The Washington times., 1913-04-21

the House TO protect itself and its mem
bers, for il has the constitutional riSht
to do so. If those privileges have not
been invaded. then the committee
should so report. As for myself. | re
serve an opinion at this time until the
facts. are officially known"
Congressman Sheriev >aid he hoped
the committee would make the report
revealing clearly the powers of the
House in such matters in order that
the House might know. and the public
might know. what responsibility rested
upon the legislative branch OF Congress
to maintain its constitutional rights.
Congressman Cooper asked Mr.. Gar
rett if Congressman Sims was unable
physically. to present his own COM
plant.
There is no contention here that the
attacked member is physically unab BILE
to bring this matter to the attention
of the House, complained Mr.. Cooper.
why should we take il uD in the alb
sence of such complaint. and act merely
on newspaper reports and current ru-
mor?"
this fact necessitated the appointment
of committee. and that when the COM
mittee reported the House would have
official information upon which to take
further action in regard to Banker
Glover. The resolution was then adopt
ed.
The House from time to time has con-
Quoted contempt hearings-although
none of them has been Of recent date
but the case of Houston and StanberrV.
in 1882, is the nearest approach in de-
tail to the Glover-Sims fracas Hous-
ton was arraigned. tried ana reprimand-
ed for striking Congressman Stanberry
because of words the latter used IN de-
bate on the floor.
Slapped Him Twice.
Mr.. Glover accosted Mr.. Sims in
Farragut square last Friday and
slapped him twice. The two COM
batants say the attack was because of
two speeches Mr. Sims delivered upon
the floor, in which the Tennessee men,
ber questioned the motives of the
banker in attempting to dispose of real
estate holdings to the Federal Govern
ment
Friends of the assaulted member
have demanded contempt proceedings
against Mr.. Glover under that clause
of the Constitution which provides
that members of Congress shall not
be held accountable elsewhere for
words said on the floor.
As enumerated in The Times yester-
day, the records show that from the
foundation of the Government there
have from time to time been occasions
bar of the House and tried for strik-
ing member for refusing to answer
questions propounded by a Congress
sional committee or for refusing to
answer a summons of the House.
No Decision.
There is no decision of the SupremA
Court-at least for the past fifty .fears
on the exact powers of the House to
punish for contempt, although such de-
cisions as exist are inclined 10 Eold that
the House has plenary powers. The
Glover-Sims case probably will reach
the highest tribunal through writ OF
habeas corpus proceedings, if the House
orders the arrest of the millionaire as
sailant of the Tennessee member.
Twelve members of the House. in
cluding several of its best parliament
tary experts, met in conference at the
Capitol Yesterday and mapped out a
line of proceduce for the preliminary
stages of the proposed inquiry. 1t was
first suggested that Mr.. Glover should
be brought before the bar of the House
forthwith. Finally. the consensus of
opinion seemed to be that owing TO the
unusual nature of the case a select COM
mittee should be named to recommend
to the House the proper course in con-
Quoting the contemplated trial.
Congressman Garrett now has in mis-
possession written statement fur
nished by Mr.. Sims regarding the de-
tails of the Farragut square fracas.
Mr. Sims himself did not rise 10 a
question of personal privilege, but men,
bers of the Tennessee delegation and
other stickIers for the dignity OF the
House determined that the Glover at
tack should not go unnoticed. and they
demanded A sweeping inquiry and a
final determination of whether a mem.
Der of Congress may be held account
able by citizen for words spoken by
that member in his legislative capacity.