Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-17

WASHINGTON, March 6.-Representative
Black, of Georgia, whose health has been
improving slightly for the past two days, is
again In a critical condition to night.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
10 the House, Immediately after
the reading of the journal, Mr..
McLane, of Maryland, rose to a
question of privilege. The question he
raised was that the Speaker, in language
addressed to the gentleman from Mississippi
(Mr. Money!, had invaded the privileges Of
the House. and subsequently had enter
tained motion to adjourn before he had
responded to the question of privilege raised
by him (Mr. McLane.)
The Speaker replied that the gentleman
was in error. At the time the House ad-
journed last night the whole matter had
been suspended, aud the Chair had made
such answer as he desired.
Mr.. McLane said he would not declare
that the Chair had evaded q reply to his
quw ton. Tae Chair had not concluded bis
answer and would recognize the fact that he
was under obligation to submit the question
to the House.
The Speaker-The Chair does not under
stand that the gentleman rises to new
question.
Mr.. McLane-I do rise to new question
OF privilege. | am avoiding disrespectful
expression when refrain from saying that
the Chair evaded the point at issue. The
question l rise to now is that the Chair
failed IN fits obligation to submit the ques-
tion to the House.
The Speaker-The gentleman will give
attention.
Mr.. McLane-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 that l will be permitted to state
my case.
The Speaker-The Chair desires to state,
II he understands the gentleman to
make the point that it was
the duty of the Chair to submit the ques-
ton of privilege to the House, that that is
wholly matter of discretion.
Mr.. McLGne appealed from the decision
hut subsequently withdrew his appeal, and
Mr.. Kenns, Of West Virginia, rising to a
question Of privilege, offered the following
resolutions:
RESOLVED, That the rights and duties of the
Speaker OF this House are defined by the
rules of the House, and by general parlia-
mentarY law not in conflict Herewith, and
by virtue of said rules and under said law
the Speaker enjoys no privilege to reprt-
maud and censure a member except by
action of the House or in pursuance of its
instructions.
ResOlyed, That any attempt to exercise
such power is a breach OF the privileges of
the House, 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 these resolutions,
said: 81 am prompted by a feeling of no
character other than disposition to assert
the prerogatives of this House aud its mem
bershtp. In my judgment, as in the judg-
ment Of the House, the proposition asserted
bv the Speaker yesterday is an uutenable
one, and this side of the House, at least, Ia
desirous OF going on record in reputation
oft. That is all l desire to say"
The Speaker-The Chair desires to state
that It is Of the opinion that the gentleman
from West Virginia is mistaken in regard
to all that took place Yesterday as to this
matter.
MIR. Kenna-I trust the whole House is
IN precise ely the same attitude.
The Speaker then explained that he had
used the word ''reprimand" yesterday in
the sense Of calling to orders member who
persisted in proceeding out OF order, that
be had in no manner intended to imply his
right or intention to reprimand or punish
a member for past acts, that the Record this
morning did him injustice in not showing
that the gentleman from Mississippi was
out of order when called to order by the
Chair, and concluded as follows: "There is
nothing in this proposed resolution that the
Chair would not himself subscribe to on the
floor and vote for, II anybody assumed the
duties and powers OF the House in the
matter OF administering reprimsnd."
Mr.. Kenna-It l had so understood the
Speaker yesterday, and IL this side had so
understood him, the resolution would not
have been presented, and / ask permission
to withdraw It.
Leave was granted amid applause, and
the matter was dropped.
The House then resumed consideration o.
the Chinese bill, and was addressed by Mr..
Willis, of Kentucky, who congratulated
the people of California and the people of
the whole country that they were al last to
receive substantial il not entire relief
from the evils or Chinese immigration.
Mr. Belmont, of New York, offered the
following resolution, which was agreed to:
ResOlped, That the Committee on Foreign
Affairs be directed to demand from Jacob
r. Shipherd, OF New York, copies OF all
correspondence between himself and any
person or persons whatever, and all other
evidence in bis possession, tending TO show
what said Shipherd did or attempted to do
to enforce the claims Of the Peruvian Com.
pany or to induce the United States to en-
force these claims against Peru.
Mr.. King, of Louisiana, presented a pc
tition from the people of Louisiana relating
to the overflow of the Mississippi river.
The Senate concurrent resolution looking
to the settlement Of Ncaraguan claims was
adopted.
Adjourned.