Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-05


East Nachias is actuated by proper motives,
and .ympathise with him in his desire 10
purge this house of such person as Ihomas
Il. Swan. if this charge against him Is Iounu
to be true. sympathise with the opposition
in this House. in their desire thas man
Who has had the past career and has figured IN
the manner that this man has in the politics Of
this State. that has made for himself name,
- | believe of infamy in other particulars
than this should no longer have seat among
them.
Mr.. TALBOT: / call the gentleman to or
der 1t is reflection upon one who IS sun a
member here. And wish to raise
another point of order, ana
it is that the question is not whether we shall
have ar investigation in regard 10 Mr.. swan
or any other member l understand that an
account involving the character of q member
of this House has been published in the pub
lie newspapers / claim under every prece-
dent of parliamentary law that that is ques-
ton of the highest privilege. The chair has
ruled that il is not. l have taken an appeal
from that decision. not on any question AS to
Mr.. Swan or nybOdy else. but as to the bare
naked question whether n charge of this kind
is not a question of the highest privilege.
And claim that it is. After having that
point decided il mi ght be consistent to ask
the movers of this matter to wait An hour or
two But in the teeth of the decision that it
is not one of the highest privilege, l ap-
peal. and ask for vote upon that question:
By direction of the Speaker the Clerk
read from Cushing's Manual articles 1908
and 1906, both inclusive, relating to
questions of privilege Those mentioned AS
questions of privilege, which seem particu-
larly to bear upon the matter under discus
sion. are as follows:
Questions affecting the right of members
to their seats. whether existing in the shape
of charges contained in petition; or in reso-
lutions reported by the committee on cleo
tons, or otherwise. and pending in the house;
questions relating to the character or conduct
of members. as, for example, resolutions to
censure or expel a member; the right of a
member to defend himself against the charge
in Il petition lying on the table; the report Of
a select committee for investigating certain
charges against member; a complaint of
one member against another for supposed
insult in the house, for words used by the
former. in debate"
The SPEAKER: The chair does not under
stand that this order comes within the defin-
ton, and will be obliged to ask the House to
vote upon the matter, the gentleman from
East Machas questioning the ruling made.
Mr.. KING of Caribou Mr.. Speaker, the
question at present before the House. as /
understand it, is not question as to whether
we will or will not investigate the newspaper
charges against fellow member. The mo-
tives of the order we cannot question. 1t is
undoubtedly proper one. But the Speaker,
IN his discretion, has ruled that at this time
it is out Of order. In other words.
that it should lie over until after the
morning hour. The question is of no i'm
portance perhaps. except as TO sustaining the
ruling of our Speaker pro ten. If it were
question of greater importance than that we
might AS well override the Speaker. But it
seems to me that unless it be clearly shown
that the Speaker is wrong that the House
should sutain him, he having ruled in good
faith. have yet to see anything that salts
fies me that he is wrong, and hope he will
be sustained.
Mr.. TALBOT disclamed any intention
of attributing to the Speaker any
disposition to do other than his
duty, and it was not with such an
But it would be perceived by the authority
which had been read that one of the highest
questions of privilege was matters connected
with charges against any member of the
House. Among those cases which were
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