Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-09
Representative Moon De-
nounces SIapping of Sims
Face as "0astardIy
Crime"
ASSERTS IN HOUSE BANKER
HAD MURDER IN HIS HEART
Mr.. Campbell Speaks in Defense.
Vote on Bringing Him Before Bar
to Be Taken Late This
Afternoon.

Afternoon.
In a bitter invective against Charles ..
Glover. Representative Moon OF Tennes-
see today asked the House of Represents
atives 10 visit a very heavy punishment
upon the banker for what Representative
Moon termed a -dastardly crime"
Representative Moon followed Repre-
sentative Davis of West Virginia. chair
man of the select committee appointed
by the Speaker to investigate the facts in
the Glover-Sims assault case and Ia re
port them to the House with a recon-
mendation, with a speech on the floor OF
the House. While Mr.. Davis argued that
the facts in the case are unassailable
and also that the House has unlimited
right TO protect itself and its members
from assault. from questioning and from
personal annoyance of all kinds because
OF words spoken i'm debate on the floor of
the House, or because of any other con-
gressional business, Representative Moon
went farther. and in the heat OF his argu-
ment made the plain declaration that Nj.
Glover had murder IN hls heart.
Wanted Him to Strike Back
He said the slap in the face was bur
mere technical affront, and that what
Glover really wanted was that Sims
should strikA him back and become =
violent aggressor, and that Gloyel
would then have the right 10 protect
himself by force OF arms.
Defense Of Mr.. Glover was also begun
by Representative Campbell of Kansas.
| who answered the legal arguments =.
Mr.. Davis and the unusual declarations
of Mr.. Moon by saying that the House
has no right 10 sit as Police court
and deprive a citizen of the right VI
trial by jury.
Five hours will be consumed in the
| discussion of the case, two and a hail
| hours on each side of the question. IL
| is believed that about 4:sn O'Clock thir
/ afternoon a vote will be taken. LII the
, House decides 10 bring Mr. Glover before
the bar OF the House there probably VIII
be no difficulty. az Sergeant at Arh-s
4 Gordon had communicated with Glover
\ and 1t is expected that the banker VIII
present himself in the Speakers lobby
Resolution Calls for Arrest.
Representative Davis of West Virginia,
chairman of the select committee, pre-
sented his resolution 10 the Speaker al
the close Of the morning routine busi-
ness OF the House. Ii directed the SpeaA-
er 10 issue a warrant for the arrest ~
{. g Glover for the assault on Repre-
sentative Sims OF Tennessee for words
spoken I'm debate"
Representative Campbell of Kansas
asked for one hour TO speak in opposition
to the resolution. Evidence that a
lengthy battle between lawyers might be
expected appeared. when Representative
Davis asked consent that debate be limit
ed 10 five hours. two and one-half hours
to each side. with Minority Leader Mann
in control of the opposition time.
At 1l:22 O'Clock Representative Davis
"A nhs.faY A
this afternoon vote may be expected.
Davis Outlines Facts.
Mir Davis spoke from the committee
table on the democratic side. Al which
also sat Representatives crisp and
Covington. Representatives Prouty and
Nelson. also members OF the COMMITTEES.
sat In another part OF the chamber.
Representative Davis outlined the
question Of fact as brought out IN the
hearings. including AIR. GloNers writ
ten admission that he slapped Repre-
sentative sims face for words spoken
in debate in the House.
This leaves only the law ~ the cas-
10 bc argued he said
lie said there is no question thar "a
constitutional privilege or The highest
character has been invaded.
Representative Dyer OF Missouri asked
wEathtr The committee had investigated
what Rplr+ ntallAt SlittS ndu edl1 NHltii
caused the trouble. Representative DAVIS
said that he believed that vas imma eiia
Holds Assault Nam Factor.
..The gravam men OF the charge Is the as
salIlt. said Representative slllop of In
diana. mot the speech OF Representative
Sims
Would not The provocation have some
hearing on the assault" asked Repre-
sentative GiIlett OF Massachusetts.
Every member Will have an opportu-
nifty on that score, said Rtpresentative
Davis.
81 protection and exemption of members
Of Congress. 'and those immunities fAf-
a.. the defense and support II every
legislature.
60. fbe founders of the Constitution
knew its Importance. Members al. not
10 lie questioned anywhere Tor their
words spoken in debate, either IN court
or on the highway. The immunity IL not
limited. il extends to the hour OF con-
gressman.s death. and 1t covers all his
congressional activity lt includes ms
notes his action In committee, MS pe-
norris in committee and In one case II
included conversation on the floor.
Explains Reason for Immunity.
Mr.. Davis said the purpose of the CON-
stitutional immunity was to relieve con-
yressmen from all fear of assault or
verbal abuse for words they may have
used
I'VE are not concerned with the i'm
munity which Mr.. Sims enjoys. The rea-
son for the resolution and the special
committee is because the House Is inter
ested in its right to the free participation
in debate by all its members
Mr. Davis said that so long as man
is a part of the House, the House is in
terested in any invasion of the consti-
tutional privileges-"the imperishabie
cloak of immunity''-and that the House
must necessarily take up these viola
tions as they occur
Renresentative Madden tlllinoisD asked
ubat remedy an ex-member has.
Representative Davis said the law
courfs are open TO former members
Delves Into English History.
He went back into English history
ana dug up some English house Of
commons incidents. He explained th"
IIouston case of 1882 wherein Gen. Sam
houston beat up member ana
,roupded him grieyously"