A GLANCE AT LEGISLATIVE CONTEMPT. By Frank W. Hackf.it. THE dignity of a court presided over by a single judge is seldom in danger of being lowered. The judge has only him self to blame if he permit any occurrence in volving a contempt of his judicial authority to pass without prompt rebuke. Several judges sitting in a row are more or less aweinspiring, and the chances of a show of con temptuous behavior in their presence come to be very remote. When we pass, however, from the region of the bench, and look at the legislative branch of the government we are likely to discover that the occasion for displaying disregard of the law, thus personified, grows somewhat more frequent. There have been people who actually have had the temerity to treat with contempt an entire legislature. They have not been able to do this, how ever, with impunity. It has always been a dangerous business. Possibly the danger has been to some extent the incitement. At all events, daring individuals of this species appeared from time to time on the face of our globe, and left footprints in parlia mentary history as well as cash by way of fine in the public treasury. Not having the volume of Blackstone at hand, I cannot quote; but the student, I think, never for gets with what ardor Sir William throws a halo of awe and reverence around the High Parliament of Great Britain. Men now old will easily recall the impression made years ago by his glowing periods. It would seem as if this elegant writer had provided that the youth of England, against all coming time, shall view the two Houses sitting at West minster, without so much as daring to harbor a suspicion that the august spectacle is not the perennial embodiment of the perfection of human wisdom. By the way, it has been said that to
Edward Everett is due the credit of invent ing the term "in this connection." I would like to borrow it, and remark in this connec tion that an amusing instance has been handed down of the profundity of the belief entertained by the average Englishman of Blackstone's day, in the omnipotence of Par liament. The session of 175 I had provided that the year should begin in future on Janu ary 1, instead of March 25, and that eleven nominal days should be suppressed between September 2 and 1 4. Thinking they had been robbed, the people actually, it seems in many places, cried," Give us back our eleven days!" Yet long before Blackstone lectured, and ever since his day, in spite of all glamour, and notwithstanding the dissemination of these lofty sentiments throughout the realm, we shall sec the Lords and the Commons obliged to deal with divers wretches, who, in flagrant disregard of the settled principles of the English constitution, have snapped their fingers, so to speak, at the order of the House, either pooh-poohing the gentleman usher of the black rod; or, defying the sergeant-at-arms of the puissant Commons; nay, even confronting with force one after another of these exalted officials, while en gaged in executing his respective duties, — all such behavior, of course, being against the peace of our sovereign lord, the King, his crown and dignity, and to the subversion of good morals generally. A long procession of evil-minded persons has marched into the pillory, to do penance for their perverse carriage; or have had the spike-studded doors of the Tower, the Fleet, or of Newgate, thrown wide open to wel come their coming. The reader, who is curious in such matters, is referred to the elaborate work of Mr. May, who has brought together interesting material, that extends
