The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-07
A TAusr.
Mr.. Townes offered the following;

| w HtIt1s Illp tGUtAAt <h71's'f's VI u
ginia Is fully impressed with the import
ance OF establishing Its supremacy over the
judiciary and executive departments OF
Government, by inspiring the former with
q wholesome dread OF the power with
which the people have invested their rep
resentatives, and by giving 10 the latter
clear evidence that the uenerai Assem-
bly, will brook no opposition 10 Its will;
and whereas the press OF public business
makes il expedient that there should be a
special JOINT committee charged with the
duty OF proposing such further leglslition
as shall be requisite to accomplish such
desirable results,
Resolred Qbe House concurring), That
a joint committee OF two on the part OF the
Senate and three on the part OF the House
be appointed, whose duty II shall be to in
quire and report what furtner legislation,
II any, can be devised for more etectually
convincing the judiciary that they must
conform their sentiments and Official ac-
tions to the political views OF the majority
OF the General Assembly, and the Gov
ernor that he is expected aud required to
approve and sign all bills sent to him by
the General Assembly.
Mr.. Koiner said that the resolution was
ali insult to this Senate srd General AS
sembIy. He moved to dismiss 1t, aud that
such further proceedings be taken as the
dignity of the Senate requires.
Mr.. Meredith said:
had hoped that the majority would
treat very gingerly and tenderly the gen.
tleman from Mecklenburg, as he told us
not long ago that whenever he left home
IN his county he vas afraid he would never
return except in his coffin. presume the
gentleman who so lately was afraid to go
abroad lest some dire disaster should be-
fall him has now pIucked up courage to
come to the Senate, and, according to my
mind, offer a paper which is an insult to
every member of this body, whether OF
the majority or minority.
Mr.. Townes: didn't mean any insult.
I said was elected twice before | got in,
and that this other gentleman (Rue) was
elected twice. 1t seemed to me the majority
were doing the same thing again. / hope it
nav please the Senate to allow me to with
draw the paper.
Mr.. Meredith The gentleman's explana-
ton
Mr.. TOwnes Let me withdraw it.
The Chair The gentleman has no right
to make motion to withdraw while an
other gentleman (Mr. Meredith Is on the
floor.
Mr.. Meredith: The gentleman's expla-
nation adds insult to injury. | repeat,
this is an insult not only to the majority.
but to every member. The resolution con-
tains matter which, in a bill or answer in
chancery. court would determine highly
improper. Ii is an insinuation intended
to overshadow all the laws OF decency.
This resolution requires investigation. /
think i may say the gentleman ought to be
expelled. II had introduced such pa
per rejecting upon the minority | should
l-expect such fate, and would deserve it.
| will not insist upon that point, but l do
insist the Senate shall protect its dignity
and self-respect.
Mr.. Townes protested that he meant no
insult; that the resolution was handed to
HIM, aud that after casual reading OF II
be offered il.
Mr.. Wickham said he hoped, after che
explanation. that the gentleman would be
permitted to withdraw the resolution.
Mr.. Heaton hoped that the matter would
be referred to q committee. He considered
the resolution insulting.
Mr.. Meredith asked for the name OF the
party who handed the resolution TO Mr.,
Townes.
Mr.. Townes S,id that ho never would
disclose the name. He had stated the facts.
He meaut no offence.
Mr.. Meredith said that ii he mad offered
such a paper here he would either give
the name OF the writer or assume all re-
sponsibility himself. Ns.A
Mr.. Townes answered. Every well y;
that he would assume all responsibility
he could not give away his friend-at the
same time expressly disclaiming all pur'
pose TO give offence, and declaring that he
did not know that there was any insulting
matter in it. ssN -
Mr.. Wickham thought the gentleman
MIR. Townesl had done all that one gentle
man could ask from another.
Mr.. Koiner, in view OF the fact that Mr.
Townes is new member, and probably
did not know the rules. was willing to for
give him.
Mr.. Meredith, too, was willing to allow
the matter to drop, so far as Mr.. Townes
was concerned.
Mr.. Wingield: / wish TO say that 1t ap-
pears that q senator on this floor has pre-
sented paper, OF which he didn't know
the contents; that paper was handed to
him by an outsider; that paper when read
is an insult TO every member here.
Mr.. Townes: Let me interrupt you. Mol
an outsider; done as joke at me. | sup
pose il was Just poking fun at me.
Mr.. Wingfield: / understand from the
Senator it was not handed to him by an
outsider?
Mr.. Townes: BY a member on this floor
Mr.. Wingfield: IL seems some member o
this body imposed upon this new mem
ber.
MIR. wickham Made cat's-paw o.
him?
Mr.. Wingfeld: Made 4 cat's-paw (as
hear suggested around me) OF this new
member to bring in this paper, which
on its face, is an insult to the Senate.
Think il due to this body, and the gen.
tleman owes it to himself to bring that
member before the Senate, and let him rs.
sumo the responsibility that attaches to his
act. supposed when i first rose that
some outsider was the author OF this act OF
contempt to the General Assembly. Now,
1t appears he IS member OF the Senate.
1t Is due 10 the gentleman (Mr. Townes,
that he should place the responsibility
where it properly belongs.
| Mr.. Townes: Would you do 1t, siry
Mr.. Wingfield: would.
Mr.. Nilasgow: i cannot see how any
member can poke the paw OF this member
into the fire and stand by and let him suf'
fer. II he is q man he will ayow 1t.
Mr.. Rogers: / handed that paper to the
gentleman. 1t was written by an outsider,
who wished me to hand it to the gentle
man. didn't think there was anything
| insulting IN the Senate,
Mr. Berry: DO you know who wrote it !
Mr.. Rogers: A gentleman handed 1t to
me.
Mr.. Heaton: hope the petition Of the