The Washington herald., 1913-04-23

morning and may reach some sort of
conclusion on the question at that
time.
The committee seems inclined to the
opinion that the question is to be settled
rather by interpretations of the Federal
statutes and the Constitution than by re-
sort to presidents in the House. For this
reason members are particularly careful
in looking up authoritative interpreta-
lions of the Constitution as given out in
decisions by the Supreme Court. In this
connection, a statement by Chief Justice
Joseph Story in his Familiar Exposition
OF the Constitution of the United States
is taken as particularly applicable JUS
tice Story says:
THE liberty OF speech and debate is
less to be regarded personal privi-
lege than as public right, to secure in
dependence, Grmness, and fearlessness on
the part of the members so that, in dis
charging their high trusts. they may not
be overawed by wealth or power or dread
of persecution. The same privilege is en-
toyed In the British Parliament, and also,
in the several State Legislatures of the
Union. founded upon the same reasoning"
An amusing incident which at the same
time was Indicative of the intensity with
which Mr.. Glover resented the attitude
expressed by Representative Sims toward
when Chairman johnson. of the House
District Committee, testified that Glover
had regretted. In conversation with him,
that there was "a law in the country
against duelling." Johnson said he
thought at first that Glover wanted to
fight him. but the latter explained that
he referred to Sims.
Mr.. Glover Writes.
Mr.. Glover's letter to the committee,
which was read by Chairman Davis yes
terday, Is as follows:
Il have the honor to acknowledge re-
ceipt of your courteous communication
of the 21st inst, inclosing. for my infor-
nation, an attested copy of House reso-
luton No 50. Sixty-thrd Congress, first
session, proposing an investigation of an
alleged assault committed upon the Hon.
Thetus w. Sims, Representative in
Congress.
II note that your committee will pro-
coed with its duties Tuesday. the I'D
day OF April. 1913, at 1890 o'clock a. nl.,
and also that at the hearing l may at
tend in person or by counsel. / thank
your committee for this privilege.
1T would seem that the purpose Of
your committee in offering this privilege
may well be met by the following state
ment. which / freely and respectfully
submit for the consideration both of your
committee and of the House of Repre-
sentatives:
Anger Caused Blow.
THE preamble of the resolution sets
forth with substantial accuracy the facts
of the incident therein referred to. 1t
is true that in a moment of passion,
moved by what / deemed to be extraor-
binary provocation I, who have the most
profound respect for the law, took the
law into my own hands. 1t is needless
to say that in SO acting / had no inten-
ton to invade any privilege Of the House
of Representatives. or of any of its men,
bers as such; nor. indeed, did / at the
time understand that any claim could
be made that I was so doing.
Being now advised that il is thought
by the House of Representatives, as ex-
pressed in the aforementioned resoIu-
ton, that such action did constitute a
breach of the privileges of the House
and of its members. / desire in the full
est and most emphatic manner to dis
claim any intention of showing disrespect
for the House Of Representatives as a
body, or for its members individually, or
of violating the official privileges Of
either.
Regret Is Expressed.
Loving oecl Gil IKE a lava Dl0lnS
citizen of the National Capital, I great
~ regret this single departure from a
lifelong course of conduct
Though advised that under any fair
and reasonable Interpretation of the con-
illusions announced by the Supreme Court
OF the United States in the case of Kill
bourn against Thompson, 10s U. S. is, the
House Of Representatives is without jur-
isdiction to pursue this inquiry and to
take the action foreshadowed by the res
olution in question. ! have determined,
as the result Of personal reflection, to dis