Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-26


heard, and to have counsel on the
charge of being In contempt of the
House Of Representatives for having
violated its privileges. II the said
self of either Of these privileges the
same shall be granted him: IL not, the
House shall thereupon proceed to take
order in the matter"
Defamation Is Opposed.
The report also states:
THE committee also believes that in
reporting on such a grave subject 1t
ought to say that while freedom Of speech
and debate is great vital privilege, and
without that freedom to an unconditional
extent all the other privileges OF either
of the houses of Congress would be prac-
t'cally Intellectual, yet the very existence
and extent of the privilege demands the
greatest restraint in its exercise. No
man, even under the cloak of public neces-
sity and parliamentary power, ought to
have the right wantonly to defame an
other.
"As Mr.. Justice Story very pertinently
says:
Every citizen has as good right to
be protected by the laws from malignant
scandal. false charges and defamatory
imputation as a member of Congress has
to utter them In his seat. IL 1t were
taken away without the possibility of
redress, either by the malice or indis-
erection, or overweening self-conceft of a
member Of Congress-.
Protection for Citizens.
THE House OF Representatives is
vitality concerned with the safeguarding
Of its privileges and the preservation
OF its legislative integrity and dignity.
It Is just as seriously concerned. how
ever, with the maintenance Of such a
course Of conduct on the part of each
of it's individual members as will assure
to every citizen in the land protection
from defamation on the floor OF the
House. The power OF the House over its
members is OF the broadcast character.
The breach of the privileges OF the
House by member gives to the House
ample power Of punishment. It must
come to be understood, therefore. that
as the privileges of the House, In SO
far as the public is concerned. will be
enforced by prompt punishment Tor con-
tempt in the event Of their breach, the
House in the future. as often In the
past, will also fully protect all citizens
from unjust assaults upon their char
acter by censure or other punishment
administered to an offending member
Letter With Report.
"The committee calls attention to the
written communication received from
Mr.. Glover, which will be found in full
in the appendix containing the testi-
mony. accompanying the report.
This letter, 1t will be observed, con-
tains q frank avowal OF fault, and q
voluntary disclaimer of any intentional
mony. however. established the fact
that his act was the result OF some
generalization and design extending
over a period sufficiently long for. him
to have informed himself, il ignorant.
of the privilege Of the House. And his
disclaimer, while full and free in form.
is accompanied by challenge, though
without discourtesy, of the jurisdic-
ton of the House in the premises"
Precedent Established.
The report continues:
"As a result Of the analysis Of the jul
dicial precedent it seems clear that 1t has
been established by the highest court OF
the land that either branch OF Congress
has the implied power and authority to
punish those guilty Of contempt OF
the authority of either house by a breach
Of its privileges, whether the breach is
committed within or without it's cham
Der.
I'm view Of the expressed desire at the
time the resolution under which this
committee is acting was passed, some
what extended examination of the matter
of the privileges of the House has been
made.
I'm addition to the privileges expressly
stated In the Constitution, there Is war
rant for the claim that the House Of Rep
resentatives possesses such additional
and inherent privileges as are necessary
for the preservation Of its own integrity
and the due performance Of its legislative
function. Such are for instance, the
right to protect itself from the offer of
nesses. and to put down. tumult or riot
within it's walls or SO near thereto as to
disturb it's deliberations. but for obvious
reasons 1t has always been deemed I'M
wise to attempt catalogue of these in
herent privileges and powers. and SO long
ago as 1887 the House of Representatives
expressly refused to proceed with bill
defining the offense of contempt of the
House and providing punishment there
for"
Makes No Comment.
Upon his attention being called to the
action taken by the House special COM
mittee Mr.. Glover stated that as he had
not seen q copy Of the committees re-
port he could not reasonably be expected
to make any comment upon it, and even
If he had copy of the report before
him he would deem it improper to ex
press any views concerning it. He. how
ever, said that he gladly took the oppor-
tunity to reiterate the substance Of his
letter of the 22d instant to Chairman
Davis, In which he had earnestly dis
claimed any intention OF showing disre
spect for the House OF Representatives
or any Of its members. or OF violating
the official privileges OF either, and had
no idea that what he had done could be
so construed. and that he sincerely re-
GREETED the single departure. under stress
Of great provocation. from lifelong
course Of conduct
Friends of the banker say that Mr..
Glover has not the slightest idea Of try
ing to evade service Of any warrant or