The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-22


sent Of the Senate introduce Joint resolution that the
vacancies in the Board Of Regents of the Smithsonian In
supon Oh The class other than members Of Congress be
hed by the resppointmen of the late nculnbents viz
Richard Rush, Of Philadelphia and Joseph O. Totten Of
Washington which was read three times and passed
NAVAL DEPOT IN aEosail
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration of the
bill from the House of Representatives authorizing the
adjustment Of naval depot Blythe island a. Drums
"'A ~ 'ne coAs' ueorga and for other purposes The
fsoang question was on the motion OF MI Mallory TO
recommit the Bill TO the Committee Naval Affairs.
long discussion ensued in which Messrs. BlGGS,
EVANS, HALE and BELL, of Tennessee, participated
but without taking the question: the Senate went into
eeutive session. and shortly afterwards adjourned,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The SPEAKER stated that the first business In order
was the reception OF reports from the various committees
relative to territorial business that being the special order
for this day
THE rRivihEdEs OF riE HOUSE.
Mr. ORR Of South Caroline, rose to question affecting
the privilege IF the House He stated that he was nsrct
ed By the select eemnee appointed to Rsesteate certain
charges oil corruption &, the refusal Of James w ST.
monitor 10 give evidence before that committee to submit
report resolution and BILL and he should ask the im-
mediate consideration Of the tier.
The report then read, and ia as follows
The select ooitites aprcib.sd to investigate charges
that members Of the House had entered into corrupt
passage of certain during the present Congress-
respectfully submit the following special report
That during the progress OF their Investigation they had
summoned witness J. w. Smonton the onden
of the New York Times that among Others the folio wing
question propoinded - him "you state thh certain
members have approached you, and have desired to know
IL they could not through YOU procure money for their
votes upon certain bills will You state who these
bers were andthe said Simonton made thereto the fol-
lowing response 81 cannot without violation of conf
dence than which would rather suffer anything In
Spouse to either questions Of similar import he said Two
hafe made theh direct oilers have Indicated des Ire to
talk with me upon these subjects and have warded 1t
tbn tt,ntfr -n1is
proposition" TO the Question: "Wbat do understand you
to mhaa whes you say these communications made d.
rec?" Smonon replied IL mean that after having obtained
promise ofsecrey nregard to them they have said to
that certain pending before Congress ought to
pay that parties interested in them had the to
pay that they Individually peedl money and that they
Desired specifically arrange the matter in such away
that il the passed they should receive pecuniary
Compensation, The committee were impressed with the
aeriay Of the testimony withheld by the Witness as IT
embraced The letter ana spirit OF the inquiry directed by
the House TO be made, but anxious to avoid
roversy with the witness they consequently waived tie
nterrogatoy thai day 10 give tie witness time for reec
ton the consequences Of his refusal and to afford him
opportunity to look into the law aud the practice Of the
House In such cases notifying him that he would on
subsequent day be recalled This the 18th Of anua "
hsaht
On Tuesday the 10th inst the said j. W. Smonton was
recalled, and the identical question first referred to
again propcunded after due notice to him that If he de-
clned the committee would feel constrained to report his
defamation TO The House, and ash that body To enforce all Its
powers in tie premises 10 copel full and complete
sponbe To that ntefroga6ry be made the following re-
e ,siaontoh In this teoF. lie Sid Before Stating the
determination to which have On this subject de-
sire to say that do not here dispute the power Of the
committee, and have not heretofore declined ID an
swtr Il at QUESTION upon any stch ground have all
respect foc tie ccnmittee and the House. | do not
decline In order 10 screen the members; my decna-
| tion was based upon my own convictions OF duty.
Since last before the committee, in Difference to
their Judgment and wishes, have examined the case
of Anderson Dunn to which they referred me- and have
hat, tn Tnf al
decision as well as in view OF Other The
result of my deliberations the subject has been to
firm me in the opinion that whatever penalty may suffer,
cannot that question. beg the committee TO
understand that have other motive whatever in de.
clining but simple that have stated befotethat
do not how can answer it without dishsnorabe
breach of confidence The answer 10 the question can by
possibility be supposed to reflect discredit ny self
aud presume that ihy statement of that motive
roborated BY the facts they appear btfre the committee
must insist upon declining 10 answer that question
The House will perceive that the foregoing statement
shows the materially Of the testimony ard the duty of
the committee to insist upon lis disclosure. 1t shows
| the settled and deliberate purpose OF the witness
to withhold such testimony ightuly snd properly de-
manded and the absolute necessity for tue House to inter-
pose with prcmpi,ude and rmness its authority if il in
tended to expose and punish corruption which may exist
among its members by ordering tie investigation your
committee have been pursuing. II is due to the dignity
and reputation OF the American Congress to purge ic
such unworthy members they have thus shameiessy
pgosuted their high and hcnored positions 10 such base
purposes The country has the right to know who have
tho trusts c0phded them
The honest OF the House should aid by the exercise
all the powers with which they vested, to The
of the supposed guilty parties and thereby shield
the general reputation of The body, well their
charnctera from unjust and improper mpuation and
! picion.
The committee consider il unnecessary to enter into an
elaborate Argument to establish the power of the House in
| this The summons issued under the hand of The
Speaker and tested by the Clerk Of the House. and the
contumacy of the witness contempt OF that authority
IL there is doubt whether this authorizes the of the
| in
is purged b,s des the right inct other punishment
terwards it sems to your committee that will ques
ton the authority OF the House when they TO the
statute book BY passed Sd May 1903, u S. at
utes Bod authority given the President Of the Senae
the Speaker Of the House OF Representatives chairman
the Committee Of the Whole, chairman Of select
es OF either house, administer oatbs TO witnesses in ans
under their examination and wilfu absolute and alst
swearing before either is declared perjury and punisha
bic SUCH Here is express authority 10 witnesses
and false swearing punishable pr rjury Is IT, then
contempt Of the authority of this House land the commit
tee acting and for the House in this investigation
for witness 10 refuse 10 testify to material facts within
| his knowledge?
The commit unanimously in the opinion tina
the House is clothed with ample power order the party
into custody there to remain until released by the
authority upon the expiration of the present Congress
The committee recommend the adoption of The following
resolution;
Rsooed That the Speaker issue his warrant directed
the Sergeant commanding him. the said Sergeant
aArms take into custody the body the said
Simonton wherever be found, tho forthwith
have before the said House, the bar thereof
for contempt OF the authority of this House,
Mr. ORR then asked that the resolution might esgreed
to-
Mr. MILLSoN of Virginia. stated that he observed from
the reading OF the report submitted by the committee that
the witness declined answering the questions propouned
to him upon the ground that the communications that had