State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-02
PENNSYLVANIA LEGIS LATURE.

ouh SoiuS vi dt tfle luSt uuteS 1rO IN HATTIE
burg. Thaddeus Stevens, the intrepid
Vermonter, takes the lead as chairman of
the committee, who are empowered to send
for persons and papers. Ex-Gov. Wolf
being summoned, sent sharp reply to the
committee, declining TO appear before them.
Several high masons refused to take the
oath required as witnesses. The following
sketch is from the Harrisburg Telegraph:
THE MASONIC INVESTIGATION,
The committee of investigation met yes
terday afternoon, in the Hall Of the House
of Representatives. The names of the
witnesses subpnned to attend yesterday,
were called over. Joseph II. Chandler
appeared, took the book, but when tho
Chairman said, ''you do swear" he drop
ped il, and asked to have the oath repeated
| to him, which was also done, and no ret;ts4
ed TO StCedr, and wished to state his reasons.
MIR Stevens said the duty of the. committee
was to call upon the witnesses, and when
they refused to testify, to take such steps
as they were bouud to, TO preserve the laws
ofthe country. Mr. Chandler then drew oil,
and read his "protest," and was gpermitted
to retire.
Samuel NJ. Stewart next appeared
drew out his "protest," and read it, and
refused TO be StUorn. MIR. Stevens askedfhim
it he was not one of the officers of the
Grand Lodge, and if he had brought the
books and records of the Lodge that the
subpoena called for. Mr. Stewart replied
that he was Secretary, but had not brought
the books and records, though they were
i'll his possession, and withdrew.
! Charles SnVUpr npYt nnnpornI roEtcoI
to swear TO tell the truth--read his protest
and withdrew.
Samuel ii. Perkins came forward, refils-
ed to take the oath-drew out and read his
/ protest. and withdrew lie was also an
officer of the Grand Lodge, but had not
complied with the conditions';of the sub
pGna, by bringing the books and records OF
the Grand Lodge.
William Stevens came forward, refused
TO take the oath, and drew out his docu-
ment and read it. He was an officer of the
Grand Lodge and had been subpnneG TO
bring the records of the same. He had
taken no pains to bring the records, and
would not.
Josiah Randall came forward, refused TO
swear, read his protest, and retired.
Geo. NJ. Dallass, called.
Mr. Dallas--I am here, lin the back part
ofthe IIal.)
Committee-Mr d. is requested to come
before the committee.
MIR Dallas. | am near enough. Have
they called me by resolution!
Com. Yes. Mr.. ID. then came forward.
| Com. Presenting the book. Will You
take the oath?
Mr. d. What is the oath?
Com. The same us is administered in
courts of justice.
MrD / am not in court of justice.
Com. VIII you take the oath?
Mir ID. No. He then drew ont and read
his protest ut the top of his voice, and in q
SpaGfM manner. When he had done he
threw it down, and with the permission of
the committee retired.
While he was reading an attempt was
made by the masons, TO raise a noise and
riot. This was promptly and effectualIv
put down by Mr. Stevens, who commanded
! the Sergeat-at-Arms, to take into custodya
Mr. Reed from Philadelphia county, who
commenced it. Mr. r. is the same gentle
man who was Familiarity known here last
year as CDR Burdens popgun."
| Charles Stout next appeared, refused 10
sweari read his document and retired.
| Judge Pentland, came forward, took the
book, but refused to take the OATH. drew
out his document and began TO read
The committee asked, as it was long
document, if it would do as well not to
read it, which was permitted.
Robert Christie, appeared, refused TO he
sworn ; said he had signed the protest
read by Judge Pentland, and withdrew.
The committee adjourned to meet 10 day at
three o'clock p. Nj.
The further history of this affair is con-
tanned in the following passage from let
ter of Joseph r. Chandler, Esq. Editor Of
the U. S. Gazette:
"After some other business had been
disposed of, Mr. Stevens from the select
committee appointed TO enquire into the
evils of treemasonry and other secret socie-
ties, made report stating that the COM
mittee had had before them the persons
mentioned in my former reports, who had
all refused to take the oath rendered to
them, and had assigned their reasons, which
with two exceptions, wiz. those of George
Nj. Dallas and the, REV. Mr. Sprole) were in
very respectful language. The report con-
Guided with resolution that all the "pro-
testants," including ex-governor Wolf
should be taken into custody by the Ser
geant alarms, and brought before tho
House to answer for contempt"
The following is the third section of the
Bill introduced by Thaddeus Stevens into
the Pennsylvania Legislature, on the 18th
Of the last month.
"Sec. 3. Freemasonry and Odd-fellow-
ship shall he good cause of challenge to a
juror, on the trial Of any indictment, when
the prosecutor is n mason or odd-fellow
and the defendant is not, or when the de-
PENDANT is mason or odd-fellow; and on