National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-03-17

Immediately after the reading of the journal
Mr. McLane rose TO question of privilege. The
question he made was that the Speaker in the
Language addressed to the gentleman from Missis-
sippi has invaded the privileges of the House, and
subsequently had entertained q motion to adjourn
before he had responded to the question of priv
ilege raised by him (Mr, McLane)
The Speaker replied that the gentleman was in
error. At the time the House adjourned last night
the whole matter had been suspended and the
Chair had made such answer as he desired,
Mr. McLane said that he would not declare tn at
the Chair had eyaded areply TO his question. The
Chair had not concluded his answer, and would
recognize the fact that he was under an-obllgation
10 submit the question TO the House,
The SpeakeT-The Chair does not understand
that the gentleman rises TO II new question
Mr. McLanc-I do rise to new question of
privilege. am avoiding disrcspectlul express
sion when | refrain from saying that the Chair
evuded the point at ISSUE The question rise to
now Is that the Chair failed in its obligation to
submit the question to tho House,
The Speaker-The gentleman viii give atten-
Mr. McLane-I am entitled to be heard by the
Speaker, and have that respect for the Chair and
tor my brother members that am sure that Will
be permitted to state my case.
The speaker-Ihe Chair desires to state, If he
understands the gentleman to make the point
question Of privilege TO the House, that that Is
wholly matter of discretion,
Mr.. MCLune appealed from the decision but
subsequently withdrew his appeal and Mr.. Kenna,
rising to question ofprlyilege, offered the follow
/ iugresOlution:
Resolvcd That the rights and duties the Speaker
Ofths House are defiued by the rules OF the House
ana by general parliamentary law not in conflict
herewith, and by virtue of said rules aud under said
law the speaker enjoys no privilege to reprmand
| or In pursuance Of its Instructions.
RESOLVED, That any attempt 10 exercise such power
expressly condemlcd aud viii DO promptly resisted
and otherwise dealt with, as tho rights dignity, and
duties OF this House may require.
| Mr. Knuun I'm pfiariuQ this resolution said
| am prompted by II feeling of no character other
| than a disposition 10 assert the prerogatiyes OF
| this House and It's membership. In my judgment,
| as In the Judgment Of the House, the proposition
asserted by the Speaker yesterday Is an untenable
| of going on the record in reputation of II, That
| is all desire TO say,
The spoaker-The Chair desires to state that II
Is ofopinion that the gentleman from West Vir-
ginia Is mistaken in regard TO all that took place
| Yesterday as to this matter,
Mr. Kenna-l trust the whole House is in pre-
| clsely the same attitude.
| The Speaker--After all that has been said there
| should be no Misunderstanding because the Chair
| never has proposed TO assume the power of the
| House in furnishing q member for past disorderly
| conduct but he only asserts his right as prosld-
ing officer TO preserve order and TO do all that IL
| necessary within parliamentary law, to that end
| The duty in settled, not only by long paYliGment-
ary usage, but by the positive terms of our rules
| The Chair used the word "reprimAnd" In It's or.
din0ry and proper sense, and not its technical
stood ITO repHmand" Is to check and TO repres
| n member who Is out OF order, Beyond this
presiding officer should not 20 In ad
ministerlng u reprm0ndi less than this thI
Chair cannot do aud discharge his dut!
10 the House, The Chair never assumes TO reprt
mand member for what he has done that Is 70
the House. The Chair should check repress. o
repriInRnd any member for persisting in proceed