of the floor. 1t was known
that Field was here, awaiting action on his
case as member elect from Louisiana, and
that a resolution had passed giving him the
privileges of the floor, peuding an examina-
ton OF the subject.
Mr.. MoORHEAD said. while he would vote
to protect the House in all its rights, he
disliked to ask for committee to investI
gate so gross an outrage. He would be
content with the amendment just offered to
exclude Mr.. Field from the privilege of the
floor. This should bo done promptly and
unanimously as he did not think gentlemen
here wished to be associated with man
guilty of such an outrage as had been com
mitted on his colleague.
Mr.. ScuENCK said iu drawing up his reso-
luton he had not seon or heard from Judge
Kelly, and knew nothing of the circun-
stances Of the assault until he saw the news
paper report containing them. In that
resolution he did not speak Of Mr. Field
House. Neither Judge Field nor Judge
Kelly were of the least possible consequ
ence 10 this connection as compared with
the great question which Jnderlied this en-
tire proceeding He wan $ed to see whether
any CITIZEN should undertake to intimidate
or prevent free exercise OF judgment by n
member of Congress. Ila referred 20 the
action of the House in 1881 aud 1882, when
Sam Houston, an ex'mfmber, made an at
tack upon Mr. Stanberfy, member of the
House, aud the vindlestion of free speech
and legislation by thesreprimandng of Mr..
Houston. and this too, when the House
contained large majarity Of the Demo
cratic friends OF Mr. Houston. t.
MIR. Cox said there was no. one who did
not believe that this was a question of
privilege, and the action proposed was pro-
per to vindicate the dignity and rights of the
House; but to exclude Mr.. Field from thefoor
of the House was tO pre- 1 20 the case. Let
Us ascertain by Investigation what grlev-
ance there is. Certainly the man who is
implicated should be heard, Ths amend
ment pending went on the principle that
the man was guilty. As for himself he
was physically able to defend himself,
[laug ghter. but it might not be so with 9th
ers. The gentleman from Pittsburg, (Mr.
Moorehesd) having ponderous form and
all the ability for deiease, did not feel fer
others differently circumstanced. Laugh
ter. p. s.H F
Mr.. THAkER said in Mr.. Houston's case
immediately on a communication being pre-
sented froti Mr.. Stanberry, who was a
member fom Ohio, Mr. Vance, from the
SAME STATE offered a re solution directing the
SpeakerTo issue warrants to the Sergeant
at-Arnsfo take into custody wherever found
the body of Samuel Houston and keep him
subject TO the further order and direction
of the House. The resolution was adopted
by large majority, aud Mr., Asustpn was
accordingly taken into custody to answer tc
a contemplated breach Of tho privileges o
the House. So-st the second session Of the
XXIIId Congress, when John Ewing wa
assaulted by John H. ISne, a Lieutenan
in the Navy, this House asserted its juris
diction by its mode of proceeding in the
premises; and on simple communication
the question on which the House was cslleo
to act was-Where = prima Jdcie breach 0
privilege was shown to the House, tn,
House will proceed to arrest the offende
and bring him to the bar Of the House..
There could be no higher breach of priv
ilege than an assault on a member of tn
House for his offici conduct. nrsiI
Mr. Cox-Did understand you to sa
YOU would vote for his punishment q
Mr.. THAYEe-No; but would vote 70
the amendment on the ground that wher
thersiss printa .facie case made out the ma
is not fit TO come iute the House while h
rests under the charge. If the investigs
tion should show the charge groundless
then shall vote to restore him to the pri,
ilege Of which he has been deprived. Tn
dignity aud self respect Of the House re
:: orire that one, that commits an assault on
!, member should not be permitted TO com
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