The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-17

specttul expression when l refrain from
saying that the Chair evaded the point at
issue. The question l rise to now is that
the Chair failed in its obligation to submit
the question to the House.
The Speaker-The gentlemen will give
attention.
Mr.. McLane-I am entitled to be heard
by the Speaker, and 1 have that respect for
the Chair and my brother members that l
am sure will be permitted to state my
case.
The Speakcr-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 it is wholly matter Of
discretion.
Mr.. McIane appealed from the decision,
but subsequently withdrew his appeal and
Mr.. Kenna, rising to a question Of privilege,
offered the following:
ReSolrsd, That the rights and duties Of
the Speaker OF this House are defined by
the rules Of the House and by general
parliamentary law not in conflict there
with, and by virtue OF said rules and under
said law the Speaker enjoys no privilege to
reprimand and censure member, except
by the action OF the House, or in pursuance
to its instructions.
ReSolred, That any attempt to exercise
such power is a breach OF the privilege Of
the House and is hereby expressly con.
demned, 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 resolution,
col I NnI i,V .
character other than disposition to assert
the prerogatives Of this House and its
membership. In my judgment, as in the
judgment Of the House, the proposition
asserted by the Speaker yesterday Is an
untenable one and this side Of the House,
at least, is desirous OF going on record in
reputation OF it. That is all ! 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.
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 misu understanding,
because the Chair has never proposed 10
assume power OF the House in furnishing a
member for past disorderly conduct, but
he only asserts his right as presiding off,
Ger to preserve order and do all that ia
necessary within the parliamentary lawto
that end. That duty is settled not only by
long parliamentary usage, but by the posi-.
tive terms OF our own rules. The Chair
used the word "reprimand" in its ordinary
and proper sense, and not in its technical
IA &, 4 4 /
well understood. To "reprimand" is to
check and to repress member
who is ont OF order. Beyond this
the presiding officer should not
go in administering reprimands less; than
this the Chair cannot do and discharge his
duty to the House. The Chair never as.
sumes to reprimaud members for what he
has done, that is for the House. The Chair
should check, repress or reprimand-any
member for persisting in proceeding out
OF order. The Chair desires to say that
in all that took place yesterday, and in all /
that was said, that he never undertook to |
reprimand a member for any past act. But
II TO call to order is toreprimand, the Chair |
simply did what the rules required him to |
do. The highest parliamentary reprimand
known to the Parliament OF England iS |
to mention a members name which puts
them in parliamentary disgrace. This was
not done yesterday, nor was any perIon |
reprimanded beyond calling to order.
The Speaker further stated that the
record this morning did him an injustice
in not showing that the gentleman from
Mississippi was out Of order when called
to order by the Chair. Continuing, he
said, "there is Is nothing in this Proposed
resolution that the Chair would not him
self subscribe to on the floor, and vote for,
II anybody assumed the duties an d pow.
ers Of the House in the manner Of admin.
isteriug reprimaud."
Mr.. Kenna-"Ti had so understood the
Speaker yesterday, and Il this sidc had 50
understood him, the resolution I sent up
would not have beep presented, and I ask
permission to withdraw it.' Leave was
granted amid applause, and the matter
dropped.
The House then resumed the consiSera.
ition Of the Chinese bill,