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

wanted to speak now II bis privilege TO make the
fullest statement be could postpone doing 50 ill m
% On notion ii bAyirg been decided that he mightb
Mr. Smonton stated that be was ready to answer and
answer He begged the House TO believe he bad
vain ambition appear before them at this time and Ia
this manner. He speaker no lawyer, but men,
Der Of the pres uuaccustoed to address public bodies
meengs Feeling, however an unshaken reliance on the
truth of the position he had taken, and firm conviction
of its Justice he should the path OF duty according
to the convictions of bis own conscience TO the end he
thought gentlemen who addressed tne House To-Day had
was glad 10 believe IT, He would not complain Of the
committee for they had treated him with Kindness They
executing the order oil the House according 70 Their
convictions of duty and 1t rot for him to complain
One of the first and radical mistakes they made In
presuming-and ii stated 10 the House-that this
investigation depended on something ne nau written and
published He begged here to repudiae that altogether
Gentlemen must he aware If they look at the crcum-
stances surrounding the adoption Of the resolution, that
there such basis and II they go little further
and take the letter published the New York Daily Times
of the 9th of janhhry under the initial Of his NAME he
would find il contained Btthng be was sure, that woul
Justify any such proceeding gentleman rose Ia lis
nlace and moved the appointment Of committee Of H.
vestgaiion based on general rumors ana statements IN
newspapers his alone He thought that without es
cepton all the members who took the floor on that occ
sion dec ared that they placed reliance newspaper
Each and man sneered at the press aud
said they not to look at such statements But
Smonton moral convictions and then the House acted
almost man, and ordered the investigation. The
investigation not based ON anything he had said
written and the responsibility for its truth did not rest on
his shoulders.
He wished to say, as American citser that be ed
deavorcd TO make his conduct comport with the law and
that no or body OF could sustain the proposition
that he was to be treated independent of law Sol
would be perceived that his action in the premises was to
be judged by law he understood IT. or as II Is deemed
exist He believed that the House had no just power TO
punish for contempt Gentlemen had suggested arguments
to show the positive state Of facts They have read the
law of os and of more recent date which gives
the committee certain judicial powers and this basis
they all the powers of the judiciary and claim the
right hold accordance with the principles oflaw
but upon the pse dzt Of this House He stood there
by that cause in the coDsituton which declares
that no shall be deprived of his liberty except by due
process of law and he at this hour deprived Of bis
liberty by due process of law, why did not some one pro-
claim the law He charged with Inconsistency IN
having refused 70 violate confidence and for having stated
the committee that he had knowledge OF certain ac
and there evidence hat be had made charges Inn
pcatng members OF Congress He not that the
committee had particle oproo that he had made charges
for which he responsible He maintained that he had
the right to receive the confidence OF gentlemen for his
own purposes aud had volunteered charges against
anybody lie had made specific charges that Congress
was corrupt lie had merely stated that he had moral
convictions that co-ruptions existed in Congress After
speaking for some time he concluded by stating that he
had nothing further to say except to ask to be heard BY
counsel.
Mr. HARRIS submitted the following preamble and reso
luton
. Whereas J. w. Smonton has failed to the que.
tons put to him by the House, and has not purged himself
of The contempt, Therefore,
Reoioed That the Sergeant Arms hold the said j. ".
Smonon in custody and place him in close confinement in
the Jail until be shall have answered the questions
pro pounded to him By the committee.
After further detatr;
Mr. ORR submitted the following resolution as sub.
stitute:
j. W. Snonton having appeared AZ The bar Of the House
according to its order and the assigned for the
tempt being insufficient: Therefore,
Reolred, That tie said j. w. Simonon be continued In
close custody by the Sergeant Arms 10 his absence, by
Mr. w. Is. Flood, during the balance Of this session.
until discharged By the further order Of this House. ob be
when he shall have purged hmref of bis contempt
by testify ing before said committee.
The question first taken upon the substitute and
II was agreed to--yeas lz0, nays II.
Aud then the resolution, amended, agreed to.
Mr.. ORR moved to reconsider The vote by which the
resolution was adopted, and TO lay that motion upon the
table.
Pending which after further debate, at five O'Clock the
House adjourned.