Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-17
HOUSE.

Immediately after the reading OF the
journal Mr.. McLane rose TO question OF
privilege. The question that he made was
that the Speaker, in the language addressed
to the gentleman from Mississippi, has ill.,
vaded the privileges of the House, and sub
sequently had entertained motion to adj
iourn before he had responded to the ques-
lion OF privilege raised by him [McLanel.
The Speaker eplied that the gentleman was
in error At the time The House adjourned
last night the whole matter had been sus-
pended, and the Chair had made such answer
as he desired.
Mr.. McLane said he would not declare
that he had evaded reply to his question.
The Chair had not concluded his answer,
and would recognize the fact that he was
under an obligation TO submit the question
to the House.
The Speaker-The Chair does not under
stand that the gentleman rises to a new ques-
ton.
Mr.. McLane-I do rise to a new question
OF privilege l am avoiding disrespectful
expression when | refrain from saying that
the Chair evaded the point at issue. The
question | rise now &c is, that the Chair failed
in its obligation to submit the question 10 the
House.
The Speaker-The gentleman will give at
tentioD.
Mr.. McLsne-I am entitled to be heard by
the Speaker, and L have that respect for the
Chair and for my brother members that |
am sure l will be permitted to state my case.
The Speaker-The Chair desires to state
that ii he understands the gentleman to make
the point that it was the duty of the Chair to
submit the question of privilege to the House,
that that i wholly matter of discretion.
Mr.. McEaue appealed from the decision,
but subs quently Withdrew his appeal. and
Mr.. Kenna rising TO a question OF privilege,
of ID Tho following rs5DluIIOus-
Res0lrcd, That the hts and duties OF the
Speaker Uf this House are defined by the
rules OF the House and by general pariia-
meutary law not IN conflict Herewith; and
by virtue Of said rules aud under said law
the Speaker enjoys no privilege 10 reprimapd
and censure a member, except by action OF
the Hohse or in pursuance OF its instructions.
Resoired, That any attempt to exercise such
power is a breach OF the privileges OF the
House and Is hereby expressly condemned,
and will be promptly resisted and otherwise
dealt with as the rights, dignity and duties
of this House may require.
Mr.kenna, in offering the resoi utions, said:
81 am prompted by feeling OF no character
other than disposition TO assert the preroga-
tives Of this House and It's membership. In my
judgment, as in the judgment OF the House,
the proposition asserted by the Speaker yes
terday is an untenable one, and this side Of
the House is at least desirous OF going on
record IN reputation OF IL. 1hat Is all L
desire to say"
The Speaker-The Chair desires 10 state
that it is of the opinion that the gentleman
from West Virginia is mistaken in regard to
all that took place yesterday as 10 this
matter.
Mr.. Kenna-I trust the whole House is in
precisely 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
powers of the House IN Furnishing a member
for past disorderly conduct but he only as
serts his rights as presiding officer to pre-
serve order, and to do all that Is necessary
within parliamentary law TO that end. That
duty is settled, not only by long parlia-
mentary us9ge, but by positive terms OF our
rules. The Chair used the word repri-
mand" in its ordinary and proper sense, and
not IN lis technical sense. Its meaning Is
well defined and well understood. 10 rep
rimand" Is TO check and to repress a member
who is out Of order beyond this the presid-
ing officer should not go IN administering
reprimand less than this the Chair cannot
do and discharge his duty to the House.
The Chair never assumes to reprimand
member for what he has done, that Is Tor the
House. The Chair should check, repress,
or reprimand any member Tor persisting
in proceeding out Of order. Tue Chair de-
sirss to repeat, that in all that took place
Yesterday: in all that vas said, he never I'M
dertook TO reprimand a member for any past
act. But if TO call TO order il to reprImand,
the Chair simply did what the rules required