New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-22
--AsnEs=-s~---------- =, Ia haa tha Latter In
Sneaker ths. pursuant 10

a a 4. .I.tfa~ IN
speaker that pursuant to - Wv
csstcdy ,..>I
Mucb interest wss evinced during this proceeding.
The SPEAKER said the Ssrgeantat Arms would
taIe Mr. smouton before the select Sommittee-
ar ORR vas willing that Mr. Sun lnton should
-, LeGnre Il TO purge himself Of contempt.
NJ BURNETT denied the power Of the Speaker to
fsue such an order. .oeu.rr H. c,
Mr. HUMPHREY MARSH Ina IL, .1e speaker
Aocided what il to be done With the accused
re- SPEAKER-The Chsir has directed the Ser
gsant-stA Arms TO hold him in custody until the House
fhau otherwise direct.
Seyer,I gentlemen, amid confusion end6svored 10
address the House, but the floor assigned 10
MI JONES Tenn, who said that the Sergeste at
Auns having executed the Speakers warrant had ar
rested 5nd produced Mr. Smon'on at the bar Of the
House and he submitted whether 1t was within the
power and jurisdiction Of the Speaker 10 order the Ser
eeant- arms TO tabe this out and keep him in
custody an indefnite period Of time.
The SPEAKER have made no such order
Mr. JOEES-The witness " here and If he wishes
to snswer TO the charge be has the right -.
The SPEAKER-The House can take such order IL
il wishes.
heard and 10 justification of mis- voting against the
resolution Ior the arrest Of Mr. SimoDtOn, SAID among
other things there not tribunal m tins country
where a party could be deprived OF his liberty and
nun,shed without due process OF law; hence he had
1itLad IA know the law which the Committee based
heir action in reporting that resolution. He desired
The investigation to be through. Here was the place
the KiLeFb 10 purge lue DccAuse III was
already guilty OF It.
Dir. DAVIS Md said tina, they must dispose of the
prisoner ia some way. lie was now before the House
on process of attachment. He offered resolution
directing the Speak 70 show cause why be shoud not
be con mted for his refusal TO answer the questions
propounded by the Committee as stated in their
IOIt, end that he have till tomorrow morning to make
bis answer, and meanwhile to remain in the custody Of
the Serge snt-at-arms.
Mr. COJFAX agreed with Mr. Davis that the wit
pese should have answered the questions, but he was
An eriCan citizen, and should be heard IN defense
either in person OF by counsel Voices That's right
Mr. WASHBURNE Me- did not understand Mr..
Davis resolution TO prevent Mr. SimOntOn from being
heard cow but only gives him the privilege ill to-
morrow morning.
Aner further debate the following was offered by Mr..
ORR ard adopted. by Yeas, 1856; Nays, %:
Rr'dired That TIE speaker do forthwith inform Mr. j.
sont9n Of the charge on which be asd and Ps1pofna
beT shall be had against for alleged
t tif%P'' ''' ~ ''' '''1
Mr. Smonton took his position 10 the main aisle.
Cries Of Clown in 'front.' y " Take your sests;'
The profound silence which followed was broken
by the SPEAKER, who informed him the reason for
bis ARREST.
The Clerk having the report of the Committee the
SPEAKER then asked Mr. SmOnton the question
contained in the resolution.
Mr.. SIMONTON said if consistent with the views OF
the HoUsc, he should be glad to occupy their attention
for few minutes, and then If they deem it necessary
10 proceed further he would like TO have the Opportu
nifty to cOneult and employ counsel.
The SPEAKER informed him that it was bis privi-
iege TO be heard.
Mr. LETCHER understood that Mr.. Simonton was
here 10 answer questions, and not to make speech.
Messs. SAVAGE, STEPHENS and HUMPHREY
MARSHALL severally cOntended that Mr.. Smontons
replies should be in writing, and under osth.
Mr. GROW insisted that the accused should be
heard in his way.
Mr. SIMONTON, the House having decided that he
might BE heard orally proceeded TO say that he should
puTsue the path of duty according to the convictions
rfi a nvvne
and radical mistakes made was the staten ent ID 81 TINS
investigate depended on something he had written
and published. He repudiated thai altogether. Ills
letter published in The NsV York Daily Times, Jan
g. contained nothing 20 justify such proceedings. lie
denied that the House had any right to punish him Tor
contempt. lie stood there protected by the Con
,ttution which declares that "nO citizen shall
abe deprived of his liberty without due process
of law" There was no evidence that ne had
made the charge duplicating members OF THIS House.
Certain gentlemen came and bound him TO secresy, ne
not knowing what they had to communicate lie pad
right 10 receive their confidence and had not volun.
teertd charges against any bosy which should make
necessary that be should violate confidence Having
become morally convinced teat corruption dld exist ne
felt his right as member Of the press TO denounce 1t
He had stated to the Committee that he had
no peIsonal knowledge OF the TACT. was II
right, be having no G9rroooIating testimony, 10 10
defense Of his position. The Speaker asked him II he
had ansibipg fJrther to say Mr.. Simonton replied
potbiDp. except 70 be heard by counsel. .,
MesIe CIINGMAN, tlAhhlo I'M ohu oiihh
MAN seyerally offered resolutions that Mr. Slnonton
be taken into custody by the Sergeant,at Arms aud
imyrison him. The first named proceeded to show
that Mr. Simopton had made statements 10 DAY lacon-
Fstent with what be had said before the Committee
Mr. BOYCE proposed resolution declaring It was
beneath the dignity of the House further to concern
themselves with the matter before them, and that
Mr. Simonton be no longer privileged to occupy re-
portere desk in the House.
Mr. ORR said if this resolution should be adopted
he should feel himself obliged 10 be discharged from
further duty on the Committee. He then offered the
following
HAereg w simonton having appeared at the bar OF tss
lIouse according order and the causes assigned LOT
contempt being insutfoient therefore, 49,, /, -.
Resorsd Thst said j. w. SimontOn be continued IN oioeo
custody by Arms for the balance OF the session
or discharged the further order OF the House 10 nc
faken when be shall purse himself Of contempt
Ths resolution was adopted in lieu of all others by
vote of 10 against Il.
The Sergespt-at- Arms then secured his prisoner.
Mr.. SMITH (As.(, offered 8 resolution proposing
that the Clerk call the roll and each member answer 10
bis name and indicate whether not he is willing to
release Mr.. SmOnton.
The SPEAKER decided that wa, not aquestien Of
privilege.
The House then adjourned.