Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-10
Messrs. Lamar and Blaine.

faint idea of the proceedings Of the House of
Representative 90 Tuesday, entirely emitting
the "sparriug'' between Mr.. Lamar and Blaine,
in which the former took off all the laurels and
placed the ex Speaker completely hors de COM
bat, .eacbing. him a.lesson that be will prob
ably not soon forget, and proving coDcluslVelyto
the country that knowledge of Parliamentary
tactics does not necessarily comprehend all the
requisites of legislator. The question being
upou. the motion directing the Investigating
COMMITTEE to disregard the summons OF the
Police Court to appear and testify against wit
nesses who appear before the Committee, Mr.
Lamar said ~
Nav another point. William W. Belkoap
is 10 the custody of this House, Sir. he Is 10
dergoing trial.
MIR. Blaine. I hope the geutltmau--,
MIR. Lamar. Wait uGtil l get through my
sentence.
The Speaker pro tempore The gentleman
from Mississippi declines to be Interrupted, and
the gentleman from Maine will observe that
fact.
Mr.. Lamar / repeat, sir, he is in legal GUS
tody OF this House, under Its constlu tlonai cen
troll. 1.-THE gentleman from Maine mesns 70
saw We have not the bodily possession OF him
by arrest, SO be it; but we have got control OF
| him.
MIR. Blame. We never intended to arrest
him. -
Mr.. Lamar. We may arrest bin, and will do
it if it is necessary, and can do it. Do you deny
our competency -
MIR. Blaine. Undoubtedly 10 an lmpeach-
ment; I deny it, and say it is perfectly alb
surd.
Mr. Lamar. Y,u also said it was absurd to
say there was anything punishable ID an im-
psachmept; and when my friend from TenDes-
see, lNrr. Bright, the distinguished gentleman
from that State spoke of Two coucurrlng jurls-
tiors, one having already acquired it by luitla-
| ting the proceeding it could not be ousted, the
gentleman Inflicted upon him that most terri
Bile of all punshments, the forfeiture OF his re-
snect for him as az attorney. Laughter. |
trust the gentleman will survive, aud, iD full
view of that penalty myself, I ass 'rt, sir 1t is
rue, and that an impeachment Is penal trla!
that there is ju igmert, conviction, aud, 10 tue
very words which the gentleman used, publ
! tive" punishment.
MIR. Blaine. Then the gentleman takes the
ground that the man could be twice punished
for the same uffenca? Isay that i'm peachment
is protective aud that the criminal jurisdiction
is punitive. That is what say. aud 20 on
to say further that there never has been an lm-
peachment in the United States 10 which there
was any attempt to possess the body because OF
the i'm peachment. The possession OF the body
is Of no account 10 impeachment. The judg,
mept which deprlves the man of the right to
hold Office is Just as effective if the man were
absent as in the case of bis being present.; aud
there never was 40 arrest of man for mpeach.
ment in this country.
MIR. Lamar Are you sure OF tbatI
MIR, Blaine Yes, sir.
MIR. Lamir. Then lett US form this ISSUE,
plain anu complete. The gentleman says there
cannot be two punishments Inflicted on an 10.
diyidual for the same offense. The same Of:
Tense. Here is the CONSTITUTION, which says
that the officer shall not only be removed from
office on i'm parchment aud disqualified to bold
of1 e thereafter, but that he snail be subject
to indictment, conviction, and punishment by
a jury besides.
Now, sir, there is the Constitution That
answers the question of the gentleman. And
I am atraii that the gentleman will lose his re-
spect for the Constitution when it responds 10
his question, by saying that man guilty of an
BY removal from office. not only by dlsquallh.
conviction. and punishment.
MIR. Blaine. Read it. Read it from the
Mr.. Lamar. Here it is,sir.
!! MIR. Blaine. Judgment" not punish
ment." Go on. Laughter Oh the Democratic
side of the House. a
Mr.. Lamar. The geotlemsns oracular wis
dom calls forth laugh. Before We are through
the laughter will be at him instead OF aoith
him. The gentleman says Judgment and
wishes me to explain toe word Judgment "
Judgment 10 cases OF impeachment shall not
extend further than to removal from Office and
disqualification TO hold and enjoy any office OF
honor, trust, or profit under the U olted States
Is not that one punishment?
Mr.. Blaine. Punishment is not mentioned
there. Now, read on.
Mr.. Lamar. You say that is not a puoish-
meDt?
Mr.. Lamar. put the question to the gen.
tleman because of bis Interruption Is no re-
moval from office and disqualification to hold
Office punishment
Mr.. Blaine. If the gentleman speaks of it's
being moral punishment
Mr.. Lunar. No, sir.
|
moral punishment, he may be right; but
legal punishment it is not.
Mr.. Lamar l ask the gentleman, not wheth-
er it is moral punishment or not, but is it
not legal punishment?
Mr.. Blaine. 1t is not.
| Mr.. Lamar Then the gentleman says that .
removal from Office, disqualification to hold
cfiee, while moral retributioo or something
of that kind, is not, 10 the contemplation of the
law and the Constitution, penalty. legal
punisbm nt. Very well.
MIR. Blaine. Now read the next part.
MIR. Lamar. I am coming to the next part.
That is one thing. Then this provision OF the
Constitution goes 90 to say: ..
But The party convicted
What sir? 'rhe party coauicted p 1t is
| not Judgment" this time. 1t Is conviction.
And what is conviction, sir, but the judgment
10 penal trial2 Very we'll. l will carry you
| further directly.
But the party convicted shall NEVERTHELESS
be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judg
ment, and punishment according to law.
Now notice this language again. Perhaps
T can nuioe tho penteman.